The transformation of testing

Software is helping physical tests produce more accurate results more efficiently.

When companies do things to increase productivity, hasten the product development cycle, and find ways to reduce the monetary mountains, the industry does a collective nod. For companies that compete in the testing and simulation arena, cost, time-to-market, and productivity are the underlying themes of a story that gains drama from how that sector is being transformed. In a broad stroke, physical testing is being influenced by software advancements while computer modeling and simulation developments are being impacted by physical tests.

“The use of analytical models has greatly affected how automotive engineers progress through the design process,” said Michael Schulz, Senior Product Manager for MTS Systems. “And as such, physical testing must be more complete and more accurate than it used to be.” As a provider of modeling, analysis, and physical tools for an array of testing-covering durability, ride and handling, safety, powertrain, as well as noise and vibration-MTS has been instrumental in helping to transform the testing landscape.