Toyota installs shaker system to test products

Test & Measurement

30 July 2003 Test & Measurement Products & Solutions

Toyota's Product Evaluation Department has just installed a vibration system that consists of an LDS V830 vibrator and amplifier, Dactron Comet controller and accelerometers from Wilcoxon. The complete system was supplied by Spescom MeasureGraph, the local distributor.

Toyota's Product Evaluation Department, based in Durban, is responsible for the evaluation and approval of localised vehicle parts, ensuring that locally-manufactured components meet Toyota's test standards. The department covers four areas of evaluation, namely: NVH (noise, vibration and harshness); strain/stress analysis; engine testing; and component testing.

Tony Bettencourt, who is a manager in the department, says, "The LDS V830 combination was purchased to conduct vibration tests on local components and assemblies. The main rationale behind our purchasing this model was the fact that it has a slip table for horizontal applications, which means that we can test components in all three planes, ie, vertical, lateral and fore and aft."

Checking out the LDS vibration system at Toyota are (from left), Shane Ramsey – test engineer, Warren Engler – principal engineer, and Tony Bettencourt - manager R&D

The LDS V800 series of medium and large air-cooled electro-dynamic shakers are designed for testing medium-sized payloads such as automotive components and other types of assemblies up to 600 kg. The latest addition to the range is the V830 'shock wind' vibrator, which is ideal for extra-high acceleration shock tests.

The Dactron range of controllers offers the complete range, from a small basic system to a full feature controller. This enhanced vibration test capability is a particularly important technology development for qualification testing of automotive airbag sensors.

"The upgraded shock performance is good news for LDS customers, both new and existing, who are seeking systems with high shock test capability," comments Dr Lawrence Grasty, director of technology at LDS. "The V830 vibrator with 185 mm armature can now perform extra-high acceleration shock tests. Shock performance ratings for the V800 range of air-cooled vibrators have been upgraded by up to 80%."

Bettencourt concludes, "This new acquisition will enable the department to conduct certain vibration tests that previously had to be either contracted out to Toyota Japan or other test facilities at a huge cost."

For more information contact Trevor Leong, Spescom MeasureGraph, 011 266 1572, [email protected]

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Toyota installs shaker system to test products

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