Welcome to Auto Trim Division

Research & Testing Facility Home > Capabilities
When evaluating precision testing and research facilities, it makes sense to compare many factors. However, the most significant ones are: Certification. Experience. Capabilities.

Certification

Our lab meets the stringent, globally-recognized standards to be ISO/IEC -17025 accredited. Certification is an extensive process of verifying lab policies and procedures, from testing parameters to detailing elaborate work instructions to reporting results. Compliance with ISO/IEC -17025 standards is assured by yearly surveillance audits.

Experience
Our laboratory staff has decades of collective experience and training in both international quality standards and testing methods. This experience translates into very responsive turnaround and accurate results. First time, on-time, every time.

Capabilities
The Lacks’ facility offers an extensive range of testing and validation procedures to analyze both raw materials and plated/painted/assembled exterior and interior component parts on thermoplastic polymers for automotive, plumbing, computer and telecommunication applications.

"When can I get my results?"
We know that test results are often time sensitive. That’s why Lacks pledges fast turnaround times for our reports, generally available within two business days following completion of required tests.

Testing

Our comprehensive testing procedures can deliver the validation criteria specified by the most discerning engineering and quality control departments. For example, tests performed within the Lacks’ facility include:

Environmental and Coatings Analysis
- Paint Adhesion
- Humidity Testing
- Thermal Shock
- CASS
- Abrasion, Marring and Scratch Resistance
Adhesives/Paint/Polymers/Rubber Analysis
- Pluck Testing
- Infrared Spectrophotometry
- Viscosity
Chemical and Analytical Instrumentation
- Glass Content
- % Solids
- Titrations
Microexamination
- Plate Layer Thickness Determination
- Paint Layer Thickness Determination
- Defect Analysis
Mechanical Testing
- Impact Testing
- Belgian Block Testing
- Drop Test

Lacks testing equipment is truly state-of-the-art, including recent additions of ultraviolet and Weather-o-meter testing stations. A sample list of test equipment includes:

C.A.S.S. Cabinets – Testing for accelerated corrosion
Carwash Simulator/High Pressure Washer – Validates vehicle finish and component response to repeated exposure to commercial car washing equipment.
Ovens – For simulating hot and humid environmental conditions.
Freezers – For simulating winter environmental exposure.
Water Immersion Tanks – For simulating rain conditions.
Humidity Cabinet – Recreates moist, humid environmental conditions.
Salt Spray Cabinet – Simulates the effect of salt corrosion on vehicles.
Impact Resistance Tester – Measures impact effects on coatings, materials, and components.
Gravelometer – Measures stone impingement susceptibility when a vehicle is driven on rugged roads.