Commitment to Quality

Ring Automotive

With over thirty years experience in the manufacture and distribution of automotive lighting, Ring's commitment to quality is second to none. Through major investments in test equipment and fully qualified staff, Ring has created a Quality Assurance Department that is at the forefront of the Automotive Lighting Market. Ring recognises quality is of the utmost importance in helping to ensure customer satisfaction and with this in mind Ring's Quality Assurance Department carries out stringent quality control procedures on a continuous basis.

It has achieved the highest standards in Quality Assurance and has been independently assessed by BSI. The department has been awarded ISO 9001 for the manufacture and assembly of automotive lighting.

This is regularly and independently verified by BSI and the standard has now been achieved over a period of many years. This independent Quality Assessment is vital when it comes to Ring's original equipment programme where the best in the world OEM's continue to place business with Ring. The Quality Assurance Department monitors and assesses all the bulbs in the Ring Auto Bulb range. Using the sampling techniques laid down by BS 6001 bulbs are checked to the relevant ECE and BS standards.

Ring's Quality Assurance Department carries out a much bigger role than simply testing our existing products.The department's extensive facilities are used in the continuous process of product development, comparing the performance of existing products to those utilising the very latest technologies. It works closely with our manufacturing partners in developing those new technologies. It is also able to monitor and assess the general quality of the market place issuing regular updates on other bulbs available. Working in close cooperation with our customers and can issue technical reports on request. As a member of the SMMT and the LIF Ring Automotive contributes to the further development of lighting technologies and legislation..

Ring Automotive

Quality Control Procedures for Autobulbs

Luminosity and Colour

Using an Integrated Photometer, luminosity or the light output, is measured against the requirements. This calibrated sphere compares the light output of the sample against a calibrated bulb from the National Physics laboratory. The light output is then checked and verified against the relevant standard. Bulbs are checked for colour compliance by comparing the output to chromaticity values defined in the standards.

Ring Automotive

Life Testing

Bulbs are tested for their static life using a computer controlled life test rack. This accelerates the life of a bulb using an increased voltage of between 110.0-116.6% as specified by BSI or I.E.C standards. This life test is not a continuous test but a cycle test that switches the bulbs off and on to put the maximum load on the bulbs. In the case of twin filament headlamp bulbs the test alternates between the main and dipped beam filaments.

Lamp Dimensions and Filament Positions

Lamp dimensions and filament positions are tested on a shadowgraph magnification projector. With the increasing use of complex surface reflectors on both front and rear lighting it is becoming more and more important that the filament is located at the correct position. Failure to do this will result in a very poor beam pattern as the source of light is not at the focal point of the lamp unit. With tolerances of only 0.1mm the importance of this test cannot be over stressed.

Vibration Testing

Whilst there are no internationally agreed standards for Automotive Bulb Vibration testing, Ring carries out vibration testing on a flat bed vibration rig. The amplitude and the frequency of the vibration can be adjusted to create a variety of adverse conditions. This test is the nearest we can get to simulating what happens on the road and is particularly relevant to the arduous conditions found in the commercial vehicle market. Ring is able to bench mark it's products and those of it's competitors.

Other procedures carried out are:

Envelope to lamp holder test – the bulb is torque tested against calibrated weights to ensure the cap is sound.
Cap dimensional test – the bulb cap is checked against calibrated gauges to ensure the correct fit to a lamp holder.
Envelope test – the glass envelope is checked against calibrated gauges to ensure the correct size.

ECE Reg 37 is the European Standard for automotive bulbs implemented to guarantee the performance standards of bulbs. It applies to most exterior lighting and has been adopted throughout Europe. Only bulbs carrying an appropriate E mark can be used on the road. "Off-road vehicles" are exempt. Gas discharge lamps have their own standard which is ECE REG Reg.99.

Ultra Violet light can damage headlamps manufactured with plastic components making lenses brittle and cloudy. Ring headlamp bulbs are UV cut to protect the vehicles lighting systems.

Environmental legislation introduced in July 2006 prohibits the use of lead in bulbs. Ring bulbs are now manufactured using lead free solder and lead free glass.