Comprehensive tests and vertical integration guarantee product durability

Medical and laboratory technology from Miele's Bielefeld plant guarantees clients and users security at the highest of levels. Washer-disinfectors are tested to withstand at least 15,000 programme cycles, equating to a life cycle of around 20 years. The tests take place at the end of a production process which is geared to meeting the highest demands on quality from the very outset.

The majority of components used to build Miele washer-disinfectors hail from Miele's own production plants: Electronic controls come from the electronics plant in Gütersloh, spray arms are produced in Lehrte near Hanover, electric motors and pumps are supplied by Miele Euskirchen, stainless-steel sub-assemblies such as baskets and inserts are manufactured at Miele's plant in the Austrian town of Bürmoos. Short distances and close cooperation between specialists at all production plants have spawned numerous innovations over the more than 50-year history of commercial cleaning systems at Miele.

Since March 2015, an entirely new generation of undercounter washer-disinfectors has been setting new standards in the reprocessing of instruments in hospitals and surgeries and in the reprocessing of glassware in laboratories. At the heart of this new series of 60 cm and 90 cm wide units is a patented water circulation system which combines higher capacity with the reduced use of resources. Compared with the previous generation, this allows almost 400% more flasks and bottles (with a volume of between 50 ml and 100 ml) to be washed and disinfected per cycle. At the IDS Dental Show in March 2015, Miele thermal disinfectors inspired trade visitors with, for example, their new drying system and various other functions which guarantee the ultimate in everyday safety.

'All models for use in laboratories or medical institutions must subscribe to the highest of standards – not least by meeting legislative requirements and regulations', says Lutz Döhnert, responsible at Miele for Professional Cleaning Systems. To name but a few, these include the Medical Device Directive and associated ordinances, the Low-Voltage Directive, the ISO 15883 standard as well as regulations issued by the Food and Drug Administration which all require exhaustive batteries of tests, making functional tests on assembled washer-disinfectors so complex. Döhnert: 'Depending on the model, this can take anywhere between 90 minutes and 7 hours.'

At Miele's factory site in Bielefeld there are several test laboratories covering a total area of 2400 m², with no fewer than 110 employees involved in R&D. The acoustics laboratory not only investigates materials with a view to ascertaining their sound-proofing qualities but also tests finished products for compliance with sound emissions as laid down by valid national and international standards. For this purpose, two audiometric rooms have been equipped with cutting-edge digital technology. The focus in the rubber and plastics laboratory is on the bonding strength of adhesives and coatings – and on how materials react to climatic changes. Lab washers from Bielefeld are put through their paces in tests to assess the functionality of software, check for leakage current and reveal damage caused by heat and other types of mechanical strain before prototypes and pre-production units can be produced.

The first machines produced face a veritable assault course of tests covering individual components and sub-assemblies which later continue once large-scale production commences: The door lock mechanism is operated 100,000 times and heater pumps on the new washer-disinfectors are run for 15,000 hours under extremely inclement conditions. An important assay is the endurance test which simulates 15,000 programme cycles: Several new washer-disinfectors are run non-stop 24/7 using specially developed test soils and detergents which are dispensed automatically. A camera monitors the long-term test – right through to its successful completion. Before being launched onto the market, new machines must prove themselves under workaday conditions: For this purpose units are shipped to selected laboratories in the pharmaceutical and biochemical industries as well as to research institutes for long-term testing overseen by experienced service engineers from Miele Professional.

'Extensive testing and a high degree of vertical integration guarantees that we are able to offer customers top-class quality – as one would expect of Miele', claims Michael Sedlag, Head of Product Management in the field of medical and laboratory technology. An important reason for Miele's huge market shares in many European countries is the trust and confidence of clients which has been built up over decades, an aspect to which quality 'Made in Bielefeld' has contributed in a most positive way.

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Company profile: Miele is the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floor care products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The Miele company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany as well as one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2013/14 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.22 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for around 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of around 17,660, 10,411 thereof in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.