Auto Test Expo Gives Test Engineers a Break

October 27th, 2007

I’ve always liked trade shows. Trade shows give you a short break from your usual work routine, let you immerse yourself completely in a particular topic, and perhaps even teach you something new. When looked at in this light, the 2007 Automotive Testing Expo in Novi, MI was a great success.

With a full schedule of technical presentations and more than 300 exhibitors, you could certainly immerse yourself at the Expo. The technical presentations addressed some of the more pressing issues in automotive testing. These included test data management, data analysis, and advanced ECU tests. Data acquisition, as always, was also a hot topic.

Test equipment of all types was on display, from small test connectors to vehicle-sized environmental test chambers. When I attend a trade show, I always look for products and services that I hadn’t heard of before. In this respect, this conference didn’t disappoint.

One product in this category is the LTG Fahrtwind-Simulator. Despite the funny name, it’s a serious product. The Fahrtwind-Simulator provides a laminar airflow when testing a vehicle on a test stand that simulates the air flow that the vehicle would experience while on the road. Among the product’s many useful features are remote control to allow you to vary the airflow for dynamic simulations and variable height to accomodate different types of vehicles.

As for services, I had a nice visit with the folks at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds in Christchurch, New Zealand. They actually operate a cold-weather proving ground there, and because they’re in the southern hemisphere, the cold-weather test facilities are available in June, July, and August.

I’ll be reporting more on the technical sessions and new products in the days to come. Stay tuned.

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