Founded in 1993, Eclipse Laboratories specializes in providing testing services to the Plastic Card Industry. Eclipse Laboratories' staff of three have over 40 years combined experience in the card and card testing industry.
International Standards establish minimum requirements for cards used in interchange. The Eclipse staff actively participates at US National standards meetings organized by ANSI/INCITS which provides the US input to the International (ISO) standardization activities. Tests involving Magnetic Stripe analysis, lamination bond strength, surface irregularities, placement and size of various card attributes, flexure properties, abrasion resistance, chemical exposure and temperature extremes are typical for the evaluation of cards used in a variety of applications.
Integrated circuit cards (Contact and Contactless IC Cards) have additional interchange parameters which Eclipse Laboratories can provide; including static discharge, ESD, flexure, torsion and contact profiles.
Eclipse Laboratories is also capable of performing all the durability tests specified in the AAMVA DL/ID Standard for driver licenses.
Eclipse Laboratories is an affiliate member of the International Card Manufacturers Association and is now ISO 17025 accredited (by A2LA) to perform a number of ISO 10373-1, 10373-2, 24789-2 and ANSI 322 tests. In addition to the tests included within the Scope of Accreditation, Eclipse tests cards for compliance to a variety of other ISO requirements, as well as card durability tests established by ANSI/INCITS ID Cards Group; Eclipse regularly provides third party testing for compliance to Mastercard CQM standards.”
After earning a B.A. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Concordia College (Moorhead), Brad Paulson received an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. Brad has over 30 years' experience in testing, research, development, and manufacturing in technical ceramics, microelectronics, flexible circuitry, printing, and plastic cards. Brad holds U.S. and international patents and has authored articles and presentations in plastic card technologies.
Brad has actively participated in ANSI and ISO standards development since 1999, receiving the 2006 International Card Manufacturers Association Elan Award for Outstanding Member Service, 2007 INCITS Gene Milligan Award for Effective Committee Management, 2011 INCITS Merit Award, and 2012 INCITS Service Award.
With Kevin Tall's retirement, Brad Paulson assumed ownership and operational management of Eclipse Laboratories on 1 February 2014. Brad looks forward to serving old and new clients as he carries forward the tradition of excellence at Eclipse Laboratories