High-voltage batteries, electronics, and other vehicle components are exposed to a variety of punishing environmental influences during their life cycle. FEV, a global service provider in vehicle and powertrain development for hardware and software, supports manufacturers and suppliers with a comprehensive test facility capable of accounting for virtually all environmental factors.
With the new eDLP, FEV boasts the world's largest development and endurance test center for electric powertrain components. The facility is situated near Leipzig, Germany, and provides around 70 test systems dedicated to performance, durability, abuse testing, and more on a total area of 452,100 sq.-ft.
At the eDLP, 15 stations cover all common environmental tests. Special attention is given to the requirements of ISO 16750 (Road Vehicles – Environmental conditions and testing for electrical and electronic equipment) as well as UN Standard 38.3, proving suitability for transport.
In addition, the behavior of batteries and electronic components with regard to warranty commitments is a critical concern resolved for eDLP customers. Components of other vehicle assemblies can also undergo environmental testing at the eDLP.
Environmental test capabilities of eDLP include:
- Climatic tests/condensation: climatic cabinet and temperature chambers for temperature and humidity profiles between -40 and 194 F and 10-95 % RH
- Chemical resistance: climatic and temperature chambers to test the general resistance of materials to the effects of chemicals at different temperature and humidity profiles between -40 and 194 F and 10-95 % RH
- Surge water: temperature chamber with surge water system (ice water, dirty water) for thermal shocks
- Corrosion testing/salt fog: climatic chambers with salt fog spraying systems for different temperature and humidity profiles
- IP protection class: dust, strong jet water, hot water, etc.
- Dust testing: dust chamber with high air circulation for use with SAE J726 standardized Arizona Road Dust or talcum powder
- Dip tanks: two 3,700 gal. masonry dip tanks, in which test specimens can be immersed to a depth of over 3 ft.
- Negative pressure test: Vacuum temperature chamber for changing air pressure conditions
- Stone impact: Multi-impact tester with chilled cast iron granules
"Our team of experts at the eDLP provide advice and support in the specification of individual test objectives. If required, we also develop suitable test cycles and take over their execution," says Prof. Stefan Pischinger, President and CEO, FEV Group. "We extract data from our findings and insert determinations directly back into the development process for our customers. This not only shortens virtual iteration loops, but also reduces real test requirements; and thus saves both time and money on the way to product series maturity."
The dimensioning and performance profiles of the individual test rigs are designed for maximum flexibility and to meet or exceed the requirements of all testing standards commonly used in the U.S., Asia and Europe. Like all test rigs in the eDLP, environmental tests run in 24/7 operation to ensure the fastest possible processing of projects and the continuous flow of information to customers. Clients can also be connected to selected test benches in real time and follow test runs of their product live. Once test cycles have been completed, there is also the option of being present virtually during the findings: This allows results to be exchanged directly and solution approaches or next steps to be coordinated together with the eDLP experts for unparalleled efficiency.
