Services

Technical assistance

If certain problems (e.g. technical faults) arise with research facilities or equipment, the Electronics Department can help to resolve them. For this purpose it has staff specializing in a variety of fields and a wide range of equipment used specifically for testing and measurements (see also Facilities).

Maintenance/repair

The Electronics Department carries out repairs and maintenance on electronic and electrotechnical equipment. Whether or not a repair can be carried out will depend to a large extent on the availability of replacement parts and – not least – on the availability of diagrams or service manuals for the faulty equipment. Today it is increasingly the case that the purchase value of equipment – particularly standard equipment such as printers, monitors, etc. – is relatively low, so it is not always worthwhile to undertake repairs.

The department also carries out maintenance on certain equipment. This includes periodic inspections (e.g. safety inspections), replacement of parts subject to wear and tear, and the configuration and/or calibration of equipment. See also Facilities.

Advice/preliminary assessment

Potential clients who wish to find out whether there is an electronic or electrotechnical solution to a particular technical problem – and if so how feasible and workable this is – can contact the Electronics Department to discuss the options. In complex cases, a preliminary assessment might be suggested. The outcome of this method ranges from straightforward recommendations to a complete project formulation.

Project formulation

The department can produce a complete project formulation based on wishes and technical requirements and/or the results of a problem analysis or preliminary assessment. The project formulation describes the technical requirements and feasible solution direction for the assignment in question, and where possible gives an indication of the time required and the cost.

Instruction

If required, the Electronics Department can provide instruction in the use of certain techniques (e.g. how to use the LabView software package).

Outsourcing

The Electronics Department can certainly be of assistance when work has to be outsourced. At a time when regulatory requirements and statutory standards are becoming increasingly stringent, without the relevant background knowledge it is becoming more and more difficult to have something produced elsewhere according to legal requirements. The department has the necessary expertise and experience to oversee and coordinate this type of outsourcing.

European Regulations: CE and NEN 3140

The Electronics Department can answer questions relating to the European regulations, CE and NEN 3140. It is not always clear to non-experts what the consequences of regulations will be regarding the realization of research facilities and/or equipment. At the very least, compliance with the relevant regulations and requirements must be demonstrated. A Technical Construction Dossier (TCD) is required for this purpose, containing documentation on risk assessments, risk reduction measures, the standards applied and the necessary calculations, diagrams and measurement reports. Working in accordance with relevant European standards leads to a ‘Presumption of Conformity’. The TCD must be available to the authorities for 10 years as statutory proof of conformity.

The Electronics Department can assist and advise throughout the realization process.