Steel work testing.

[Beanmetalworks]

hi may have covered this before can anyone help me i have made a product that i want to sell can someone tell me if i need to get i tested in any way and who can test if for me??

its a implement that goes on front of tractor not got any moving parts.

would like to no if i need to get it tested or can i just go out there and sell it??

 

[rtbcomp]

You'll need product liability insurance, so an insurance company/broker should be able to tell you what their requirements re. testing would be.

 

[Beanmetalworks]

It's a tuff subject to find info on just chatted to nfu and they seem to say that my insurance is all good to cover it! But for the ce mark I need to have tests done I think or do I??? The places that you ring that u think might be able to help u like hse have got government cut backs and they say there is no more advisers ???? So I'm thinking to self were can I get answeres to my questions???lol

 

[rtbcomp]

This may help or confuse

http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/business-sectors/environmental-and-product-regulations/product-regulation/ce-marking-faqs

 

[madkayaker]

as far as i know you can certify CE mark yourself if you keep records and can show design proof etc. might be worth asking a couple of the small manufactores how they do it even if they work as the CE consultant for a fee.

 

[Paul.]

CE marking is really just another paperwork exercise, whatever you do don't pay some parasitic consultant service company, they will just take all your profit. first decide which category you product fall into, if it has no electrical elements chances are it will be covered by the machinery directive and the general product safety directive, you need to generate a technical file detailing how your design was arrived at, any structural calcs if it involves lifting / or supporting weight, weld procedures if applicable, copies of test certificates etc, technical files for simple devices are surprisingly sparce.

When I was designing and building machinery I fount the HSE to be very helpful, there is a lot of information on the website to trawl through http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/ce-mark-summary.htm
Happy reading

 

[rtbcomp]

..............copies of test certificates etc,,,,,,,,

It's getting test certs that's the issue.

 

[Beanmetalworks]

This is what I'm finding who does the tests??? And hat tests do I need todo?? I ran a structural engineer for bit of advice and his advice was hmmm don't no what to suggest lol

 

[Paul.]

You dont say what your product is but I'm guessing there is lifting involved, If you cant do it yourself any structural engineer should be able to tell you if your design and selected materials is suitable, produce a drawing for him to provide some calcs against, when you buy your materials ask for certificates of conformity, all stock holders will supply them, if its a lifting device it will likely need to conform to LOLER, ie marked with safe working loads.
Each device proof load tested and certified, send a cert out with the job and keep a copy in the file, most lifting equipment specialists will do this and issue a certificate, for a simple weight proof test I pay around £40, this is who I use
http://www.sutch.co.uk/index.html, there must be similar firms around near you.

 

[Drains]

As Paul says - it depends what it is.
The chances are if it's lifting equipment it won't be a structural engineer you need, but a mechanical engineer.

Quite probably you can build the item and (nearly) destructive test it - so with lifting equipment you rate it appropriately using LOLER as a guide for whatever safety factors you need to include, then you add a further appropriate factor and test the item. If it survives this over-the-top test without any form of breakage or deformation then you can manufacture the item using the same or better manufacturing techniques. Most lifting accessories - climbing gear, shackles etc are not tested but tests to prove the design will be extensive and certifiable. A certificate of conformity will be supplied with every item or batch.

Proof testing is not required on an appropriately engineered, designed and certified item, but it will be required if there is any doubt at all about the design.

I occasionally make rigging equipment for aerial circus performances. These are designed by rule of thumb (eg, it looks right), and so are always tested by a local rigging and certification company. I also use much greater safety factors than would be used on normal lifting equipment.

 

[snowcat]

I Modify tellehandler headstocks as a regular job.

There is no overload test anymore, That is considered destructive, So a lifting test consists of a static load, to the Maxumn working load, so if its rated to 4T its tested to 4 ton.

The test consists of a visual inspection, followed by a lift with a calibrated strain gauge, Then the load is setteled for 1 minute then the device is visually inspected again, to which you receive a cert, each item should be tested (unless its engineered to an approved design) and will then carry its own unique number.

Testing costs me £150 if the inspector is familiar with your work tests only take about 10 minutes.

All this is fine, but if a defect appears or a weld fails, It is still the fabricator who is responsible.

 

[Beanmetalworks]

thanks again for the advice and help. the product is a implement that fits on front of tractor for carrying plastic wrap so im assuming that this means it does fall in lifting category?? so are we saying if the product is designed to carry say 500kg if i put 700kg on it and have no problems that's a test?? or does need to bit more detailed than that??

 

[snowcat]

Overload isnt considered a test, this is the cert your need if it falls under Regs, although I doubt what your building is considered a lifting device, Implements need no testing, although they do require a serial no, model type, and data plate, and now a CE stamp.

 

[Beanmetalworks]

thanks for help snow cat and others yeah been looking into ce mark its self certified i wanted to pass my design past a engineer to see what they thought but the 2 i rang up was not to help full and then run up some number that got off hse people that it says can help?? but they went round in circles with me and then said sorry sir dnt think we can help you, there ones that your ment to ring for help lol. ill look at advice i have been given on here and see what i can do!!

 

[astro_al]

For what its worth, your ratio of testing to 700kg for a 500kg load is probably insufficient given the typical farm abuse its going to get and the combination of max load (full plastic wrap roll, possibly with a couple of bails / cows / small tractors loaded on top) PLUS the dynamic loading (which you haven't considered, I think) will be much more than 1.4x load. When the front wheels drop into a dip and then drive up out again (for example) the implement will see significant accelerations, which is where your dynamic loads come from - to say nothing of general vibration etc.

In short, build it very strong. Al.

 

[gav0994]

Hi BeanMetalWorks,

Having read the thread and also having seen pictures of your implement you want to CE mark I would say it falls into the same category as a Link box/transport box. It's just a fancy looking one! Possibly speaking with manufacturers of those would point you in the right direction as to what is required re the testing/certification for the CE mark.