Quality Engineering Test Establishment promotional video
This video introduces the wide range of specialized technology-based testing as well as investigative services offered by the Quality Engineering Test Establishment (QETE) to support engineering decisions throughout all phases of materiel acquisition and support.
Video / May 10, 2023
Transcript
The Quality Engineering Test Establishment supports the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in all phases of Materiel Acquisition and Support (MA&S) by performing Failure and Accident Investigation, Specialized Test and Evaluation, Technical Advice, and Departmental Program and Technical Authority.
QETE is unique in DND as the only all-in-one body of experts able to collaborate between multiple laboratories and workshops to provide a full complement of services to its clients.
QETE’s capabilities can be rapidly deployed both nationally and internationally.
Specialized teams of highly talented, expert scientists, engineers, and technologist with access to a full spectrum of technological equipment are all focused on keeping Canada’s defence systems and equipment safe, available, and serviceable.
By remaining true to effective regulations and policies, QETE ensures MA&S activities are carried out in a manner that enhances value for money and focuses on the sound stewardship of materiel.
As well, QETE’s MA&S activities deliver essential information and independent evaluations and assessments to decision makers.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering
When CAF equipment fails, the effects can range from inconvenience – to tragedy.
QETE’s Mechanical and Materials Engineering section provides technical failure and accident investigation to all CAF environments.
Using forensic investigative techniques, specialist teams perform on-site investigations and follow-on laboratory analyses.
This team leverages all QETE expertise to identify the root cause of failures and accidents and to recommend specific actions to mitigate risks.
We help minimize safety hazards for personnel, accidental loss of materiel, and operational impact.
This internal DND capability is essential for clients to successfully and safely manage assets with sound and independent engineering and technical data to effectively manage risk.
These technologists and engineers will test the strength of materials up to their breaking point, or meticulously do the opposite – use non-destructive evaluation techniques to evaluate component conditions and support root cause analyses.
QETE has a comprehensive capability to inspect, examine, evaluate, and test the performance of all conventional and advanced materials that are used by the CAF.
QETE Mechanical and Materials Engineering has full design and manufacturing capability, which helps clients design solutions or conduct design verification with the support of 3D computerized stress models.
This manufacturing capability is also able to support rapid prototyping by using conventional and Computer Numerical Control manufacturing or by using 3D printed technologies.
A team of welding specialists will either evaluate the integrity of a welded component or provide clients with welding procedures that are applicable to meet the specific application for the intended environment.
As well, QETE’s Climatic and Vibration Laboratories provide test and evaluation services to clients.
This team can perform instrumented field trials or laboratory evaluations to characterize the use and performance of in-service equipment.
This information can be used by clients to assess operational effectiveness of the equipment, to affect design changes, or to modify the operational procedures.
Instrumented field trials are also essential to support the procurement of new equipment for the CAF.
Applied Science
QETE’s Applied Science section provides chemical and physical characterization of materials and their components using sophisticated analytical instrumentation.
When faced with a material of unknown substance, Applied Science’s team of specialized scientists and technologists will ultimately discover what it is.
Whether analyzing solids, liquids, or gases while deployed in the field or back in QETE’s laboratories, these experts will put it to the test: either rip it – tear it – dissolve it – heat it – cool it – stretch it – coat it – or burn it, to discover what “it” is and what kind of stresses it can withstand.
And should you suspect contamination of your equipment’s fluid systems, QETE will direct and guide field operations to resolve the problem for the safe resumption of operations.
The Applied Science section also houses 3 of DND’s Technical Authorities.
Be it hydrocarbon-based, polymer-based, textile or metallic – we will put it through a gauntlet to reveal its composition and to evaluate its performance, strength, flammability, and resistance to corrosion.
Electrical Engineering
QETE’s Electrical Engineering Section provides lab- and field-based capabilities to capture measurements in the visible and invisible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
In the Sensors group, scientists and technologists can assess the performance of lasers and optical sensors against established DND standards.
The Sensors group also tests hearing protection devices and is part of DND’s nascent Hearing Conservation program.
Electrical Engineering has a wide range of capabilities to test and evaluate equipment operating in the Radio Frequency range.
Engineers can diagnose electromagnetic compatibility issues and ensure emitting devices are safe for use around personnel, fuel, and ordnance.
They can also confirm the electromagnetic integrity of classified information systems. All of these capabilities are deployable to field environments.
The Section has specialized capabilities in multiple domains:
QETE’s Electrical Engineering Section is an agile, operationally-focused organization ready to support your radio frequency, optical and acoustic requirements today.
Measurement Sciences and Imagery
QETE's Measurement Sciences and Imagery section provides support to accident investigations, failure analysis projects, and specialized testing and evaluation.
This section also manages the National Calibration Programme and delivers metrology services to DND and CAF.
The Measurement Sciences Group operates as the Primary Standards Laboratory for both Physical and Electrical Properties and provides precise measurement services required to support reverse engineering and conformance to specifications and to procurement and contract assessments.
The Technical Imagery Group provides cutting-edge photographic expertise and video services in support of QETE technical investigations.
Highly specialized photo and video imagery services are essential to fully understanding material and system behavior – thus providing further insight, evidence, and understanding to an investigation.
Imagery support is provided from full scale platform or component images to precision macroscopic and microscopic close-ups.
Munitions Experimental Test Centre
The Munitions Experimental Test Centre, or METC, conducts tests, evaluations, and failure analyses with strict quality control processes on components related to munitions, explosives, weapon systems, and protective equipment.
Highly qualified personnel have expertise in preparing, adapting, and separating the components of munitions, explosives, and weapon systems in a safe environment.
METC’s capabilities in mechanical design and fabrication support the needs associated with facilities and experimental setups.
Its technical services sector achieves state of the art data acquisition by employing a variety of sensors and/ or by designing and fabricating electronics for the capture of ultra-rapid phenomena.
METC uses radar technology to analyse projectiles in free flight, while numerous gauges are available to measure physical, biomechanical, and mechanical parameters.
Expertise in infrared and/or high speed digital imagery provides exhaustive studies in using movement analysis technics – or images can also be captured using flash radiography.
Life cycling and simulation subjects military equipment, ammunitions, and explosives to typical environmental conditions – such as temperature, humidity, and vibration.
2D radiography and 3D Computed Tomography are used to investigate internal parts of systems, ammunitions, or explosives.
METC’s Engineering Section provides easily accessible engineering and project management services to support QETE, METC, and their clients’ activities.
METC’s Gatineau weapons and ammunition group provides the Valcartier headquarters a liaison office in the National Capital Region with expertise in failure analysis.
Infrastructure at METC Valcartier comprises two highly instrumented ballistic laboratories – 80 and 250 meters long, respectively – and a detonics bay that provides characterisation of explosive charges up to 6kg.
Add to that an outdoor long firing range of 2,500 meters and a number of blasting sites located on the Valcartier garrison which proves METC to be a fundamental part of CAF acquisition and safety protocols.
By combining leading-edge science and technology, QETE contributes to the safety and the operational viability of the Canadian Armed Forces both at home and abroad.
QETE provides key information to project and equipment managers to make timely and evidence-based decisions.
QETE is there to support all phases of Materiel Acquisition and Support:
Our expert staff and advanced technologies are available to ensure suppliers deliver on their promises.
The Quality Engineering Test Establishment – science and engineering, at your service.
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