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Kistler offers high-tech measuring and testing systems for the tire industry as well as tire research and testing.

Measuring and test systems for the tire industry

Take full advantage of top performance

The tire industry has to face increasing requirements that also apply to the measuring systems used by tire developers and manufacturers in their tire tests. Generally, vehicle tires have to fulfill ever-higher expectations and must comply with stricter international regulations with respect to fuel consumption, noise emission, safety and environmental standards.This is leading to a continuous overall increase in the approvals issued for tires that feature individual specifications for OEMs. Also, each car manufacturer gives priority to different tire characteristics such as steerability, sporting performance or ride comfort.

Electromobility, too, entails new requirements for tire specifications and therefore also for the development of measuring and test system for the tire industry. Tire tests are crucial for new electrified vehicles such as New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), electric vehicles (EV’s), and plug-in-hybrids (PHEVs) to guarantee their efficiency, safety and performance. The focus is here on energy consumption or range. High-performance measuring systems for tire tests help identify the optimal tire specifications regarding rolling resistance, durability (wear) and wet grip to optimize driving performance and vehicle safety. More weight compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines and the specific strain from the batteries necessitate customized, individual tire solutions for electrified vehicles (NEVs, EVs and PHEVs). These can only be developed on the basis of thorough tire tests.    

"Made-to-measure" tires are in demand. Flexible testing capacities and shorter test times are the keys to maintaining competitive edge. Highly professional test and measuring systems for the tire industry from Kistler allow you to achieve this.

Equipped for every tire test – play safe with our measuring and test systems for the tire industry, including tires for EVs, NEVs and PHEVs

  • Fast approvals
  • Wide application scope thanks to compact design
  • Short testing times thanks to high reliability based on maximum reproducibility
  • Tire tests for vehicles with internal combustion engines and electrified vehicles
The RoaDyn S220 measuring hub from Kistler used to measure the rolling resistance of a passenger car tire on the tire test stand. It captures wheel forces using the high-precision force measurement method as specified by the currently applicable standards
Measuring hubs from Kistler can be used on stationary tire test stands in the laboratory and also on mobile test rigs.
Tire test using a Kistler wheel force transducer to measure rolling resistance and an optical sensor for speed monitoring
Tire test – tire rolling resistance: comparative measurement on a curved carriageway (drum) to define the transfer factor

Measurement of rolling resistance on a tire of a NEV – the RoaDyn S220 measuring hub from Kistler (highlighted in blue) used to measure the rolling resistance of a passenger car tire (C1) on the tire test stand. It captures wheel forces using the high-precision force measurement method as specified by the currently applicable standards: ISO 28580, SAE J1269, and ECE R117.

Benefits of Kistler measuring and test systems for the tire industry and tire developers

A safe and sustainable investment

  • Long lifetimes thanks to robust and sustainable design
  • Low maintenance costs
  • For stationary and mobile tire tests
  • Ideal for upgrading tire test stands
  • Worldwide technical service from our local Service Centers

Reliable

  • Over 25 years of experience in tire testing for the tire industry
  • High-precision measuring hubs, measuring sensors and wheel force transducers for reliable measurement data
  • Validated measuring and test systems based on many years of operation by all the world's leading tire, automobile and test stand manufacturers
  • Overload protection

Efficient

  • Measuring hubs specially developed for highly dynamic or long-term measurements
  • Easy handling  
  • Different technologies (piezoelectric, strain gauge and optical measurement technology) to ensure optimal alignment with tire testing requirements

With every tire test you perform, take advantage of Kistler RoaDyn measuring hubs, measuring sensors and wheel force transducers – whether of vehicles with internal combustion engines, EV, NEV or PHEV!

Our measuring and test systems for the tire industry such as RoaDyn measuring hubs, measuring sensors and wheel force transducers record wheel forces and moments on tire test stands in laboratories and on mobile test vehicles. The force flux is optimized thanks to their compact design. This virtually eliminates parasitic influences such as force shunt, friction in the guideways, or influences due to large lever arms. Each measuring chain set up for a specific tire test is completed by matching electronics to simplify implementation in your test stand.

