Additional capability reflects industry trends towards increased electrification
Powertrain specialist, Drive System Design (DSD) has added two further test cells for high-performance hybrid axles and e-machines to its facilities. The move reflects a growing demand for outsourced test capacity suitable for electrified powertrains, as the industry prioritises its development in response to global emissions concerns and the shortened time frame in the UK for banning internal combustion engine sales.
The first of the new facilities can deliver input torque up to 2,500Nm at 2,100rpm, 525kW at 7,000rpm, and 350kW 1,100V of battery emulation, with the second for e-machines up to 350kW and 25,000rpm. The new cells complement existing DSD facilities, which include a 450kW highly transient ETPS machine (Engine Torque Pulse Simulator) and three battery emulators.
According to David Kelly of DSD, even the largest, established vehicle manufacturers are struggling to accommodate the upsurge in test requirements using solely in-house facilities, and the situation is likely to become even more acute in future.
“We are in the middle of a sea change in the industry, as the major players allocate more of their manufacturing to electrified vehicles,” he says. “Companies like DSD can provide vital additional resource to help satisfy short-term peaks in testing demand as this change in policy takes effect,” he concludes.