Filter test station

Case study

Twin-column 10 kN systems for automotive filter destructive testing

A range of destructive tests on a heavy-duty automotive filter assembly

Solution

Software-controlled test stand
Bespoke range of fixtures

Benefits

Multiple tests performed on one machine
High-load destructive tests able to be performed

Requirement

The following tests were required in a simple-to-use system for a series of tests on automotive filters:

Tension force to break off the outlet tube from the housing.
Compression force to penetrate through the inlet housing of the filter.
Push-out force until break of a suspended base inside the air filter.
The operator was able to quickly interchange the fixtures to minimise the time needed for testing.

Solution

Two holders accommodated the various sizes of filter on the lower moving crosshead of the test stand. An 'L' shaped fixture connected to the S-beam loadcell was designed to accept either tension or compression probes. A cone point probe was used to perform the penetration test on the inlet housing. A horizontal location probe fitted into the hole of the outlet tube to pull it off from the filter housing. Both the maximum compression and maximum tension force for these tests were captured on the AFTI display.

The top portion of the air filter was then sawn off to allow access to the suspended base inside. The dumb-bell probe was placed inside the filter on the top of the filter base. The probe was then compressed until the base broke at forces in excess of 5 kN. Forces were applied using the 10 kN capacity test stand in the 'manual' mode, then the operator released the load when the filter was observed to break.