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Evolving Urban Mobility Sector for Test and Measurement

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Every day it seems we are inching closer to the Jetson’s utopia of flying cars, floating cities and robot butlers. Technology is evolving to the point where robotics and computers control most aspects of travel and mobility. That requires a lot of testing and dependency on accurate measurements for what is on the road and what is flying up above.

Interface has been long been working with leading manufacturers and suppliers of all types of vehicles traveling on the ground, across the skies, and into aerospace. As innovations are removing old boundaries, one thing that remains constant is the need for test and measurement programs.

In the urban mobility sector, we are seeing growth related to rigorous T&M projects for everything from autonomous vehicles to manned rockets, as well as unmanned aircrafts and drones. Interface is proud to be a solutions provider to the engineers and innovators of these growing applications and sectors.

Arizona, the home to Interface’s headquarters, is considered a hub for new technologies and inventions in urban mobility, including autonomous automobiles, alternative-fueled vehicles, rockets and unmanned vehicles. There are dozens of companies with testing and research facilities located throughout Arizona, with countless self-driving vehicles testing and mapping streets throughout the state. In fact, the Institute for Automated Mobility (IAM) in partnership with Intel, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, and other public and private organizations, is collaborating on state-of-the-art research in Arizona. The goal of IAM is to advance all aspects of autonomous vehicles from science to safety to policy.

Nearly every company currently testing and innovating autonomous vehicle technology in Arizona is a customer of Interface. We are providing everything from instrumentation to torque transducers, along with a large range of our standard precision load cells for all types of testing projects. Our custom solutions team also has been working with leaders in these markets.

Being on the forefront as a solutions provider for this sector gives us visibility into many of the applications. What we have learned is demand is related to advancing urban mobility to solve for increasing congestion and diminishing inner-city air quality. The 2019 Urban Mobility Report published by The Texas A&M Transportation Institute with cooperation from INRIX notes:

“Connected vehicles “talking” to each other, such as traffic signals and other systems, and providing this information to decision‐makers will provide unprecedented data and insights to identify and fix mobility problems. Newer model vehicles sense and adjust to their surroundings, increasing the safety and efficient movement of goods and people. Other technologies, such as The Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printers, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will impact transportation systems of the future.”

As technology leads the way in urban mobility, the safety and performance of the vehicle are of utmost importance. There is no room for failure. The point is, the advancement of robotics, sensor technology, and computing power are becoming a driving factor behind a fully autonomous world in terms of how people and products move about the world.

Another area of increased T&M product demand at Interface is coming from the application of our force measurement products for moving objects in unmanned vehicles above ground. The advancement of drone technology for commercial purposes is seen through the adoption across diverse applications such as mapping, logistics, and surveillance. Interface load cell technologies have been used for flight and wing testing, load testing and a variety of force measurement projects. The drone market, for commercial applications,  is expected to grow to more than $7B through 2022.

Interface is well known throughout key global industries as the premier manufacturer of the most accurate and reliable force measurement products on the market. For urban mobility, accuracy is critical to maintaining safe, pilot and driverless, vehicles and with the advancement of high-quality robotics.

Our load cells and torque transducers are used to test and measure key data points such as balance and weight distribution, thrust and lift, and to optimize movement on robotic arms and legs.

Here are a couple of application examples where Interface is providing critical components to advance innovation in urban mobility

Aerospace and Defense

The aerospace and defense industries are among the earliest adopters of urban mobility technology. The defense sector has utilized drones for surveillance, tactical advantage and battle since the advent of the technology. Aerospace manufacturers have also implemented autonomy into many of their commercial and defense planes. Interface has been a longtime partner of the aerospace and defense sector, working with some of the largest OEM’s across the U.S., as well as internationally. Some of the capabilities of our products in the aerospace and defense industry include thrust tests, wing and fuselage balance, weight distribution and fatigue testing, landing gear tests and parcel delivery weight testing for drones.

Automotive

In the automotive industry, autonomous vehicles have been a critical focus for the past 10 years. The technology really exploded onto the scene over the past five years with key players like Google, Tesla, GM, and others making significant investments in the development and testing of autonomous vehicles. Interface products are used by most of the major automobile OEM’s throughout the world. In 2018, we released one of our most advanced products to date, the Axial TQ™, which includes capabilities uniquely designed for autonomous vehicle testing. Our services in automotive include bolt fastening, brake pedal force testing, engine torque testing and more.

