Automotive test equipment designed for stricter procedures

3rd April 2018

Horiba

Lanna Deamer

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Supplier in the fields of engine test systems, driveline test systems, brake test systems, wind tunnel balances and emissions test systems, HORIBA has supplied MAHLE Powertrain with a suite of test equipment for its newly-constructed Real Driving Emissions (RDE) Testing Centre. The centre is the first of its kind in the UK and will allow MAHLE Powertrain to test a vehicle’s conformity to the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

The suite of HORIBIA (ATS) equipment includes a MEXA-ONE D2 OV system for feed-gas and tailpipe gas analysis (for pre- and post-catalytic converter analyses respectively), a MEXA-ONE C1 OV for dilute exhaust gas analysis (including CH₄ and N₂O as required by emerging regulatory tests), a CVS-ONE constant volume sampler and a DLS-ONE particulate sampler.

The ‘ONE’ in these products’ names denotes the use of a common operating software platform, providing better control and keeping down-time between tests to a minimum. Other equipment supplied for the RDE Testing Centre includes a booster sample pressure unit, to ensure sufficient emissions sampling at simulated altitudes of up to 5,000m, and instrumentation geared towards the testing and development of pure and hybrid vehicles with electric drivetrains.

Derek Wise, Chief Engineer (test and build) at MAHLE Powertrain commented: “Delivery of specialist emissions testing equipment from HORIBA represents an important milestone in the development of our new RDE Centre. MAHLE has enjoyed a healthy relationship with HORIBA for several years and recognises their testing technology to be world-leading.”

Pre-delivery, the suite of equipment was factory acceptance tested, calibrated (using sample gases where applicable and with results recorded) and integrated on HORIBA UK’s premises, just five miles away from MAHLE Powertrain’s new testing centre.

Ana Anyaeji, HORIBA UK Sales Manager, commented: “Our relationship with MAHLE Powertrain is one of close collaboration and it’s very exciting to be supplying them with this wealth of equipment for such an advanced test facility. We’re also looking forward to the next phase of the project, which will be the commissioning of the test equipment using vehicles under simulated loading, temperature and altitude conditions.”

Earlier in the year, HORIBA supplied a four-wheel drive (4WD) chassis dynamometer (a.k.a. ‘dyno’ or ‘rolling road’) which will be used to simulate the loading a vehicle experiences when driving uphill. The dyno’s rollers can also be driven to simulate descents, during which EVs will be regenerative braking.