The emergence of new vehicle and manufacturing technologies has led to the explosive growth of the automotive industry. New vehicle models and the addition of several new vehicle startups means that crash testing facilities around the world are experiencing an uptick in the number of tests being performed. To meet this growing demand, Calspan is investing in a group of testing technologies that increase the quality of data recorded, and allow developmental and compliance testing to new industry standards. As a part of this investment, Calspan has acquired, calibrated, and is now performing tests with the WorldSID 50M side-impact ATD (Anthropomorphic Test Device, or crash test dummy), equipped with RibEye. The Boxboro Systems RibEye measurement system is an evolutionary leap forward in chest displacement measurements.
Technical Advantages
Standard chest deflection measurement systems in a WorldSID 50M are complex linear displacement transducers combined with a rotary potentiometer. These 2 data channels must then be processed to derive the lateral and fore-aft displacement of a single point on each rib, resulting in 12 useful channels of data. The RibEye system outputs displacement in lateral, fore-aft, and vertical directions, at multiple points from each rib, resulting in up to 54 useful channels. Other WorldSID rib displacement systems rely on mechanical devices, moving parts, and sometimes non-linear calibrations. These parts rely entirely on a calibration standard and a setup process that can create data variances. Although many of the technicians who perform these setups are extremely experienced and create environments where data variances do not exist, the off chance of human error persists.
By using a series of LEDs that are tracked by sensors, the human error component of crash test set up and measurement monitoring is minimized. The data collection process becomes more reliable with higher volumes of useful data. Data processing is handled within the RibEye software that has proven to produce large quantities of accurate and readable data. The information produced by this software system increases accuracy and eliminates variation between labs. This system results in better test repeatability and cleaner data output.
Cost Benefit
IR-TRACCs (Infra-Red Telescoping Rod for the Assessment of Chest Compression), commonly found in the WorldSID 50M, may have a tendency to break because of the quick movements experienced during a crash test. This can increase the costs and time associated with testing for both the testing agency and the customer collecting data. Unfortunately, each test can only be performed once per vehicle. If the equipment used to collect data is broken during the test, the test must be run again with a new vehicle.
The RibEye measurement system reduces and mostly eliminates the need for repeat tests due to broken measurement equipment. Further, this system is generally immune from data capture anomalies such as noise spikes present in older mechanical testing equipment. Costs associated with crash testing can be normalized and anticipated when the methods used to collect data are not mechanical in nature. The Boxboro RibEye system removes the additional layer of uncertainty, resulting in a smaller variance of budget lines when calculating the true cost of a test.
Producing Better Data
ATD biofidelity and measurement equipment is rapidly improving, in an effort to develop safer vehicles in the event of a crash event. As automotive manufacturing processes improve, more startup vehicle manufacturers and high tech vehicles will require test laboratories who can gather better data quicker. In addition to the development of autonomous and other high-tech features on vehicles, passive safety standards will continue to increase.
The WorldSID 50M, in conjunction with the RibEye, is an evolutionary leap forward in vehicle side-impact safety testing.
If you have any questions, or would like to see how these systems are used today, contact us.
Date Posted
6/8/17Topic
Company News Mobility & Safety
