STANDARDS TESTING LABS PRODUCES 10' DIAMETER TIRE AND WHEEL RADIAL FATIGUE TESTING MACHINE


MASSILLON, OH (September 10, 2004) - Standards Testing Laboratories (STL), the world's largest independent testing facility for tires, wheels and related automotive components, recently completed production of a new 10' diameter tire and wheel radial fatigue testing machine.

"This is a very impressive piece of equipment and is one of the largest test machines that we've built. It was quite an achievement and is a perfect example of the type of custom machinery we're capable of developing for our OEM and tire and wheel industry customers," said Cheryl Schnuth, vice president, marketing and technical sales, Standards Testing Laboratories. "This state-of-the-art equipment was designed with technologies that facilitate ease of use while increasing accuracy and control of the test parameters."

STL's ten-foot tire and wheel radial fatigue test machine, a product of its Machinery Division, features hydraulic loading with a self-contained hydraulic power unit and closed loop control. High and heavy loading can be accomplished via a yoke mount spindle assembly, and two test positions are available on the multi-piece framed machine.

An Allen-Bradley PLC controller for machine control and a touch screen operator interface, which displays speed, load, elapsed test time, elapsed test mileage, and ambient temperature are featured on the unit. And, as an added convenience, the PLC and computer interface through an Ethernet connection, allowing for remote operation.

Capable of measuring lateral force, the tire and wheel radial fatigue test machine's road wheel measures 120 inches in diameter, with a variable testing width of 36 to 48 inches. Traceable calibration standards are available for load, speed, and air pressure.

For testing, the machine speed is variable from 2- to 50-mph with load parameters up to 100,000 lbs. Spindle braking is possible for enhanced safety. Speed and load is accurate plus or minus one percent of operator set points for precise control and calibration. Air pressure can be controlled from 10- to 150-psi with a remote inflate/deflate for improved operator safety. The machine requires 460V, 60HZ 3 phase or 380V, 50HZ 3 phase power for operation.

The Machinery Division of Standard Testing Labs (STL), Inc. has been serving the tire, wheel and automotive industries with custom testing equipment and testing assistance for more than 30 years, handling the design and production of machinery, instrumentation and computerized controls for automotive test equipment. The division also modifies, reconditions, and performs field service and calibration for machines in the field.

Standards Testing Laboratories (STL) operates as the world's largest independent testing facility for tires, wheels and related automotive components. Through its four divisions, STL provides the rubber and automotive industries with dynamic laboratory testing, static and physical testing, fleet testing, test machines, specialized photographic and video services and consulting services.

For more information, contact Standards Testing Laboratories at 1845 Harsh Avenue, S.E., Massillon, Ohio, 44648; call 800-833-8547 or visit STL on the web at www.stllabs.com.