Axle Test Rig

Axle test rigs are used to test either the front or the rear suspension and mounting system of a vehicle. The body structure is rigidly mounted and loadings are applied in a closed force loop. This differs from full vehicle simulators where the loading is reacted by the inertia of the vehicle body.

IST manufactures the following types of axle test rigs:

• Axle Test Rigs
• Corner Test Rigs
• Truck Axle Test Rigs

Axle Test Rigs

This axle test rig allows forces to be applied, simulating in the laboratory the loads acting on the components of an axle while the vehicle is being driven over rough roads.

The axle test rigs are specifically designed to work in conjunction with wheel force transducers. IST's unique gain scheduling option for Labtronic™ 8800 digital controller allows the vertical actuator to be operated in load control, resulting in exceptionally high levels of correlation of field measured loads with those reproduced in the laboratory.

Features

The test system consists of two symmetrically arranged loading units, each mounted as an option on a turntable. This arrangement enables testing of steering front axles. For this purpose, longitudinal loads, side loads, vertical loads are introduced at the wheel contact point. In addition, braking and camber moments are introduced into the axle assembly.

Loads

All loading variables characterizing the mechanical loads acting on the test object are derived from road tests conducted with the vehicle, and reproduced on the axle test rig either as they occur, or on an accelerated scale.

Loads occurring during road driving conditions are simulated with high accuracy. All of these loads can be realistically reproduced on our axle test system.

Operation Modes

The test rig can be operated in two modes providing different levels of safety:

• Low-pressure mode
• Test mode

Select image to enlarge Corner Test Rigs

The fixturing used for an axle test rig can also be supplied to apply loads to a single spindle of a vehicle. Typically this is used for suspension testing in conjunction with a dummy structure to support the suspension elements.

Select image to enlarge Truck Axle Test Rigs

Standard test rigs are available to apply vertical, longitudinal and lateral loads to the axle of a vehicle. The compact design operates with inclined actuators working via bell-cranks.

The vertical actuators are fitted with a hydraulic pre-load system with a battery of accumulators which applies the static load to the axle. This allows the dynamic part of the actuator to be dimensioned for the dynamic loading only, resulting in a lower oil flow rate requirement and reduced energy costs.

LabSite™ and Labtronic™ are trademarks of Instron and LabSite^® and Labtronic^® are registered trademarks of Instron in Germany.