BIRMINGHAM, UK - 10th August 2005 - TRW's engineering and consultancy business, Conekt, today announced the investment of 360,000 euro in a comprehensive electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test system, meeting high intensity lightning strike requirements. The new equipment, operational later this year, will place Conekt as the first UK-based company to provide such a broad offering of lightning test services.
The investment comes as Conekt develops an aerospace 'Centre of Excellence' for test and validation services. The business already has a well-established offering to the automotive industry and over the last few years has been able to apply its expertise into aerospace markets. Its recent membership of the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has also provided the opportunity to further build on its existing aerospace customer base.
Chris Tarling, business manager engineering services, Conekt, commented: "While we have many years' experience in EMC testing, and testing to aerospace standards in particular, we have recognised the difficulty and expense in commissioning a full suite of lightning tests in the UK. Our investment will bridge this gap, creating a facility fully capable of cost-effectively meeting DO-160E requirements - and beyond - on one site.
"The introduction of a lightning test system is a key step in the development of Conekt's aerospace validation 'Centre of Excellence'. The new equipment will provide us with the capability to carry out lightning tests up to and including level 5, which meet Section 22 of DO-160E as well as Airbus and Joint Strike Fighter lightning strike requirements. The system's modular structure will also provide us with the flexibility to adapt the system in order to meet emerging industry requirements."
The new system will enable testing of product lightning induced transient susceptibility (indirect effects) including multiple stroke and multiple burst lightning tests and will complement the state-of-the-art facilities already established. These include an EMC cell with an integrated 250Hp Dynamometer drive/traction motor load - a unique arrangement in the UK - as well as a whole vehicle EMC chamber at Conekt's Livonia (US) facility. The investment completes phase 4 of an extensive investment programme which has already seen the introduction of a new LDS V8 combination shaker system and heavy duty 750mm slip table. This earlier investment, along with the purchase of an MTS high capacity shock machine in late 2004, has significantly improved the validation capability that Conekt can provide to its customers.
Colin Gregory, chief engineer for engineering services, Conekt said: "These recent investments in our validation laboratories will enable us to offer our customers a more complete in-house testing service using state-of-the-art equipment. Our customers are under pressure to shorten time to market for new products and we are in a position to fully support them in this goal."
Conekt's satellite EMC facility in Livonia has also seen significant investment over the last few months and now boasts a dedicated transient room and associated test equipment to support all major OEMs' requirements. In addition, the purchase of a new EMI receiver and power amplifier means that the facility now offers customers both FORD AB and AC EMC testing.
Conekt's investment programme is part of an ongoing strategy and plans are already in place for the next phase. Additional lined EMC chambers - to augment the five currently on-site - as well as equipment to enhance Conekt's capability in radiated susceptibility / immunity testing is intended to be introduced in 2006 and will accompany the introduction of equipment to develop a highly intensive radiated field (HIRF) offering.
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