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Seat Belt Anchorages
STATUS has a rig developed for testing seat belt anchorages to Directive
76/115/EEC. The rig bed is large enough to hold a minibus with up to about
20 seats and is fitted with 10 hydraulic rams each containing a load cell
interfaced to a data-logging computer.
The rig has been used for many types of vehicles including minibuses, taxis,
sports cars, limousines and replicas. It has also been used by seat manufacturers
developing products with integral belts.
The Seat Belt Anchorage Directive has two parts. The first concerns the anchorage
positions and requires the use of an SAE ‘manikin’. The second concerns the
anchorages’ strength, which must withstand a load which can be as much as 3
tonnes per seating position.
Tests at STATUS can be witnessed by a representative of the VCA
(Vehicle Certification Agency). The VCA can grant an approval towards UK Low
Volume or full European Whole Vehicle Type Approval. The operation of the rig
is subject to a quality control system, which has been successfully appraised by
the VCA.
We can carry out some part of the tests to the following Directives and we
can often provide advice about testing to other Directives:
- 71/127/EEC - Rear View Mirror
- 70/221/EEC - Metal Fuel Tanks
- 70/387/EEC - Door Latches and Hinges
- 76/756/EEC - Lighting Installation
- 77/541/EEC - Seatbelt Installation
Ambulance Testing
The following tests to the CEN standard can be undertaken:
- Acceleration
- Ventilation
- Gas scavenging
- Interior lighting
- Interior noise
- Infusion holding
Material Analysis And Component Testing
STATUS has a wide range of equipment at its disposal for testing the mechanical
properties of components and we have the ability to apply static loads in
tension, torsion, compression, shear and bending.
We also have the capability to undertake FEA and fatigue modelling studies
using ANSYS software. To supplement our range of tests we have access to an
Electron Microscope and an INCA Spectrometer, thus enabling chemical analysis
studies on materials to be undertaken.
In addition, we have a large hydraulic servo actuator. This is a large
hydraulic ram with very sophisticated control valves attached. It is capable
of exerting a tensile or a compressive force of up to three tonnes and, depending
on the distance over which it is moving, can cycle a component up to twenty
times per second. As we already have a digital controller, we can capture
almost any load history and feed it into the actuator. So far, it has proved
invaluable for determining the characteristics of suspension dampers and rubber
bushes and fatigue testing chassis of vehicles with an unladen weight of less
than 1000kg.
Testing to Motability standards
STATUS was instrumental in defining procedures for the Motability organisation to
improve quality control of Wheelchair accessible vehicles. As such we are the experts
in conducting these tests. The full list of tests to date are as follows:
- Wheel chair restraints and occupant restraints
- Ramp test
- Re-located spare wheel fixture
- Torsional Stiffness
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Testing
