Performance Automotive

Archive for June, 2011

Automotive air bag testing is a efficient guarantee for more accurate, reactive and reliable performance of air bag. Air bag is one of the passive protection systems for automotives, which is directly linked to passenger safety.

According to traffic accident analysis, two thirds of car crush accidents are happening in front of cars; therefore, front air bag system is more broadly applied.

In order to have better performance, air bag design, development and manufacture are all very important. The contents are as follows:

1. Automotive Air Bag Permeation Testing

The material of automotive air bag is a laminated film of rubber and nylon. Air bag is filled with helium when working.

The rapid filling of air bag is of great importance. It is a must for the passenger to be stopped by the fast filled bag which can also exhaust promptly. Therefore, excellent and proper permeation performance of air bag is very important.

Labthink DM 2/330 Differential and Equal Pressure Method Gas Permeability Tester can test film and laminated materials including air bag laminated material. This tester can execute differential pressure and equal pressure in the same chamber. Three specimens can be tested simultaneously in 3 chambers. Poisonous, explosive and other gases can be tested as well. The temperature control range is 5C-95C, which is very convenient to test the permeability performance of airbag during storage and when triggered by heat.

2. Automotive Air Bag Smoothness and Open Easiness Tests

Good smoothness and open easiness of automotive air bag are vital to backup air bags and quick reaction when the passenger is in danger. The material of air bag is rubber coated nylon. In order to test air bag smoothness and open easiness, Labthink Instruments Co. Ltd introduces airbag testers as follows:

A. MXD Series of Coefficient of Friction Tester is applicable in static and kinetic coefficient of friction test to plastic film, foils, sheets and paper. Through testing the smoothness of the materials, airbag safety can be guaranteed to meet the demands. This series of products includes MXD-01, MXD-01A and MXD-02.

B. FTP-F1 Friction/Peel Tester: is computer control, and can test the material coefficient of friction between room temperature and 99.9 Centigrade as well as peeling strength of laminated films and adhesive products, which is very important to air bag testing.

3. Automotive Air Bag Tensile Testing and Impact Testing

Automotive air bag receives the signal from the sensor, and turns open within a few seconds so as to protect passenger. Since the open speed to its full is in a limited time of 0.3 seconds so as to resist shock and attack from the outside. Therefore, it is a must for air bag with good tensile performance.

In order to guarantee excellent tensile performance, Labthink Instruments Co. Ltd. introduces new series of tensile and impact testers according to international regulations and standards.

A. Labthink PARAM XLW Series Auto Tensile Testers can test tensile, deformation, tearing, pierce, peeling and other items for films, laminated films and flexible packaging materials, etc. Put the air bag specimen onto the clamps, set the testing speed and start testing.

B. Automotive Air Bag Impact Resistance Testing

At the very moment of air bag opening, it will make a space to release the forward strength of the passenger. Air bag impact performance control can prevent air bag breakage due to low flexibility so as to effectively avoid protection failure of low air bag quality. Usually, impact is tested with falling dart impact tester.

Labthink introduces new BMC-B1 Falling Dart Impact Tester to test air bag impact resistance by falling dart method. It is to test the relevant strength needed to tear the air bag material according to ASTM D 1709, JIS K 7124 and GB 9639, etc. The whole testing process is automatic; testing data are processed by minicomputer.

4. Automotive Air Bag Seal and Leak Testing Instruments

Automotive air bag should be filled instantly by the burning helium when the sensor got the emergency signal. Therefore, automotive air bag integrated seal and leak testing is an important index for automotive air bag quality. Labthink Instruments Co., Ltd. introduces PARAM Leak Tester to test air bag seal and leak performance.

Labthink PARAM MFY-01 Leak Tester determines whether the air bag meets the requirements through observation of emerged air bag in distilled water with inside-out pressure difference. This tester is of simple operation and micro-computer control. It complies with ASTM D3078 and GB/T 15171 and provides accurate data.

