Testing resources
Pore volume testing
The Capillary Saturation Porometer from Porous Materials Inc. determines pore volume without using mercury and measures liquid permeability. To determine pore volume, a sample is soaked in a liquid that spontaneously fills the pores. The pressure of a non-reacting gas on the top of the sample is increased to displace the liquid from pores. The volume of displaced liquid is measured, from which pore volume, diameter, and volume distribution are computed. To measure liquid permeability, pressure on the liquid maintained on the top of the sample is increased. The volume of liquid flowing out of the sample is measured, allowing liquid permeability to be computed. Applications include brake pads, fabrics, and filters.
Product behavior testing
Lumeo Motion 2.0 from Lumeo Software, Inc. allows mechanical engineers to use 3-D CAD models to test product behavior early in the development process. The system is designed for the automotive and heavy equipment industries. It does not require users to define motion paths and maneuvers prior to performance testing. Instead, they can operate the product interactively, just as they would with real prototypes. Users can add hydraulic cylinders with real-life functionality to the models and test in real time the performance of the design.
Motor testing
Magtrol's Customized Motor Test Systems (CMTS) are PC-based, turnkey systems that can be tailor-made for most motor test applications. A typical CMTS may include one or more dynamometers along with a high-performance dynamometer controller; a single- or three-phase power analyzer; an ac and/or dc motor power supply; GPIB cards and cables with a computer, printer, and customized software; and a heavy-duty equipment rack. Each system is equipped with an E-Stop button, which cuts off all power during problem situations.
Calibration gases
Scott Specialty Gases was selected by BMW to supply calibration gases at the automaker's new Group Engineering and Emissions Control Test Center in Oxnard, CA. Scott will supply highly accurate gases to calibrate advanced analyzers used to measure tailpipe exhausts for hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Gases supplied by Scott are accurate within the specified 1% tolerance. They meet all state certifications including California's Bureau of Automotive Repair as well as Federal EPA I/M 240 and ASM specifications. Scott also specializes in EPA protocols and other calibration gases for all types of environmental monitoring applications.
Torso flexion
Denton ATD's Automated Torso Flexion Test Stand can perform the certification test on all the test dummies specified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the test designed by SAE International. The device conducts the complete torso flexion test without supervision or aid. Once the dummy is positioned on the stand and the operator has activated the software, the integrated control unit automatically cycles through the extensive 40-min test. Up to 36 different tests can be stored, and all of the corridors and test parameters for each test are easily adjusted by the system operator through a controller keypad.
