TEST-4-SME updates

During January 2020 Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) performed second round of free testing services for local SME called Cryogenic and Vacuum Systems (CVS) in the framework of project “Laboratory network for testing, characterisation and conformity assessment of electronic products developed by SMEs” (abbreviation – TEST-4-SME). The aim of the testing is for the laboratory to iteratively develop and improve testing procedures, quality and efficiency of testing in order to speed up the process of product development for electronic SMEs. In total, testing was performed 3 times for 3 different components in 21st of January 2020. During these tests dedicated Vector Network Analyser (VNA) in the possession of VUAS was calibrated and used to measure S parameters of radiofrequency (RF) equipment like 430 MHz band-pass filter, RF terminator and RF capacitor according to EIA-364-108 standard. In total all 4 S parameters were measured for the band-pass filter and S11 parameter measured using Smith Chart for RF terminator and RF capacitor. After each testing a testing report was compiled and delivered to SME that summarized all measured parameters. After each testing the measurement procedure was improved that yielded better quality and speed of testing.

Seminar “How to test and launch your electronic product” at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. On November 8, 2019, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences held a seminar “How to Test and Launch Your Electronics Product”, organized within the framework of the TEST-4-SME project. The TEST-4-SME project aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the manufacture of electronic equipment to accelerate and make product launches cheaper by providing a network of readily available and business-friendly product testing laboratories in the Baltic Sea Region. In order to launch a product, during the design phase it is necessary to undergo various tests, obtain certification and ensure that the product meets certain standards. Often companies do not have information on the tests and standards they need to perform, do not have their own testing equipment and certified laboratories, or are not aware of the places where such tests can be performed. The seminar was attended by representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, students of Electronics study programme of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and engineers of Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre to learn about product testing possibilities offered by TEST-4-SME network. Electronics quality engineer Oskars Bormanis and certification engineer Aivis Ašmanis from LTD Mikrotīkls gave presentations about the electronics testing process and standards. In order to determine what standard requirements an electronic product meets, it is necessary to know clearly what the basic function of the product is, where it will be used and what the target market is. Attention should also be paid to technical characteristics such as weight, power, supply voltage. Visitors of the seminar also learned about the most popular directives for electronics products. Information was also provided on how the testing process takes place for the products of LTD Mikrotīkls and the importance of the testing process in the product development cycle. Eva Fībiga, Senior Project Manager of Ventspils Business Incubator of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, spoke about the available business support and product export opportunities. Helpful information was provided on available support for small and medium-sized enterprises, business incubator programmes and grant systems to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to take advantage of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia. The seminar took place within the framework of the project "“Laboratory network for testing, characterisation and conformity assessment of electronic products developed by SMEs” jeb “TEST-4-SME” (project no. #R040) implemented by VUAS which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Baltic Sea Region Transnational Cooperation Programme.

In order to to provide testing for electronics SMEs to comply with the international standards during the early product development stage, which helps avoiding costly failures in later stages electronics SMEs are invited to attend online survey which aims to identify and analyse the gaps, e.g. technical expertise or lack of hardware, in testing services as well as clarify SMEs’ needs for electronic product or devices testing services in the region. Link to survey: https://ww2.unipark.de/uc/Test4SMEsurvey/