5. Automotive Air Bag Peeling Testing Instruments

Automotive air bag is made up of the outer nylon material and the inner rubber. Owing to the long-term storage for emergency, a long period of aging, good peeling resistance strength of the nylon and rubber layers is very important so as to avoid insufficient gas filling caused by rubber layer peeling.

Labthink Instruments Co. Ltd. introduces PARAM XLW series of auto tensile testers so as to meet the testing demand for air bag peeling. This tester is applicable to test tensile, peeling, deformation, tearing and adhesive strength of laminated films and adhesive tapes. PARAM XLW Series Auto Tensile Testers are mini-computer control, and can test multiple data with reliable and accurate results. These testers are equipped with professional software. Also, they are complying with ASTM, ISO, JIS and GB standards.

Labthink Instruments Co., Ltd.

No. 144 Wuyingshan Road, Jinan 250031, China

Tracy Bao  info@labthink.cn

Tel: 0086 531 85061153  fax:0086 531 85812140

Labthink, the excellent provider of testing instruments and testing services, is devoted to provide most excellent and complete quality control solutions for pharmaceutical, foodstuff, cosmetics, packaging, printing, adhesive, automotive, petrochemistry, environment, biology, new energy, construction, aviation and electronic industries worldwide.

Labthink is devoted to share excellent quality testing and control techniques with global clients and is known for wide coverage of international testing standards. Labthink participates in the drafting of several important standards of food, pharmaceutical and packaging industries, and is the excellent partner of national certification institutes.

Labthink has also established cooperation with IGT, Rycobel, Metrotec, Chilton, Moroka and other renowned distributors to provide attentive and prompt technical services for her customers in more than 40 countries and regions.

Labthink aims at creating satisfactory value and professional services for her customers.

Labthink, think for you only!

You’ve probably been dreaming about it for years. You’ve probably noticed this model of car when driving your own and pointed it out to your bemused passenger. For a while now it’s probably been in the back of your mind on every sunny day. And now for one reason or another you feel close to finally making the decision. You’re probably very excited… and maybe a little scared…

What follows is some common advice to help make sure that the love affair you are about to embark on is as pleasurable as possible, and help you avoid some of the disaster stories associated with classic and performance car ownership.

When to buy

Most people agree Autumn or Winter is the wisest time to shop for an classic or performance car. Many people will hold onto their cars during the summer to get the last season of enjoyment out of it before letting go. In addition a lot of would-be owners don’t think about their dream until the sun starts to shine again. So at this time of year it is generally a buyer’s market, offering the best bargains.

Choosing the right car for you

Before you dive into shopping for your dream car, it’s worth stepping back an giving some careful thought to what you want from your car.

Do you want:

– A restoration project? Often people find this approach far more expensive than simply buying a car in good condition to start with. It also can take considerably longer than you expect, but if you are a skilled mechanic with plenty of time on your hands, you just may want to take it on.

– A good runner that you can tinker with in your spare time and gradually improve? Make sure you have a good set of tools and lots of spare time – you may be tinkering more than you anticipated.

– An everday car? There are many classic and performance cars that are suitable for everyday use, but you may want to carefully consider fuel efficiency, safety and all weather use before you commit.

– A Sunday/Summer driver? Reliability and easy upkeep are probably your primary concerns. Plus pose factor of course!

– An investment opportunity? I personally wouldn’t bet on it. However a large number of classic and performance cars won’t depreciate significantly, so you’re still better off.

– A show winner? Glory could be yours! Or not.

You probably have a marque and model in mind, but if not, you can inspire yourself by attending car shows, reading car magazines, or simply surfing the web. Popular cars tend to be a good choice for first-timers, usually they are plentiful and it’s easy to find information, parts and help. Coltmans also offers a wealth of information on a wide range of popular classic and performance cars, including high quality buyer’s guides – why not choose a few see what takes your fancy.