Here are a couple of application notes and a case study that outlines how Interface products are used in this sector:

As the urban mobility sector continues to grow, more advanced travel and delivery systems will require precise weight and torque testing to ensure unwavering reliability. The less control humans have over land and air vehicles, the more we need to trust the construction and design of these vehicles using proper force testing. Interface will continue to grow as a key player in the space as more OEM’s turn to our services to optimize the development of drones, autonomous vehicles, and other urban mobility innovations.

Contributor: Kim Williams, Interface Business Development Manager

Interface Solutions for Medical Devices and Healthcare

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There is a reason that the most highly regulated industries in the world turn to Interface for force measurement equipment used for medical device and healthcare product design, development and testing. The industry must trust the data they are using to optimize or validate product design because the slightest errors can have devastating results.

In the medical industry, the dependence on accuracy and reliability increases tenfold. Not only are medical devices and healthcare products some of the most complex and delicate technology in the world, the regulations and certification standards they need to meet are stringent. And most importantly, any design flaws or failures could present serious health risks and or worse. Interface has been a trusted partner to medical OEMs and healthcare technology providers around the world for decades.

Our test and measurement products are crucial in the development of numerous medical and healthcare tools, technology, medical devices and equipment used in labs and hospitals alike. Interface has been part of remarkable innovations and test and measurement projects of products implanted inside of the human body and used for prosthetics.

“To serve our customers who need high-quality force and torque measurement testing data, Interface is the provider of choice for accurate, reliable and customizable force measurement products and systems.”  Elliot Speidell, Regional Sales at Interface

Engineering and building load cells, along with supplying the best torque transducers, digital instrumentation and accessories all plays a critical role in the evolving needs within the healthcare industry. Interface load cells that can measure capacities as low as 0.11 lbf / 0.5 N have been used to measure the smallest weight change in medical bags. Our multi-axis sensors are used to measure multiple axis of force in the development of prosthetics.

Here are a few applications that showcase different Interface products for healthcare and by medtech OEMs:

VASCULAR CLAMP FORCE

Using an Interface High Speed Data Logging Indicator and Model LBS Load Cell, the customer was able to test multiple clamps, recording the force measurements for each. By using this accurate data, they were able determine the best one to use during surgery. READ THE MEDICAL APP NOTE HERE.

BALL AND SOCKET MED DEVICE

A medical device OEM needed to test a new design for an artificial hip joint. This test needed to validate load consistency, and the durability of their design. Using a 6-Axis Load Cell mounted to the manufacturer’s test machine, they were able to simulate actual use. A Model BX8 was connected to the sensor to collect data. READ THE MEDICAL APP NOTE HERE.

SURGICAL STAPLER FORCE VERIFICATION

A large medical manufacturer required a load button load cell to verify the amount of force needed to activate the surgical stapler. Along with precision measurement, the load cell requirements were it needed to be small, easy to mount, and accurate. Interface’s LBMU Compression Load Button was mounted to the surgical stapler to enable force verification, and then connected to a 9820 Load Cell Indicator to record output. READ THE MEDICAL APP NOTE HERE.

PROSTHETIC FOOT PERFORMANCE

In this use case, Interface supplied products to help our customer test how a prosthetic foot performed during different positions and stances. The products used in this test were the Interface Model 3A120 3-Axis Load Cell, which was installed between the leg socket and the prosthetic foot and the Model 3A120 which was connected to customer’s portable data acquisition system. READ THE MEDICAL APP NOTE HERE.

When standard precision solutions need a custom application, Interface’s solutions team and engineers work directly with medical device manufacturers to deliver specialized products, systems and software that meet evolving needs and innovation.

To provide additional information on the medical customers we serve and the solutions we develop, Interface has created our medical industry case study. The case study provides details on the force measurement needs of the industry, as well as various examples of solutions we have developed for medical devices and equipment from heart medtech devices to some of the machinery used to manufacture medical products.

