Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM

Testing of bonding processes and issuing of certifications - an insight into the work of TBBCert

As a key technology of the 21st century, adhesive bonding technology can be applied in many industries and trades. In order to maintain high quality and avoid mistakes in production, the testing of processes plays a major role - and this is exactly where the certification body TBBCert comes in. It certifies adhesive bonding technology processes in companies according to three different standards or guidelines, thus ensuring that production errors are avoided in the first place.

Frank Stein is the head of TBBCert. He already worked for the certification body when it was still located at the Fraunhofer IFAM. In the meantime, it has been spun off as a separate company and employs four permanent employees and 11 additional external auditors. Frank Stein is head and auditor at the same time, which means that he also goes to the companies and audits adhesive technology processes. More than 300 certifications are issued every year, both in Germany and internationally. In an interview he tells us which certifications they carry out, how many certifications are completed per year and what influence Corona has on his daily work.

More than 300 audits are carried out each year in order to issue certifications. About one quarter of these are carried out in German companies, and almost three quarters are distributed internationally.
© © Fraunhofer IFAM
More than 300 audits are carried out each year in order to issue certifications. About one quarter of these are carried out in German companies, and almost three quarters are distributed internationally.

Mr Stein, what certifications can a company obtain from you?

We certify companies according to two adhesive technology standards and one guideline: DIN 2304, DIN 6701 and TLA-0023. DIN 2304 describes the quality requirements for adhesive bonding processes and is the standard for safe bonding in industry and trade. This standard is used in sectors such as the automotive industry, boat and ship building, electrical appliances and electronics industry as well as in the construction industry. There is a separate standard for the rail vehicle sector, DIN 6701, and for about a year now we have also been carrying out certification in accordance with TLA-0023. This guideline describes the adhesive quality requirements for manufacturing and repair companies for military products. In this context, we check the adhesive processes in the field of military technology on behalf of the German Armed Forces / WIWeb (Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Werk- und Betriebsstoffe).

How does certification work? Which steps are to be considered?

First of all, the company must prepare itself on the basis of the certification programmes and standards. Requirements concern, among other things, the determination of the required bonding technology class, the definition of the scope of work in the field of bonding technology and the qualification of personnel. Here, for example, there is also a connection to the Fraunhofer IFAM, where various further training courses from adhesive practitioner to adhesive specialist engineer are held. The requirements can be found in the information material on the TBBCert website. Once the company has prepared itself and implemented the requirements of the respective certification program, a joint appointment will be arranged at the company to be audited. One of our auditors then spends one or two days in the respective company and checks the implementation of the requirements of the certification programme. The following areas, among others, will be considered: Contract review, construction and design, design of the bonding processes, production, storage and logistics and quality assurance. If the company meets all requirements, the corresponding certificate is issued after this audit. The company and the certificate are also published in an online register (www.din 6701.de; www.din 2304.de; www.tla0023.de).

How do you deal with the current situation and the Corona virus? Do you visit the companies anyway and can certifications even be issued online?

Due to the current travel restrictions, we are currently unable to conduct audits abroad. In Germany, we try to carry out the appointments as best we can - of course in compliance with all hygiene measures. We have even held remote audits at some companies. However, this is only possible if they do not have their own production facilities, but only provide design services, for example. Via a web conference we can then check the relevant documents and issue certifications.

Thank you very much for the interview!

Please contact us!

 

Frank Stein
Leiter TBBCert
stein@tbbcert.de
Tel. +49 421 696 067-93