Where to look

There are many, many places to find a classic car. These include online and physical auction, dealers, classified ads in magazines, owners clubs and of course a plethora of websites. My recommendation: start with Google!

What to look for

Once you’ve chosen the make and model of your dream car – make sure you do your research. Why not get hold of a Coltmans Buyers Guide, which cover everything potential owners need to know, including: history, model details, specs and stats, detailed buying tips and a price guide.

Obviously a big consideration is price – but working out how much you should pay can be difficult. Publications such as Parker’s can provide clear guidelines for modern cars, but for classics you will have to do a little more research. The following make good sources of pricing information :

- Classifieds sections in magazines for typical prices

- Recommended valuations by car owners clubs

- Similar sold items on Ebay

- Search the web!

It’s a clich?, but when it comes to buying a classic or performance car you get what you pay for.

Preparing to go and see it

So, you’ve found something you’re interested in. Typically you’ll start the process with a phone call and a list of questions. It’s important that you get the right information at this stage so you don’t waste time and disappoint yourself. You are trying to establish:

- The authenticity of the seller (if a private sale)

How long have you owned the car? Why are you selling? Be suspicious about people selling ‘for a friend’, or those that want to meet you away from there home or work address.

- The condition of the vehicle

How many owners? Any problems? Any repairs needed?

- The terms of the sale

Roughly how much are you asking for? Don’t reveal your budget at this stage.

If it sounds good, ask to arrange a viewing and a test drive. You may want to arrange for a mechanic, vehicle inspector or knowledgeable friend to go with you. If you do plan to bring somebody along, let the seller know now so they are not surprised when you arrive.

Prepare a checklist (available in each Coltmans Buyers Guide) and print it out. Take this with you and keep your maximum budget and must-have requirements clear in your mind.

Viewings and test drives

You’ll find yourself looking for the car from up the street. And when you do see it (assuming it’s not a wreck) it can be quite an emotional experience. Like Christmas morning as a child. STOP. Calm down. Steel yourself the realisation that you are about to part with cold, hard cash. Remember that this isn’t the only one out there, and that its worth getting what you really want.

So introductions are over its time to get on with it. My recommendation would be to focus first on three key things:

1. Condition

2. Condition

3. Condition

Alright I know that’s only one. The point is that it can be very easy to forgive lots of fault in a beautiful car. You need to keep your standards realistic relative to your budget, but typically skimping here will end up costing you more in the long run. If you choose a car that is in poor condition, it is likely that it has not be well maintained and may be needing a lot more than just a polish.

Remember however that a regularly used car kept in good condition (including regular servicing) is likely to be a more reliable motor that one that sits motionless for most of the year. Also bear in mind that a classic car could be 30 or more years old, and it highly likely a car of that age will have some faults. Don’t let that put you off – with classics it’s not about finding a perfect vehicle – it’s about deciding what you can live with and what you can’t.

Go through your checklist and don’t be afraid to ask challenging or basic questions. Try to ask for facts rather than opinions, and don’t be rushed or intimidated into hurrying your inspection. Review all documentation in detail, but remember that older classic cars may not have a slightly sketchier history after lots of owners.

A test drive is very, very important, but is also a dangerous time when you can easily fall in love with a car. Often in a private sale, the owner will not let you drive without demonstrating you have adequate insurance. I have bought several cars after being a passenger during a test drive. Just watch the driver carefully for any strange behaviour which might be he is compensating for a poor car. On the drive keep all your senses open to any unusual noises, vibrations or movements and check instrumentation is working properly. Once again don’t be afraid to ask about anything that makes you curious. Above all try to imagine if the car was yours – how does it make you feel? Should be pretty damn spectacular….

Closing the deal

Assuming the test drive went well, you may well be ready to make an offer. I don’t intend to teach negotiation in this article, but it might help to remember a few basic things:

- There is always room to haggle and it’s always worth making a low offer

Remember it is very, very unlikely this car is a one-off – you can find another one somewhere else

- Know your limits. If you spend too much you may not be able to maintain your car

- Above all – use your HEAD – but not too much – buying a beautiful car can be a very special experience.