Uniformity tests (HSU, NVH) – benefits of our RoaDyn measuring hubs

RoaDyn P530 measuring hub, Type 9295B1
  • Validate tire noise through force measurement to complement the noise measurement done via microphone: this is crucial, as electrified vehicles (EVs, NEVs and PHEVs) are quite noiseless, due to the absence of the noise from the combustion engine. 
  • Detect disruptive vibrations of a tire or wheel as the basis for eliminating the disturbing noises caused by them
  • Validate the dynamic parameters of a tire model
  • Specifically developed for highly dynamic measurements
  • High measuring accuracy and natural frequency thanks to the excellent stiffness of piezoelectric sensors
  • High load capacities combined with compact design
  • Various designs for different load ranges up to 100 kN
  • Measuring hubs for use with passenger cars available within short periods
  • Adaptations possible to meet customers' individual requirements
  • Upgrade for existing test stands (e.g. in acoustics laboratories) at low cost and effort
     

Measurement of tire rolling resistance – advantages of our RoaDyn measuring hubs

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  • Tire rolling resistance measurements on vehicles with combustion engines and electrified vehicles (EVs, NEVs and PHEVs)
  • Specially developed strain gauge load cells feature high sensitivity.
  • Reduced testing times lead to cost savings of up to 30 percent by measuring with the force measurement method – two tires can be tested at the same time. 
  • Direct measurement of the tangential force Fx and the tire contact force Fz – the test stand can be controlled with no additional force measurement, and the tire's rolling resistance can be calculated.
  • Real measurements eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming downstream data processing.
  • Measuring hubs are specifically designed for wheel loads of 20 kN (passenger cars: C1) or 60 kN (trucks: C2, C3).

Measuring and test systems systems for the tire industry – we supply the complete measuring chain for your application – everything from one single source

Characterizing the NVH behavior of tires on the tire test stand

Disturbing tire noise and vibrations (HSU, NVH) are gaining importance as the transformation of mobility proceeds and the percentage of alternative propulsion systems, respectively of electrified vehicles (EVs, NEVs, PHEVs), continues to increase. Thanks to piezo-based measuring hubs specifically developed for highly dynamic measurements, you can quickly identify the critical frequency ranges and non-uniformities of your tire

You want to
  • Identify and analyze tire non-uniformities in all directions (NVH, HSU, flatspot, cleat)
  • Determine the tires' key data
  • Validate the dynamic parameters of tire models
Method
  • Accurately measure dynamic force variations in all three directions: radial force variation (RFV), lateral force variation (LFV) and tangential force variation (TFV)
  • Evaluate resonances and harmonic oscillations in the tire or the entire wheel
Measuring and test systems to measure tire rolling resistance – recommended equipment from Kistler
  • RoaDyn P530 measuring hub for passenger car tires
  • LabAmp charge amplifier

Determining tire rolling resistance on the tire test stand, as well as of electrified vehicles (EVs, NEVs, PHEVs)

You want to
  • Provide proof that rolling resistance design is optimal: a balance between minimum fuel consumption/minimum CO2 emissions and maintenance of safety-relevant tire characteristics and running performance 
  • Define the rolling resistance that is disclosed to the end customer in the form of the tire label
Method
  • Perform rolling resistance measurements on the tire test stand based on ISO 28580, SAE J1269 and ECE R117
  • Accurately measure the rolling resistance based on the force measurement method. For this purpose, both force directions (Fx and Fz) are measured directly in the measuring hub. Parasitic influences are largely eliminated because the force sensors are positioned directly at the point of load application.
Measuring and test systems to measure tire rolling resistance – recommended equipment from Kistler
  • RoaDyn S220 measuring hub to measure tire rolling resistance of of passenger car tires (NEV and cars with combustion engines) on the tire test stand (C1)
  • RoaDyn S260 measuring hub to measure tire rolling resistance of utility vehicle  on the tire test stand (C2/C3)
  • Digital electronics: KiRoad Tire Test, Type 9820Axx, serves up to four strain gauge based RoaDyn S2xy measuring hubs. Analog and digital output available.
  • Analog electronics: Type 5633A1 to serve one strain gauge based RoaDyn S2xy measuring hub, analog output 

Validating tire models

You want to
  • Validate tire models both statically and dynamically in order to optimize development times for new tires for vehicles with combustion engines and electrified vehicles (EVs, NEVs and PHEVs) and reduce the required numbers of test tires and tests
Method
  • Perform three-dimensional measurements of tire stiffness using a force plate whose measuring range can be matched exactly to the expected force
  • Use a drum test stand with mounted cleat for dynamic excitation of the tire/wheel and simultaneous measurement of the tire's frequency behavior
Measuring and test systems to validate tire models – recommended equipment from Kistler
  • Multicomponent dynamometer, Type 9255C to measure tire stiffness. Measures lowest lateral and longitudinal forces, even at high tire loads.
  • Highly dynamic RoaDyn P530 and P5MT measuring hubs are used to measure the force amplitudes, dynamic behavior of a tire, power spectrum density and impact transient time response in the cleat test
  • LabAmp charge amplifier

Custom dimensions and load ranges are also available.