Click Here to Read the NEW Interface Medical Industry Case Study

You can view some of these medical and healthcare application use cases here.

Contributor:  Elliot Speidell, Regional Sales Director at Interface

 

Applications for Consumer Products and Packaging

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When we think about force measurement and its relation to product development, we often consider the aerospace, automotive or industrial industry. However, many of Interface’s customers use load cells and torque transducers to test and develop machinery used for consumer products and in the packaging industry.

In order to meet this demand, customers need force measurement tools that are both accurate and provide the necessary data points to automate and regulate consumer packaging machinery. This consumer packaging case study takes a look at the wide variety of applications of force measurement tools used to create consistency and quality among the products consumer buy and use daily.

BACKGROUND

If you have ever wondered how a pill or piece of candy gets a little logo stamped on it without crushing it or how every bag of chips is nearly filled to the same capacity, chances are a load cell or torque transducer was involved. Interface works with hundreds of customers who manufacture a wide variety of machines used in the consumer packaging industry. These machines serve numerous functions including logo stamping, bag weighing, bottle capping, sealing, and precision cutting.

According to Grandview Research, the use of automation, as well as robotics throughout the packaging lines, has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The aim is to improve productivity, reduce the operating costs and prevent waste, thus improving the overall efficiency of the packaging systems. “Big Data” has also gained popularity with operation managers that collect machine data to regulate the performance of the machinery, undertake preventive maintenance and maximize the up-time.

CHALLENGE

The challenge our customers run into when building these machines is they require a high level of precision to get consistent and repeatable results. If the machines are incorrectly calibrated, it can lead to excessive waste. For instance, if a bottle of soda isn’t capped correctly, it can leak, or if the machine which embosses toilet paper and napkins is too forceful, the paper will be ripped to shreds. Currently, most packaging machines are relying on physical hard stops, clutches, monitoring motor current and laborious tasks to monitor and apply the necessary force and torque. To ensure proper performance and to reduce waste, the most accurate and reliable force measurement tools are required.

SOLUTION

Interface works with hundreds of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who develop machines for the consumer packaging industry. Depending on the function of the machine, we manufacture a wide variety of force measurement products to help reduce waste, ensure repeatable results and provide accurate data to help consumer packaging customers automate their processes.

All of our products come with various data communication systems, including analog or digital and Bluetooth®, wireless or Ethernet. This provides customers with flexibility in their data collection methods and the ability to connect systems through the Internet of Things (IoT) functionality. For machines using a precision twisting motion, such as capping machines, we offer nearly 50 types of reaction torque transducers and rotary torque transducers for customers. All of our torque transducers are precision-machined and use our proprietary torque sensors for the most accurate data possible.

For precision weighing or stamping, such as the candy stamping application, we manufacture more than 60 different types of load cells and Interface Mini Load Cells. These load cells have capacities as low as 1 lbf (500 gf) for extreme precision. In our customer’s application highlighting candy stamping, a test apparatus was outfitted with the Interface Model WMC Mini Load Cell and a 9330 Data Logging Indicator to measure the compression force required to imprint the candy without crushing it and collect data to finely tune the process.

For applications using robotics, Interface offers multi-axis sensors to test force and torque measurements simultaneously in three mutually perpendicular axes.

RESULTS

Accuracy in packaging is a game-changer for cost-savings, production efficiency, time-to-market, and product safety. Whether you are measuring, weighing or securing, Interface load cells, mini load cells, torque transducers, and instrumentation can assure you the quality and accuracy you need to protect your brand and customer satisfaction.

Interface is one of the leading force measurement manufacturers for the consumer packaging industries. We work directly with OEM’s and engineering consultants to implement systems and products which help to reduce waste, automate the packaging process and provide accurate, repeatable results. For more information on how Interface can help solve your test and measurement challenges, please contact us to connect with our specialized Application Engineers, click here to locate a local Representative or International Distributor.

READ COMPLETE CASE STUDY HERE

Interface Case Study For Consumer Packaging

Multi-Axis Sensor Applications

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For more than 50 years, Interface has proven itself as the premier provider of load cells, with the most accurate and reliable products on the market. As the technical landscape has evolved, we have invested heavily in new technology to suit the growing needs of our customers. One of the most important innovations we’ve brought to market over the past few years is our lineup of wide-ranging multi-axis sensors.

