IABG puts second cylinder head test stand in operation at the location Ottobrunn

On 10 May 2012, IABG puts its new cylinder head test stand II in operation which extends the existing testing capacities and expands the application possibilities towards large and industrial engines.

The cylinder head test stand II allows for time-accelerated laboratory testing of thermal stress on cylinder heads and thus the verification of operating strength under cyclic thermal-mechanical stress. In contrast to conventional engine testing in permanent run, the cylinder heads can thus be tested at a very early development stage already, without the complete engine having to be available. Extensive and cost-intensive engine test stand runs and driving tests can thus be reduced to a minimum. This accommodates for the ever shorter development cycles in the automotive industry.

Heart of the facility is a burner unit operated with a propane oxygen mix, on which differently dimensioned cylinder heads can be tested in continuous operation with a total of six separately adaptable burners. The items under test can be heated up to operating temperature within a very short time, and be cooled down to moderate temperatures with cooling agents in freely definable and selectable cycles. Cooling is ensured via two separate cycles with different flow temperatures. Here, it is possible to perform the tests with customized cooling agents.

In the course of constructing the new test stand, a new and modern test stand building was also developed.

Compared with IABG’s already existing cylinder head test stand I, the cylinder head test stand II additionally features a modular structure. The individual burners can now be more variably positioned, so that cylinder heads of high-power engines can be examined as well. All components of the facility are designed for automated continuous operation, without service personnel in the test room. A camera system is installed at the test stand detecting and documenting cracks the very moment they occur. The open structure makes inspections during permanent operation possible. The test stand can be fully automatically controlled via a specially designed user interface. Attached to the test room is a control room as well as a separate assembly and storage area.

Andreas Schießl, Head of Sales of IABG’s business segment Automotive, appreciates the significance of the new test stand: “The second cylinder head test stand is yet another milestone on IABG’s way to becoming the strategic development partner in engine construction focusing on customised one-stop services in the sectors of testing, analysis and simulation.”