As billions of consumers shift from making regular telephone calls to now making personal or business video calls, the demand for high quality webcams are significantly increasing. Webcams are known for their low manufacturing prices and flexibility in the market. Therefore, it’s not surprising that in order to meet this enormous demand, webcams are now one of the many products that are being outsourced from China. Webcams must conform to International Standards and undergo quality control and inspection tests. Webcam importers should have a highly qualified quality control specialist based in China to conduct the necessary procedures.
ASTM International, over the years, has formulated several tests that are used for webcam inspection and quality control in China. Among these tests are the following:
- ASTM F2617 Identification and Quantification of Chromium, Bromine, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead in Polymeric Material Test Method
A very critical standard test method, as this ASTM International Standard may be used to determine if the webcams contain dangerous chemicals such as bromine, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. This test is performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry equipment.
- ASTM F180 - 94 Density of Fine Wire and Ribbon Wire for Electronic Devices TestThe density of fine wire and ribbon wire for electronic device test determines if the wires to be used in the manufacturing of the webcam are good quality and can withstand heavy use from users.
- ASTM D3641 Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials ASTM D3641 is an International Standard that should be strictly adhered to during the production phase of webcams. Quality control specialists should inspect the site during the pre-production and production phase to ensure the product during production remains to the International and consumer specifications.
- ASTM D638 - 10 Tensile Properties of Plastics TestThe tensile properties of plastics inspection test is used to test webcams against heavy product usage and even consumer misuse such as webcams falling off the computer and hitting the ground.