Taking it home

Just a few things that you should bear in mind.

1. Insurance. Make should you find out what the insurance is likely to be in advance and include it in your budgeting. Then make sure you remember to take it out before you drive home!

2. Storage. Storing a classic car will help preserve its condition and its value. A garage is obviously ideal – don’t forget you may be able to rent a garage even if you don’t have one on your property. If no garage is available consider an outdoor cover. Make sure it is breathable and waterproof.

3. Be prepared! Classic and performance cars can often be very expensive to maintain. Ensure you have budgeted for this. There is no point owning your dream car if you can’t afford to keep it running.

Finally… good luck and enjoy!

Volvo means “I roll” in Latin and is founded in 1927 by SKF (Smith, Kline & French). The Volvo Group is a Sweden supplier of transport solutions for commercial purpose such as buses, trucks, construction equipments, financial services, marine engines and aerospace components. The first car built by this group is Volvo ÖV4. The Trademark of this group is equally owned by AB Volvo and Volvo Car Corporation. The main motive of the company is to own, maintain, protect and preserve its trademarks which include Volvo, Volvo Aero and Volvo Penta. The main aim is also to act against unauthorized registration and use of trademarks similar to the Volvo trademarks. The Group has about 100,000 employees and customers around 180 countries worldwide. Volvo performance chip is one of its useful product.

A Performance Chip is used to give energy boost to your engine. It also helps your engine or vehicle to gain power and resist a longer period of time. These are mainly of three types such as Control Modules, Power Programmers and Engine Management Systems (EMS). Each type has its own unique capabilities and characteristics but they have the same function of propelling the performance of your vehicle. Control Module plugs directly into the electrical system having various sensors and the computer. The module receives the data before it has a chance to reach the onboard computer. After that, it analyses the information, determines the accurate adjustments to the air-fuel ratio and timing, then sends commands to the onboard computer. It delivers accurate, immediate tuning for your engine because it is always plugged in and constantly reading and interpreting data from your sensors. The Installation process is very simple and does not take more than 15 minutes. Power Programmers reconfigure your vehicle’s onboard computer to perform at peak levels. These are plug-n-use devices. The advantage is that you have greater control over the tuning of your system. Engine Management Systems (EMS) is a complete replacement for your stock onboard computer. These are designed to customize your car, truck according to your exact specifications. You can fix Volvo Performance Chip inside your engine compartment. Once it is installed, you can unplug the wires from your old computer and plug them into the new one. It uses the readings from your sensors to run your engine at its peak level.

Volvo Performance Chip is designed to increase the power and performance of the Volvo. This is specially made for the year and model to ensure the performance and customer satisfaction. The technical engineers have tested this feature for longevity and durability of Volvo. It works with the existing computer to reconfigure and recognize the air to fuel ratio and thus create more power. This feature feeds your engine or vehicle with a heavy dose of power. It also prevents unrealized Volvo potential. It is a key to open the gates of full throttle power for your vehicles. A Volvo has a built-in computer which can be reconfigured to unlock its full potential in terms of air-fuel ratio, automatic transmission shifting and timing. Plugging a high-tech into it may result to a greater engine efficiency because it accelerates faster, tow harder and pass quicker without burning extra fuel or gasoline. Another thing is that you will be able to custom-tune your vehicle depending on your driving style and modifications. Also you will experience faster off-line acceleration and rapid passing because it will create massive boosts in both torque and horsepower across the entire RPM range. Some of the brands are Jet Chips Volvo ECM Recalibration Kit – Volvo 440, Jet Chips Volvo ECM Recalibration Kit – Volvo XC90, Hot Tools Volvo ECM Programmer – Volvo V70, Hot Tools Volvo ECM Programmer – Volvo C70 etc.