Kinematic & Compliance Deflection Measurement
Quantify the mechanical properties of suspension and steering subsystems.
Measuring the kinematic and compliance deflection characteristics of axles and suspensions is vital for ensuring vehicle safety, handling precision, and ride comfort. These tests assess how components respond to forces during acceleration, braking, or cornering, affecting tire contact, alignment, and overall stability. Manufacturers, testing labs, and research institutions typically perform such testing using advanced rigs to simulate real-world conditions. Insights from these tests guide design improvements, ensuring optimal performance and durability while meeting safety standards.
Test Methods
Global standards for kinematic and compliance (K&C) deflection measurement testing ensure consistency and reliability in evaluating suspension systems. Standards such as ISO 4130 and SAE J1574 outline test methods for assessing deflections under controlled loads and motions. These standards specify parameters like displacement, forces, and moments applied to axles or suspension systems to simulate real-world conditions.
Testing methods typically involve static and dynamic approaches. Static tests measure deflection under steady - or nearly steady - forces, while dynamic tests simulate varying loads experienced during driving. Equipment like K&C test rigs are used to capture critical data on alignment changes, roll steer, and camber compliance while subjecting the vehicle to loading in various directions. Standards also define reporting formats to enable uniform data interpretation, ensuring comparability across designs. These regulations guide manufacturers and testing facilities in optimizing suspension performance and meeting safety and handling requirements.
Test Results
Automotive manufacturers, test labs, and research institutions use Kinematic and Compliance (K&C) deflection measurement data to optimize suspension designs, ensuring precise handling, ride comfort, and safety. The data informs adjustments to alignment, roll steer, and camber compliance, enabling better performance under real-world conditions. It also aids in benchmarking, validating simulations, and meeting regulatory standards and customer expectations.
MTS Product Solutions
MTS Kinematic & Compliance (K&C) Measurement Systems stand out for their exceptional precision, flexibility, and versatility, making them indispensable in vehicle suspension development. These systems utilize strain-based load cell technology for highly accurate, repeatable measurements across a wide frequency range, from static (DC) to 10 Hz. The innovative moving road plane design supports diverse applications, including static K&C assessments, vehicle body rigidity, active subsystem development, and structural response analysis. Unlike limited competitive designs, MTS systems are modular and easily configured to meet evolving testing needs, accommodating varying vehicle sizes, wheelbases, and protocols without additional software. Advanced control systems and intuitive software enable seamless test customization, real-time data analysis, and efficient operation. Renowned for accuracy, reliability, and robust support, MTS machines ensure consistent results across installations, supporting R&D, quality control, and product optimization. This combination of innovation and user-friendliness solidifies MTS' industry leadership.
Test Methods
Global standards for kinematic and compliance (K&C) deflection measurement testing ensure consistency and reliability in evaluating suspension systems. Standards such as ISO 4130 and SAE J1574 outline test methods for assessing deflections under controlled loads and motions. These standards specify parameters like displacement, forces, and moments applied to axles or suspension systems to simulate real-world conditions.
Testing methods typically involve static and dynamic approaches. Static tests measure deflection under steady - or nearly steady - forces, while dynamic tests simulate varying loads experienced during driving. Equipment like K&C test rigs are used to capture critical data on alignment changes, roll steer, and camber compliance while subjecting the vehicle to loading in various directions. Standards also define reporting formats to enable uniform data interpretation, ensuring comparability across designs. These regulations guide manufacturers and testing facilities in optimizing suspension performance and meeting safety and handling requirements.
Test Results
Automotive manufacturers, test labs, and research institutions use Kinematic and Compliance (K&C) deflection measurement data to optimize suspension designs, ensuring precise handling, ride comfort, and safety. The data informs adjustments to alignment, roll steer, and camber compliance, enabling better performance under real-world conditions. It also aids in benchmarking, validating simulations, and meeting regulatory standards and customer expectations.
MTS Product Solutions
MTS Kinematic & Compliance (K&C) Measurement Systems stand out for their exceptional precision, flexibility, and versatility, making them indispensable in vehicle suspension development. These systems utilize strain-based load cell technology for highly accurate, repeatable measurements across a wide frequency range, from static (DC) to 10 Hz. The innovative moving road plane design supports diverse applications, including static K&C assessments, vehicle body rigidity, active subsystem development, and structural response analysis. Unlike limited competitive designs, MTS systems are modular and easily configured to meet evolving testing needs, accommodating varying vehicle sizes, wheelbases, and protocols without additional software. Advanced control systems and intuitive software enable seamless test customization, real-time data analysis, and efficient operation. Renowned for accuracy, reliability, and robust support, MTS machines ensure consistent results across installations, supporting R&D, quality control, and product optimization. This combination of innovation and user-friendliness solidifies MTS' industry leadership.
- K&C Systems apply precise motion or force input(s) into tire patches or spindles to measure the kinematic and compliance (K&C) deflection properties of vehicle suspension and steering assemblies for passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks and commercial vehicles.
- Dynamic K&C Systems apply precise motion or force input(s) into tire patches or spindles to measure K&C properties and characterize vehicle suspension and steering assemblies under dynamic, synthetic, or real-world transient driving maneuver inputs.
- Axle Carrier Fixture (ACF) Systems accurately replicate real-world boundary conditions for axle and steering subassemblies and can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of test systems, including K&C and Dynamic K&C systems.
- Mechanical Hardware-in-the-Loop (mHIL) Solutions combine computational full-vehicle models with physical test systems and specimens to create vehicle-level simulation environments that enable meaningful evaluation and validation subsystems and vehicles earlier in development.
- FlexTest® Controllers deliver high-speed closed-loop control, function generation, transducer conditioning and data acquisition. Full-featured performance application software software, user-level scripts, flexible test definition, and advanced compensators enable the highest levels of test system controllability and fidelity.
- Series 295 Isolation Hydraulic Service Manifolds (ISHM)/MTS SafeGuard™ Technology increases predictable control of the hydraulic system and implements advanced safety features in accordance with ISO 13849 to meet regional safety performance levels (PLc, PLd, PLe).
- SilentFlo™ Hydraulic Power Units (HPU) feature state-of-the-art motors and cooling circuits to generate highly reliable and energy efficient hydraulic power. SilentFlo HPUs are easy to operate and maintain with fewer parts, accessible controls, and improved filtration.
