MTS engineers establish a new industry benchmark for tire force and moment measurement technology.
Flat-Trac® systems set the global standard for tire performance testing. Highly accurate and repeatable, these laboratory-based test systems apply real-world cornering and traction forces to tires spinning on a continuous flat belt, allowing developers to gain deep insight into how specific tire designs affect vehicle dynamics and performance. MTS engineers recently finished a comprehensive update to the industry-leading Flat-Trac CT Plus, integrating an array of mechanical and software innovations stemming from twelve years of operation and feedback from tire manufacturers, OEMs, contract test labs, and research universities.
The Enhanced Flat-Trac CT Plus
The Enhanced Flat-Trac CT Plus
A. An Optimized Flat-Belt Roadway features a redesigned water bearing that reduces leakage and supports larger footprint tires, a new laser sensor that improves belt tracking, and innovations that improve both system performance and longevity.
B. A Re-Engineered Frame delivers higher camber (-10°/+45°) and slip (±30°), doubles the system’s natural frequency to ensure stability and precision, and provides safe access for quick and efficient tire change-out and system maintenance.
C. An Enhanced Tire Drive Spindle features a higher torque (6600Nm) permanent magnet electric motor, a higher capacity (up to 10,000Nm) torque cell and coupling, and a stiffer, higher capacity (30 kN) load cell.
D. New TestSuite™ Tire Software provides improved slip ratio vibration controls and an updated tire test definition toolset; the latest FlexTest® Controller delivers increased loop speeds and expanded EtherCAT and CAN Bus support.
E. System Status & Health Monitoring software provides real-time tracking of key Flat-Trac tire test system and SilentFlo Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) performance data via SMS or email alerts from web-enabled smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
F. A new Belt Handling Cart enables a single operator to quickly, safely, and efficiently install and change out stainless steel roadway belts.
G. Next-generation SilentFlo 525 HPUs employ an innovative hybrid combination of efficient digital displacement pump (DDP) modules and conventional swash plate pump modules to reduce energy use by 35% or more compared to older models.
H. An improved Water Bearing Supply employs a simplified design to enhance ease-of-use and enable more efficient, lower cost operation.
