Automotive Testing Lab For Auto Manufacturers

Automotive Testing Lab For Auto Manufacturers

Modern automobiles are far more complex than they were just 10 or 15 years ago, and with that complexity comes increasing issues of reliability, interference, and safety. To that end, there are compliance tests to ensure that automobiles and automotive products meet strict regulations. The world of automotive testing and certification can be very complex, especially when the products in question are intended for the global market. An experienced automotive testing lab is, therefore, key to the success of your products.

What is the Purpose behind Automotive Testing?

The goal of automotive testing is to evaluate the safety and performance of automotive vehicles. Will the automobile (and the components that comprise it) function as expected in the presence of typical environmental conditions? Those environmental conditions can include weather-related conditions such as salt, rain, or other factors such as shock loadings, vibration, or extreme temperature fluctuations. These can be simulated in a laboratory setting to confirm how the automobile or its components react.

Modern vehicles have many electrical and electronic components that also need to be tested to ensure that they are not affected by electromagnetic interference and that they do not emit unacceptable levels of radiation. We could say that the overarching purpose of automotive testing is to ensure that the end vehicle and its components provide a safe, predictable experience.

Common Automotive Tests

There is a wide variety of tests that can be performed on an automobile (or automotive components) during its journey to market, including environmental simulation, EMC, e-Mark and E-Mark, electrical vehicle specific, battery testing, and OEM-specific.

Automotive Environmental Simulation Testing

Automotive environmental simulation testing takes a look at how your automobile (or your automotive components) react to just about anything they are likely to encounter during their lifetime. This can include exposure to chemicals (including salt), extreme temperatures (from very cold to very hot), vibration, impact loadings and other physical phenomena (friction, adhesion). Note that such tests can be performed on fully assembled components or the raw materials that make them up and are critical to the safety and reliability of automotive products.

Automotive Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing

Anything that runs on electricity, no matter how small the current, has the potential to react to or EM (electromagnetic) fields or emit their own EM fields that can interfere with the function of other devices. It is vital to the safety and performance of an automobile that all the systems and components comprising it meet certain EMC criteria. That type of testing is performed in a highly controlled laboratory setting according to strict regulations developed by organizations such as SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

e-Mark & E-Mark Testing

The e-Mark is an EU (European Union) approval mark while the E-Mark is an ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) certification. Both apply to automotive products (including vehicles, systems, and parts) that have met specific requirements. The automotive manufacturers seek e-mark or E-mark approval, which involves either the automotive directive 95/54/EC (72/245/EEC) or ECE Regulation No.10 and is focused on radiated immunity and emissions and final certification is provided.

Electric Vehicle Testing

Electric vehicle testing includes an emphasis on compatibility with new charging equipment as well as long-term battery performance. These tests look at requirements involving specific components as well as the infrastructure and may include specific OEM requirements, all with an eye toward preventing malfunctions that could lead to serious danger.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Testing

Electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), including electrical inlets, outlets, cables, connectors, and charging stations must be evaluated, tested, and certified, also. A complicating aspect of EVSE is the rapid development of new technology and the new regulations and compatibility issues the result.

Battery Testing

Batteries are critical to a variety of industries, including the automotive industry. Battery testing and certification ensures that your battery products meet the requirements for safety, reliability, and performance that is necessary for their release onto the market. This type of testing can include mechanical shock, climatic shock, impact resistance, temperature extremes, abuse response, reliability, and performance testing.

OEM-Specific Testing

There are many auto manufacturers that have developed in-house their own EMC and electrical test specifications. This includes carmakers such as BMW, Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, and Volkswagen. For example, three OEM-specific tests developed by BMW are BMW 600 13.0 – Electric/Electronic components in cars, BMW GS 95002 – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Requirements and Tests, and BMW GS 95003-2 – Electric/Electronic assemblies in motor vehicles.

Global Market Testing

The vast majority of automotive component manufacturers plan to export their products worldwide, and one of the major complications associated with entering a global market is ensuring that your products are certified for these various countries. This can lead to delays and additional costs because of multiple testing, but this entire process can be simplified by using a lab that supports testing for global markets.

Eurofins E&E North America: Your Solution to Automotive Testing

At Eurofins, we are the solution to all of your automotive testing needs. Our state-of-the-art laboratories can perform all aspects of the environmental testing that your automotive products (including fully assembled vehicles or individual components) need — giving you a full picture of how your products will perform under the environments they are likely to encounter. We multiple EMC chambers on both the east and west coast, and that includes a 10-meter chamber at every location. Eurofins’ provides testing, evaluation, and certification for regional, international, and OEM-specific standards, including those for EVSE and EV. We also offer pre-compliance testing to help you pinpoint potential problem areas so that they can be addressed before official testing starts, saving you time and money as you prepare your product for release on the market. In addition, we offer automotive testing for global markets and have extensive knowledge of how compliance varies from country to country. Contact Eurofins today to find out how our automotive testing lab can help you speed your product to market!