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Originally Posted by Tim Skloss
Since in europe--where item originates--manufacturers claims must be absoluetly guaranteed, you will see very conservative estimates of structural strength. In our experience the material can be up to 3 times stronger than claimed in the catalog.
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As pointed out by Matt, Bosch is a German company turned International. Also, any good company will 'downgrade' their data when giving estimates data. Test Data is not the same type of data as Estimate Data.
If a company posts 'Test Data' they must post actual values recorded while testing their product. However, test data won't tell you everything about the material. ITEM's data is probably a hanging weight test (basically, hang more weight from the material until the 'flaps' fail or the material bends too far). But, there is no such thing as a perfect duplicate, and one piece may test differently the next (although probably very close).
Companies like Bosch provide estimate data which is often more useful for engineers looking to build something new. Estimate data often involves a safety factor.
The following is an example of a saftey factor in a product:
Super Rope, USA tested a specific rope type before release to the open market.
They test 20 ropes and conclude the rope can hold an average of 425 lbs before snapping.
In their product list, the rope is said to be able to hold up to 400lbs.
Look@ItGo Construction Company purchases the rope and begins to lift a cart of tools weighing 423 lbs with the rope. The rope snaps and sends the tools downward, most breaking.
Because Super Rope did not say "Our rope will hold 425 lbs" (as their test shows), but provided a downgraded value of 400, Look@ItGo has no way to claim Super Rope of being at fault for the broken tools caused by the failing rope.
While most companies will give their own safety factors, it is also important for those who are using the products to gather their own safety factors. In the above incident, if Look@ItGo was smart, they would have purchased a rope rated at 450 or 500 lbs and could trust that it would not break at a 423 lb load.
In conclusion, Bosch's data may say that it is less rigid than ITEM's, but in fact it could be better.
Remember, as Mark Twain said:
There are lies, there are 'darned' lies, and then there are statistics.