March 29, 2004

By: Dough Dobson
Website: http://www.1st-in-home-decor.com

Making The Grade: How Merillat Tests Cabinetry

Even in normal use, kitchen and bathroom cabinets can be subjected to an amazing amount of abuse. Coffee, grape juice, mustard and grease is spilled or splattered on them. Drawers and doors are slammed shut again and again.

To keep its products wear and tear damages to a minimum, Merillat has developed a comprehensive testing program that meets, and in many cases exceeds, the standards set by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute. The testing process begins in the product development stage and continues as long as the cabinet is in production.

We go beyond conforming to KCMA’s minimum requirements, said John Kolin, corporate quality manager for Merillat. We go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.

Merillat conducts a battery of tests in its testing facility in Adrian, Mich. Tests are conducted for repeated use, stain/chemical resistance, light and temperature exposure and structural integrity.

Merillat’s test for repeated use of hinges and drawers goes far above the KCMA standard. While the KCMA drawer guide test calls for the drawer to be opened and closed 25,000 times, Merillat’s requirement is to run the test until the drawer guide fails, or to 100,000 cycles. When testing a hinge, Merillat tests 80,000 to cycles to failure instead of the 25,000 the KCMA requires.

In stain and chemical resistance tests, for example, the cabinet components are exposed to 48 chemicals and stains that are commonly found in the home – olive oil, red food dye, ammonia, crayon, shoe polish, ink, makeup and household cleaners, to name a few. Each chemical is applied and removed to determine its effect on finishes and laminated material.

Using an ultraviolet chamber, Merillat testers can see how its cabinets will withstand years of exposure to sunshine and artificial lighting. Merillat typically tests all finishes and materials to 400 hours of direct UV exposure.

Environmental chambers allow Merillat to see how heat, cold and humidity will affect the cabinet over many years. In the Shrinkage and Heat resistance test, for example, the cabinet door is subjected to 120-degree heat and 70 percent humidity for 24 hours – mimicking conditions which could occur in the kitchen or when the cabinet is being transported in a truck or boxcar. Merillat goes a step further and tests the door to 160 degrees as well. To pass the test, the door finish must show no signs of permanent discoloration, blistering, checking or other surface film failure.

Structural tests measure how well the cabinets hold up to heavy loads, bumps and kicks, and repeated opening and closing of doors and drawers. For example, a three-pound steel ball is dropped onto a cabinet shelf or bottom and onto a drawer bottom, approximating the impact of a tin can or kitchen tool that is dropped. For the cabinet to pass the test, there must be no damage other that a superficial indentation where the ball hit. The shelf and cabinet bottom must remain fully functional.

Whenever Merillat changes a product’s components or alters the manufacturing process, the product is re-tested. Merillat also holds its suppliers to strict quality standards.

We are number one in our industry, Kolin said. In order to achieve that, you have to use the best material available. We use suppliers that have the ability to provide consistenetly high-quality products.

Merillat works hand-in-hand with suppliers to ensure that their testing procedures match Merillat requirements. We have come up with test plans and methods that they use to test their products, continued Kolin. We’ve shown them how to do testing and product capability studies.

Merillat’s ultimate goal is to deliver complete, defect-free products to customers on time, Kolin said product testing program helps ensure that those goals are met.

About The Author:

Dough Dobson is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-home-decor.com.  Home decorating tips and ideas to showcase any room with style.