Streamlining global development work requires that teams work in tandem. Two distinct teams working together provide an advantage. But three complementary teams joining forces to provide an integrated solution can accelerate the development process.
Instron Schenck Testing Systems (a joint venture between Instron Corp. of Massachusetts and Carl Schenck AG of Germany), LMS International of Belgium, and TEAM Corporation of Washington recently formed a three-way partnership dubbed The Durability Alliance.
"We (LMS) have tools that can characterize a load on a vehicle (i.e., force on a suspension), so we can aid in the design process by helping to create certain parameters in the design space. The alliance has the tools to help OEMs refine that based on the market target in either the virtual or physical world," said Paul Weal, LMS North America Durability Business Development Manager, LMS North America.
The alliance combines products and services needed to design and refine durability aspects from concept to product delivery via test-based and CAE-based methods. The group provides software for load data processing, customer loads correlation, accelerated testing, and fatigue life prediction—all of which can be integrated with complete test rig solutions.
For an OEM, durability engineering depends on test-out tools that can provide data for specific market needs, such as refining a vehicle for the Brazilian marketplace so the vehicle design can withstand x-number of pounding pothole hits.
"The partnering solution of the three suppliers enables OEMs to acquire their durability technology from a single (entity). Although each of the three companies in the alliance have their own competence, together we offer (comprehensive durability engineering) for a global solution," Weal said.
Kami Buchholz
