MTS tire force and moment measurement systems are now available with advanced MTS permanent magnet motor technology
MTS Systems Corporation has introduced a new generation of Flat-Trac test systems that feature advanced permanent magnet electric motors.
Compact and capable of delivering both high torque and high speeds, these electric motors increase test-system torque capacity, response and efficiency, yielding dramatic improvements in performance and real-world tire motion simulation.
The integration of electric spindle torque drives also simplifies system operation. Unlike hydrostatic drives, versatile electric drives do not have to be decoupled from the system during high-speed testing. Additionally, the electric motors have exceeded the mobility of hydraulic drives, allowing them to remain in operation during complex dynamic maneuvers such as the J-turn required in the FMVSS 126 test. Maintenance, too, is simpler as the electric motors require no fluid or hydromechanical infrastructure.
The performance benefits of the new electric spindle torque drive are evidenced in the increased capabilities of the latest Flat-Trac tire force and moment measurement systems: the Flat-Trac CT Plus can apply 6,000Nm of driving and braking torque to passenger car tires; the new Flat-Trac LTRe is capable of applying 10,000Nm of driving and braking torque to light truck and motorsport tires.
The immediate benefit of enhanced electric spindle torque drive performance is that it enables tire and vehicle manufacturers to evaluate a wider range of tires for traction and braking capability over a larger speed range.
In the longer term, this enhanced performance promises to open new possibilities in vehicle hybrid simulation. With a live Flat-Trac system running in tandem with a full-vehicle computer model, OEMs will be able to evaluate fully a physical tire’s interactions with other vehicle components and subsystems in the test lab, accelerating vehicle development processes and also lending real-world credibility to the model.
