Simulation table extends safety and performance testing

The test system will be used to simulate conditions faced by its products, which are used for transporting sporting equipment, when fastened to a car, travelling along any type of road. 

In 2008, Thule Group invested in its first Moog hydraulic simulation table and has recently expanded its testing capacity by ordering a next-generation table that can achieve test frequencies up to 100 Hz. The new turn-key test system consists of a high performance hydraulic simulation table with associated equipment such as a seismic mass (solid concrete block with air suspension), hydraulic infrastructure and a facility safety system. 

The system includes a data acquisition set-up, test controller and operator test software. Thule’s s decision to select Moog was based on the reliability and performance of its existing simulation table, the level of service provided by Moog over the years se.

Eric Gustavsson, Thule Group test manager, says the test system has proven to be very successful: “We simulate ‘time history files’ to accurately replicate any specific road conditions needed for the tests. The system itself is very compact and because of its lay-out provides excellent accessibility to our lab personnel. Our lab’s productivity is optimised by Moog’s software and the fast and simple iteration process. We use it very intensively, running it constantly, 24 hours per day. Due to Thule Group’s growing product portfolio and our continuous focus on product safety our testing needs have increased and so a second system was required.”

The Moog simulation table can be either an electric or a hydraulic design. The configuration used by Moog is the optimum design to achieve test acceleration, attain force or displacement inputs, and reproduce data collected on the test track or proving grounds. It can support heavy loads up to 680 kg while requiring only a minimum of space in the test lab.