Interface Multi-Axis Sensors are designed to measure a multitude of forces and moments simultaneously with a single load cell sensor. These sensors provide multiple bridges that precisely measure the applied force from one direction with minimal crosstalk from the other axes.

Multi Axis Sensor 3AXX 3 Axis Load Cells -

Interface Multi-Axis Sensor 3-Axis Load Cell

Interface offers 3-axis, 6-axis, and axial torsion load cells, which provide the ultimate in force and torque measurement. We can measure forces simultaneously in three mutually perpendicular axes, with the 6-axis load cells also measuring torque around those axes. In addition, we offer multiple data acquisition and amplifier systems which make graphing, logging and displaying data easy enough for any experience level.

Our customers work in a wide variety of industries, and we are continually seeing new applications of our range of multi-axis sensors. These sensors are used in aerospace, automotive, medical and more.

The following application examples provide a clearer picture of the benefit of this force measurement and sensor technology.

Rocket Structural Testing – In rocket and aerospace testing, there are a million different considerations to ensure a proper launch. One of the vital force tests that need to be conducted is on the connection between the rocket and the launch vehicle. There are force and moment in multiple directions at the connection point. Interface Multi-Axis Sensors can be used to test not only the strength of the connection but also ensure a safe disconnection between the rocket and launch vehicle.

Drone Testing – One of the most interesting applications of our multi-axis sensors is in the drone industry and in areas of urban mobility. Our sensors are used to test the drone’s rotor. The drone will always pull on the sensor to create the most significant force; however, there is also a slight amount of moment that needs to be accounted for. We were able to calibrate a semi-custom load cell to account for both the large pull force and the small moment force to provide the most accurate data possible.

Prosthetics – Another impressive application of our multi-axis sensor technology is in the medical industry. We helped to test the multiple force and torque data necessary to build a strong and reliable prosthetic knee joint and spine. Each of these prosthetics has multiple motions on many axes. To measure the quality of the prosthetic and to ensure it doesn’t fail when implanted in a patient, medical OEM’s need to be able to collect data on each of these axes simultaneously.

The need for measurements on multiple axes has grown over the last couple of years because of the desire to use big data to create better products. Interface Multi-Axis Sensors provide the accurate measurements our customers need and the ability to collect those measurements simultaneously, which has created a significant boost in efficiency.

To learn more about Interface’s expanding lineup of multi-axis sensors and data acquisition systems, please contact our team of experienced Application Engineers or visit /product-category/multi-axis-sensors/.

Contributor: Keith Skidmore, Regional Sales Director at Interface

Multi-Axis-Brochure

Brake Testing with Interface Bluetooth Solutions

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Automotive testing for brakes requires trust and accuracy in ensuring safety is first and foremost for any driver and passenger, no matter the amount of applied force. Automotive safety is most important for all manufacturers in the industry.  Interface products used in the test and measurement applications for brakes are most frequently selected based on quality, reliability, and precision.

In this application note Interface outlines how it was able to help a customer measure brake pedal force using its new Bluetooth Telemetry System (BTS) and a BPL-300-C Brake Pedal Load Cell.

Interface was asked to outline how a customer could help in measuring brake pedal force when the pedal is pressed during automobile testing, preferably with a cordless solution.  There are two critical components that Interface recommended based on all the customer’s requirements.

BPL-300-C Brake Pedal Load Cell:

  • Interface’s Brake Pedal Load Cell has the lowest nonlinearity and hysteresis of any brake load cell available.
  • It features ultra-low height and low sensitivity to off-axis loads.
  • It mounts directly to the pedals with included straps and has interchangeable mounting plates.

BTS-AM-1:

  • The BTS-AM-1 is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) strain bridge transmitter module that provides access to high-quality measurements on a mobile platform such as a phone or tablet.
  • The delivery mechanism is BLE which utilizes the flexibility and availability of Bluetooth receivers while maintaining the low power requirements of embedded systems.
  • Features high measurement resolutions, simple integration into IOS and Android Apps, 30 to 90 m range and advanced security.

