Automotive engineering is continously moving toward the integration of different processes for accelerating vehicle development. Since the products become more and more a system, the methods to assist this transformation process become even more complicated.
Experimental proof is an essential measure for reliability, robustness and quality. Since many vehicle components are relevant for operational safety, these parts must not fail causing an accident. This has to be ensured by experimental methods such as rig based durability tests. Hence, service load simulation & evaluation becomes an instrument to actively guide the product development process, rather than to release newly developed parts only. If both, loading as well as assembly interaction are incorporated in a realistic manner, cost and time are saved due to the elimination of specialized on-track measurements.
Hence, lab based fatigue evaluation is presented as an integrated part of the overall vehicle development process. For wheel & hub assemblies as well as complete axle systems, the LBF durability test procedures are introduced, covering rotating and load transfer components.