The measuring hub from Kistler measures highly dynamic force variations on the tire test stand with cleat.

Validation of tire models: measurement of highly dynamic force variations

Robustly built tire test stand with underfloor drum and mounted cleat. The RoaDyn P530 measuring hub – based on the piezoelectric measuring principle – is installed on the tire test stand. The hub  measures the highly dynamic force variations up to the 10th harmonic and above.

Tire quality control in manufacturing: end-of-line (EOL) product testing

You want to
  • Assess the quality of tires or complete wheels based on measurement results at the end of the production line
  • Separate out unsatisfactory tires to prevent costly recall actions
Method
  • Measure the tire non-uniformity in all three directions in the slow range (TU, Tire Uniformity, 10 km/h) as well as the fast range (HSU, High Speed Uniformity, 120 km/h)
Measuring and test systems for tire quality control (EOL) recommended equipment from Kistler
  • Prefabricated and calibrated force plate to install the customer's spindle
  • Set of four preloaded 3-component force sensors (force links), Type 93x7, for independent installation in the machine structure

Solutions for customer-specific geometries and load ranges are possible.

Set of four preloaded 3-component force sensors (force links)

Preloaded 3-component force sensors from Kistler are a good choice for tire end-of-line (EOL) testing.

Acquire road load data during tire development

You want to
  • Capture road load data close to real values during a defined test procedure with the vehicle on the test track or in real traffic, in order to perform subsequent tire tests on the tire test stand efficiently, while conserving resources, and in less time
Method
  • Measure real forces, moments and speeds on the vehicle using wheel force transducers and speed sensors
Measuring and test systems to acquire road load data during tire development – recommended equipment from Kistler
  • RoaDyn S6xy 6-component wheel force transducer for wheel loads up to 60 kN
  • Correvit L-Motion optical sensor to measure longitudinal dynamics, Type 5335A
  • Correvit SFII, optical sensor, Type CSF2A to measure longitudinal and transverse dynamics
  • Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) or driving robots from Kistler simplify time-consuming and cost-intensive test drives for you – or they may even take over all the work (see below)
Fully equipped measurement vehicle for road load data acquisition
Fully equipped measurement vehicle to acquire road load data. With the addition of pedal and steering robots, Type CG300/Type CS-B20, test runs can largely be performed autonomously.

Force and moment (F&M) measurement, tire endurance and tire wear tests

Strain-gauge-based measuring hub’s for tire test stands enable long-term measurements of force and moment (F&M), tire endurance and tire wear tests including closed loop control based on the measured static forces.

You want to
  • Measure the forces and moments in the tire footprint to understand:
    • Wheel alignment behavior and contribution to steering
    • The spring rates of the tire in all three orthogonal directions
  • The impact of design adjustments into tire lifetime
Method
  • Perform force and moment (F&M) measurements on tire test stands. 
Measuring and test systems for force and moment (F&M) measurement – recommended equipment from Kistler
  • RoaDyn S530 measuring hub type 9289A013A1 / 9289A013A2  for passenger car tires up tp 30 kN load (C1/C2)
  • RoaDyn S5ST measuring hub type 9289A253 for truck and bus (T&B) tires up to 60 kN load (C2/C3)
  • RoaDyn S5MT measuring hub type 9289A273 for truck and bus (T&B) tires up tp 100 kN load (C2/C3)
  • Digital electronics KiRoad Tire Test type 9820Axx combined with type 5260A1120 / 5260A2120

Driving robots for efficient tire testing and highly accurate reproducibility (ADAS)

You want to
  • Save resources and money
  • Improve the accuracy of real tire tests on the car
  • Reduce amount of repetitive test runs through precisely driven test profiles
  • Receive consistent road load data with simultaneous use of Kistler wheel force transducers 
Method
  • Train the driving robot using the «Record and Replay» functionallity
  • Use predefined test procedures or develop your individual test profile
Driving robots for tire testing – recommended systems
  • Pedal Robots type CG300, CC800, CP800, CB2100
  • Steering Robots type CS-B20, CS-B40, CS-B60, CS-B60T, CS-B150T 

Non-destructive testing (NDT) of materials

You want
  • Periodical inspection of the structural components of wheel force transducers
  • Inspection of wheel force transducers after having performed tests involving excessive forces
  • Safety after an accident or an unexpected overloading of the wheel force transducers
Method
  • Non-destructive testing with X-ray technology
Kistler offer
  • Digital radiographic testing, also known as digital radiography (DR), of structural components, as per DIN EN 13068-3

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