HIGH GLOSS - HJGHL Y SOPHISTICATED BUT NO MEASURING METHOD TO TEST IT COMPLETELY?

The qualities of surfaces are mainly defined by various performance measurements of resistance and the exclusion of surface defects. Especially the appearance of high gloss surfaces are mainly consulted for the purchase decision of customers, but these attributes are usually evaluated by the number of surface defects, the distinctness of image and gloss unites over 80. Characteristics of the esthetical quality are rarely defined. For the quality management of furniture producers this is an unsatisfying situation, because there are minor possibilities to intervene early in the process and the surface quality in the multi-stage production process cannot be controlled. This obscure process system is the reason for a less continuous surface quality, rising process and reclamation costs, particularly with regard to prepared wood or wood-based substrates. The development of a complete quality concept of high gloss surfaces is the subject matter in the current research project at the University of Applied Sciences Ostwestfalen-Lippe. The precise research approaches are based on an exact definition of each characteristics and their physical behaviour to disturb the appearance quality. To describe and evaluate the whole surface quality existing measurement methods and sensory quality assessments are combined. The consolidation of common measurement methods and sensory quality assessments will lead to one quality scale.