Noted in the application use case, as the pedal is pressed, force is measured by the BPL-300-C Brake Pedal Load Cell. Results are transmitted by the BTS-AM-1 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Strain Bridge Transmitter Module to the BTS Toolkit Mobile App and displayed on a mobile device.  As the pedal is compressed, the force measurement data is transmitted through the BTS-AM-1 to the user via the BTS Toolkit Mobile App

How it Works:

  1. The Interface BPL-300-C is securely mounted on the top of the brake pedal.
  2. The load cell is connected to the BTS-AM-1 Module.
  3. The BTS-AM-1 Module transmits via Bluetooth to the BTS Toolkit Mobile App.
  4. The BTS Toolkit Mobile App runs on iPhone or Android devices.
  5. The brake test is performed and results are displayed in real-time on the BTS Toolkit Mobile App.

Using the Interface BPL-300-C Brake Pedal Load Cell and BTS-AM-1, the customer was able to execute the brake pedal test and measure the results in real-time Bluetooth technology. The force measurement data was simultaneously displayed and graphed for accessibility and readability.

Learn more about the Bluetooth and Wireless Telemetry Solutions here.

Bluetooth Brake Pedal App Note

Why Interface Load Cells Stand Out from the Competition

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As you might expect, there’s a lot of care and attention to detail in our product development methods that allow Interface to create the most accurate and reliable force measurement tools on the market. Honed over our 51 plus years in the manufacturing of force measurement products, we have among the most refined and thorough processes in the industry. Today, we are going to reveal one of the unique testing processes in our LowProfile® load cell development which sets us apart from the competition, by a landslide!

It’s no secret, Interface LowProfile load cells are reliable and offer repeatable results. What isn’t widely known is this is because of the product’s overall capability to handle loads with minimum error due to misalignment. In plain English, these load cells are very forgiving to general misalignment when they are installed into the application. Why? Because of a process called moment compensation. This is one of the primary differentiators from other pancake load cells in the marketplace.

Moment compensation is one of the many production tests we run on our LowProfile load cells to guarantee minimal influence from off-axis loads known as “moments.” We compensate for moments by hanging a weight from a fixture and rotating it around the LowProfile load cell. The offset weights go around and take readings at specific locations. The computer records the data and identifies the highest readings and locations. The operator then modifies the geometry of the material from the beam to make the beamless stiff. Once this process is completed, we go around and repeat the process to confirm results until the product passes the specification criteria.

Moment compensation is performed on every individual Interface LowProfile load cell and most other Interface load cell models to ensure repeatability and accuracy. This is a big deal in the force measurement industry because most load cell manufacturers don’t test and compensate or have a specification for eccentric load sensitivity like we do.

Interface takes these extra steps because we understand that as product development becomes more complex, the margin for error gets smaller and smaller. Moment compensation also helps to maximize the operating life and minimize performance errors. With Interface LowProfile load cells, customers know that every step in our design and development process is conducted to ensure the premium quality which exceeds their needs and quality expectations.

Contributor: Carlos Salamanca, Interface Engineering

Are you a person that likes to learn visually? There’s an Interface video for that! Check out Interface’s Brian Peters explaining the process here:

For more information on Interface’s lineup up of our precision LowProfile load cells, please visit /product-category/load-cells/ or call to contact an Application Engineer at 480-948-5555.  You can also read about our entire line of load cells here.

Low-Profile-Load-Cell-Brochure

Interface Accelerates Accuracy in Test and Measurement

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Since Interface was founded in 1968, we have developed millions of load cells and torque transducers for engineers and designers that require the highest precision force sensors for accurate and reliable data collection in test and measurement (T&M). Our customers represent a wide swath of industries, products, equipment types, tools, and electronics that depend on us for proving accuracy, consistency, and reliability in performance.

The complexity of user applications and testing environments is rapidly expanding as a result of shorter product lifecycles and demands for smaller, lighter, faster-performing innovations. This has created a proliferation of new test and measurement use cases for sensors in almost every sector including technology, energy, and biomedical, as well as industrial, additive manufacturing and automotive verticals.  We are seeing more and more sensor products utilize Bluetooth technology, digital outputs, and direct OEM installations into the product without connectors.

