Calspan Becomes CAPA Approved Laboratory

BUFFALO, NEW YORK | June 5, 2021 – On May 26, 2021, Calspan Corporation became a Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) Approved laboratory to execute CAPA 501 Full Part Dynamic Crash Testing (FPDT). CAPA 501 is standard for the certification of aftermarket bumper parts such as steel bumpers, reinforcements, brackets, and energy absorbers, whereby comparative testing is conducted of the aftermarket part to its OEM counterpart. This standard ensures that aftermarket parts manufactured by third parties are functionally equivalent to the name brand, original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM’s) part.

“Calspan pursued this laboratory approval in response to a growing need within the aftermarket parts industry for an independent lab who could provide high quality and throughput,” said Gerald Goupil, Senior Director, Vehicle Crash Testing of Calspan Corporation. Furthermore, he noted, “this valuable work will be performed by the experienced staff of Calspan’s Vehicle Crash Test business unit.”

These tests are within Calspan’s state-of-the-art indoor laboratory, which opened in 2018. This lab received international recognition in 2018 and 2019 when it was awarded “Crash Test Lab of the Year.” This facility has everything needed to prepare for as well as execute tests within one building. These tests include internal combustion engine, hybrid, fully electric vehicles, and front-end structures like bumper assemblies. In addition, this building also has private customer rooms, badge access vehicle preparation garages, an ATD laboratory, two secure Crash Halls, and a secure shipping and receiving dock. Plus, Calspan has unique assets like high-resolution load cell walls used to validate CAE crash simulation models and virtual means for customers to participate with test setup and execution remotely from their office.

About Calspan Corporation
For more than 75 years, Calspan has provided research, development, and testing services in the aerospace and transportation industries. Internationally recognized for safety research and innovation, Calspan works with leading aerospace and transportation companies both domestically and globally. The company’s headquarters is in Buffalo, NY, with additional divisions in Ronkonkoma, NY, Niagara Falls, NY, Newport News, VA, San Diego, CA, and St. Paul, MN.