Our in-house test center has once again been expanded with new test equipment. This time with a 4-point tester with many configuration options, which makes it possible to use it in many contexts. We are already in the process of performing tests of i.a. steering parts and shock absorbers. In this article, you can learn more about the technology behind and the applications for our new equipment.
Wear parts on a car lives, depending on location and function, a more or less stressful life. In order to achieve a suitable product service life, it is important to have the right design and a correct dimensioning. Here plays i.a. the materials used - metal, plastic, rubber, etc. - a big role. With our new 4-point tester, we can perform a number of different tests, which can show us whether the quality of the part and the selected materials meet the specifications - but also how they perform in relation to original parts or competitors.
In our new tester, you can simultaneously use up to a total of four either pneumatic, hydraulic or electrodynamic actuators to transfer tensions in the form of movement, oscillations, vibrations, push/pull to a test subject. Whether all four actuators are to be used - and whether the use takes place in connection with a single part or several parts - is freely configurable.
The actuators can be used to transmit tensions in different ways:
1. Static
2. Dynamic
3. Cyclic
Materials rarely fail when they are stressed once, but on the contrary when they are repeatedly exposed to stress, which ultimately leads to material fatigue. Material fatigue can be measured by mechanical tests involving repeated use of different tensions, which vary in a regular cycle from maximum to minimum value.
Incipient material fatigue is often seen as incipient cracking that multiplies and eventually leads to fracture. Thus, a fatigue test can measure the number of cycles required to start cracking, as well as the number of cycles to failure.
In-house test center
There are several reasons why it is important for us to have our own in-house test center - and now also our new 4-point tester. It gives us among others posibilities to:
• To test new products ourselves from potential new manufacturers
• To conduct comparative tests - in relation to OE or competitors
• To significantly reduce the waiting time for the customer in complaint cases
Especially in relation to the last-mentioned, it is a significant advantage for all links in the value chain - from car owner to spare parts importer - that we have our in-house test center. "As far as possible, we always try to decide internally whether a complaint is justified or not. In this context, we often use our internal competence and test equipment", says Asger Thybo Geertsen and adds:" In this way, we can often very quickly deliver a well-documented report within a very short casework time - for the benefit of all parties involved", concludes Asger Thybo Geertsen.