Our products serve a wide variety of these types of test and measurement requirements used for structural and material testing, static and fatigue testing, torsion effects, tension tests and mass and kinetic energy. When experienced users see the Interface brand, they know they can expect the highest-quality results possible from the force measurement industry leaders.

The load cell products we provide T&M customers range from our  Ultra Low Capacity Series, which measures forces in mere grams, to our industry-leading LowProfile™ Load Cells with capacities up to 2 million lbf. For torque testing, Interface supplies a wide variety of torque transducers with ranges as low as 0.005 Nm and as high as 340K Nm. We customers depend on us for various multi-axis sensors, instrumentation products, accessories, tension links, load pins, and shackles. For complex challenges and unique applications, our customers work with our application engineers to create modified and customized solutions.

Test and Measurement Applications

To give you a sense as to the range of test and measurement use cases, here is a small sample of applications that utilize our standard and custom force measurement solutions:

  • Fatigue testing
  • Material testing
  • Suspension testing
  • Shear testing
  • Force testing
  • Tensile testing
  • Pressure testing
  • Friction testing
  • Durability testing
  • Tension testing
  • Device testing
  • Hardware load and fatigue testing
  • Force verification
  • Calibration

Included below are two examples of how our products were used to help our customer’s test and measure “real life” applications.

Harness Durability Testing

A customer came to us needing to test the load and durability factors of harnesses used by workers to carry heavy loads or those used in sports equipment. We developed a drop test apparatus using an Interface Model 1200 Load Cell. The apparatus dropped a humanoid dummy outfitted with the harness from various heights to measure the force generated during sudden stops at maximum cable extension. These tests helped our customer develop harness limits which inform users on unsafe loads.

Figure one: Interface drop test apparatus using the Model 1200 load cell

Prosthetic Load and Fatigue Testing

Medical hardware engineers are among the largest users of T&M equipment because of the stringent regulations in the industry. Interface developed a new solution to test heavy loads on prosthetic limbs to certify them for falls, accidents and athletic movement. These stress tests determine the expected lifespan of prosthetic components under normal usage.  Our solution involves a static load test apparatus with an S-type load cell attached to a hydraulic actuator which applies and measures cyclic loads. These tests help our customers determine whether prosthetic materials and designs will withstand the rigors of daily use and occasional high-load situations.

Figure two: Load test apparatus with an S-type load cell attached to a hydraulic actuator  

What we find most exciting about the T&M industry is continuous innovation, perhaps it is the “engineer” in us.  We like to solve, create, build, imagine and challenge ourselves. There are a wide variety of new applications we see every year, and yet many applications are unique.

Those that are in the test and measurement field help to guarantee product safety, reliability and longevity. Therefore, the tools they use are critical to the confirmation of their work. That’s why Interface builds products that reliably and consistently gather high-quality, accurate data for any application. For more information on our T&M offerings, or to discover more T&M product applications, please visit www.interfaceforce.com/solutions/test-measurement/.

Interface Launches New University Program

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Interface is investing in the engineers of tomorrow with our new Interface University Program.  The new STEM-focused initiative promotes innovation and education by providing access to the best force measurement products, services, and experts in the industry.

As the world’s leader in force measurement solutions, Interface created the specialized Interface University Program to provide discounted products and services, educational materials and access to renowned test and measurement expertise.

The distinct Interface University Program offers higher education institutions and students reductions on the industry’s most accurate and reliable force measurement standard products and calibration services to accelerate research and development, advance science, perform accurate testing, and promote exploration.

Through the unique program, Interface is also providing educational support in the form of internships, R&D projects, sponsored test and measurement class projects, grants, and community STEM program support.

“Our goal is to empower engineering students to achieve their educational and career goals with the help of our exclusive Interface University Program,” said Joel Strom, CEO, Interface. “The program will make critical engineering tools, services and professional support more accessible to universities and colleges faculty and engineering students. This program provides best in class test and measurement products, specialized solution bundles and discounts on products and services that will enrich engineering and metrology program experiences.”

