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	SwRI’s axial fatigue test rig can be used to quickly and inexpensively screen early connecting rod prototypes for axial fatigue strength before they are placed in a running engine.

As a result of a long history of service to the global automotive industry, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is known worldwide. For more than 60 years, SwRI has been a leader in automotive research and development. Services to automotive industries include:

• Powertrain design and development

• Fuels and lubricants research

• Emissions research

• Fleet testing

SwRI is well known for its automotive fatigue and vibration analysis capabilities. A variety of evaluation fixtures are available and can be configured to evaluate many types of automotive components. Multiple facilities and experienced engineering and technical staff are available to perform root cause analysis of failures as well as determination of various failure modes. Potential failure modes can be identified and quantified, and resulting failures can be predicted using failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA).

Often, when parts fail in consumer operation, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) turn to SwRI for an immediate investigation, which may lead to a remedy. When emergency testing is required to fulfill regulatory or in-field needs, SwRI can develop client programs that can be completed quickly, delivering results with well-documented, detailed information that can include metallurgical and stress analysis of various automotive components as requested.

Capabilities

SwRI provides fatigue and vibration testing and analysis on a wide variety of automotive parts and components, including:

	Automotive catalytic converters undergo full-flow thermal cycle and hot vibration testing to ensure durability for the vehicle life. Catalyst substrates and support systems are evaluated under accelerated test conditions following OEM, component supplier, or SwRI test protocol.

Exhaust Systems

• Automotive catalytic converters

• Diesel catalyst systems

• Flow diverters and mixers

• Turbochargers

• Reductant delivery systems

• Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and coolers

Engine Hardware

• Cylinder heads

• Rocker arms

• Crankshafts

• Connecting rods

• Engine blocks

• Intake manifolds

• Exhaust manifolds

• Brackets

Vibration Testing

Extreme field environments can be simulated in the SwRI laboratories. Vibration test and environmental systems provide custom evaluations to meet specific client needs. Custom vibration fixturing enables even the most unique components to be evaluated under accelerated test conditions. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) analysis is available on a variety of components.

Fatigue Testing

Load frames for mechanical fatigue testing are used to re-create extreme forces on various components. Hydraulic fatigue testing is also available, with customized operating parameters specified according to client needs.

For more information about our mechanical evaluation of engine and emissions components (fatigue and vibration)  capabilities, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Mark Tussing at mtussing@swri.org or

(210) 522-2628, or Martin J. Heimrich at mheimrich@swri.org or (210) 522-3022.

autofatigueandvibration.swri.org

| Design and Development | Engine, Emissions & Vehicle Research Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

April 25, 2013