Expansion of technology expertise LAPP Mobility GmbH opens its own test centre

Electric mobility is really on the rise. And LAPP is strategically expanding its

portfolio of products and services relating to charging infrastructure. “We want to gain even more market relevance and use our know-how and experience to promote market growth,” said Frank Hubbert, Managing Director of LAPP Mobility GmbH, which was founded eighteen months ago. In order to achieve this, the company’s structures are continuously being adapted to market requirements. For a few weeks now, LAPP Mobility GmbH (LMD) has also had its own development laboratory with comprehensive professional measurement and testing facilities in the field of charging equipment for electric mobility. “Our state-of-the-art laboratory is based on the IATF 16949 automotive standard. We can now perform key tests and inspections ourselves and no longer have to subcontract testing to third parties. This dramatically improves our speed and the information we can provide to our customers, while additional capabilities such as heating cycle tests and ISO 15118 data management tools enable us to talk to our customers from the automotive industry on equal terms”, says Frank Hubbert.

The company made a 6 figure total investment in the new testing and development laboratory. A total of six test engineers work there. Their main task is to carry out development-related, standard-compliant tests to ensure function, electrical safety, cold and heat resistance and mechanical strength of LAPP’s own products such as the mode 3 charging cable, mode 2 charging systems and wall boxes.

Particularly during preliminary development, but also during the later development phases and prior to series production, every product undergoes extensive functional and safety tests. For example, to qualify them in terms of strain relief and anti-kink protection the charging cables are subjected to a load of 20,000 bending cycles. The charging systems are also stressed in high and low temperature operation, where they have to withstand temperatures from -40 to +90°C. In addition, contact resistances of the contact systems in the uOhm range are measured, and faults in communication between the vehicle and the charging station are simulated in accordance with ISO15118. However, the effect of mains interference and tolerance fluctuations on the charging function is also tested. The new test centre has already been audited in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, and auditing in compliance with the IATF 16949 automotive standard is currently in progress. This guarantees consistently high product quality and reliability.

“With the new laboratory, we are continuing to expand our technology expertise. We want to guarantee expert and professional product testing. We can only achieve profitable results with the very latest equipment and the use of methods that comply with current standards,” adds Andreas Weinbrecht, Head of Product Development at LAPP Mobility GmbH.

A total of 75 employees are currently working at Lapp Mobility GmbH. They make up a team of experienced automotive specialists and long-time LAPP specialists in connection solutions. In this configuration, the Lapp Mobility team works on products and charging solutions that enable charging to be carried out easily, flexibly and digitally. LAPP has already developed tailored charging products for the BMW i3, Hyundai Kona and the e-Caddy from Abt, as well as for the car sharing provider Drive Now in Copenhagen. A charging system is also currently being produced for Jaguar Land Rover.