The Interface University Program

Interface Standard Products:

  • Get Started Bundle with Interface LowProfile®, Sealed S-Type and Mini Beam Load Cells, Torque Transducer, Indicator and more at 25% off
  • Load Cell 101 Field Guide by Interface Engineers
  • 10% off all standard products and additional loyalty program discount programs

Interface Calibration and Repair Services:

  • Tiered Calibration Services Program discounts
  • Expedited repair services with special discounts
  • 25% off 3-year annual calibration services programs for maintenance

Education Support and Resources:

  • Internships for R&D at Interface HQ in Arizona
  • R&D projects
  • Sponsored test and measurement class projects or challenges
  • Failure testing projects
  • Onsite engineering hours: class, speaking, events

Interface provides force measurement solutions and services to hundreds of universities coast-to-coast and around the world every year. The company’s founder, Richard F. Caris, was a major proponent of charitable giving to STEM-focused institutions and programs. In 2015, Caris donated $20 million to the University of Arizona Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab to support the construction of mirrors used for the Giant Magellan Telescope. The Mirror Lab has utilized Interface products in its mirror polishing process for the past twenty years.

“Interface has been a long-time partner of the University of Arizona,” said Buell Jannuzi, Ph.D., Steward Observatory director and head of the Department of Astronomy, University of Arizona. “Their commitment to STEM and support of the Mirror Lab has been critical to our efforts, as well as the education of our students.”

For more information on the program and for a detailed breakdown of special offers, services, and educational support, please visit /university-program/ or contact our Application Engineers at 480-948-5555.

PRESS RELEASE

University Program Overview

University Program 2 Page

 

The Future of Automotive is Electric

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Interface has been a longtime provider of force measurement solutions that help engineers develop the technology of tomorrow. One of our main areas of expertise during our 50 plus years in business has been in solutions for the automotive industry.

Interface has helped to revolutionize design and efficiency in this industry using our high accuracy test and measurement solutions. With the increased need for sustainable electric vehicles, we have set our sights on advancing this high-growth area in automotive.

“Less than 5 percent of vehicles sold in 2016 were equipped with EV power trains. Major OEMs have announced that they’re aiming to bring that number above 50 percent by 2021.” McKinsey Quarterly, February 2019

Electric vehicle design and manufacturing requires a precise level of accuracy in order to improve energy efficiency, minimize weight and maximize vehicle range. Battery technology has only come so far; therefore, maximizing power output is the key to improving vehicle design. To achieve this, test and measurement solutions need to be as accurate as possible.

Interface provides high accuracy torque transducers, load cells, load washers and more for two areas of electric vehicle testing: laboratory testing to optimize system performance and production testing to ensure product quality.

Interface’s Role in Vehicle Testing

Laboratory Testing

In laboratory testing, Interface force and torque measurement products are used to achieve high-efficiency in component and system designs. While electric vehicle designs are already very efficient, minimal design adjustments can make a difference to increase total range from a single charge. Making small incremental changes in efficiency, therefore, requires very accurate measurement capability.

Applications of our products in the laboratory environment include maximizing the system performance of electric vehicle drivetrain components, such as motors and gearboxes. As well as performance in auxiliary systems, such as air conditioning compressors and motors, power steering motors, and even brake systems. Accurately measuring the force of dynamic systems like suspension components allow the designer to minimize weight to improve overall vehicle range and performance.

Production Testing

Once the components are moved into the vehicle production phase, Interface solutions are used to ensure the product has been built per the design.  Our products can be used to measure the steady state, as well as the dynamic performance of components and systems.  Using measurement systems they can trust gives customers the confidence that the components and systems meet the performance and dependability expected for the vehicle design.

The key to electric vehicle design is balancing the relationship between efficiency, performance, and cost.  The further we can make electric vehicles go on a single charge, the more attractive these vehicles become for mass markets.

Optimized efficiency requires the most accurate measurements available to our customers and this is where Interface excels. Jake Shaffer, Senior Product Manager

In October 2018, Interface released AxialTQ, specifically designed to help in the transforming vehicle market, including electric and autonomous vehicles. You can read about AxialTQ and view this revolutionary next-generation torque measurement system in action here:

If you are interested in scheduling a demonstration of the product or inquiring about Interface’s precision solutions like AxialTQ that we are providing for force measurement testing of electric vehicles, contact us today.

Contributor:  Jake Shaffer, Senior Product Manager at Interface