Innovation Leader ZF
Our Product Highlights
We offer a broad range of test benches as well as complete test systems for on- and off-road mobility and develop tailormade solutions for our customers.
Learn more about some of our flagship products: the new R&D e-mobility test benches for electric transmissions and components, our state-of-the-art multiaxial wheel tester (MARP), and our Tread Wear Tester for tires, which helps particle emissions and microplastics.
R&D Test Bench: Expert for E-Mobility
The R&D e-mobility test bench by ZF meets all the requirements that arise as a result of the transition towards electromobility.
The core component of our test rig is a high-performance drive module. In combination with the drive bearing module and the receiving module for the test object, it combines to a complete test system.
The base for the receiving module is optionally fixed, inclinable and swiveling and available for single or multi-machine operation with or without cross table. Various optional modules complement the modular system. A receiving module for electric motors and one for coaxial test objects extend the possibilities of the test bench. An acoustic cabin for the drive module and an air conditioning cabin for the receiving module for the test object are also possible.
In addition to e-mobility components, tests of conventional car transmissions can similarly be performed due to the modular design of the test stand. The appropriate frequency converter and measurement technology, automation and a highly dynamic control perfect the system.
ZF T-Wear: Our Eco-Friendly Test Bench for Tires
Tires lose substance over time and release tiny particles, for example in the form of microplastics. This abrasion is a contributing cause of pollution in cities and one of the sources of microplastics in the environment. Using the ZF T-Wear enables tire manufacturers to test the tire abrasion and to optimize their tires, thus contributing to a cleaner environment.
Less particle emissions & microplastics
The ZF T-Wear allows the simulation of real driving profiles on the test bench to classify the wear behavior of a tire at regular intervals.
Available 24/7
ZF´s new Tread Wear Tester can be operated 24 hours, seven days a week, regardless of weather conditions. The “Indoor Testing” also allows better and controlled simulation of the temperature, driving speed and road surface, removing the driver's influence.
Tread Wear Mapping System for more flexibility
ZF has developed a new measurement system that allows laser measurement in the high-frequency range. The ZF In-Line Tread Wear Mapping System measures the tire abrasion at the tread. The measurement is fully automatic in the machine, i.e. the tire no longer needs to be removed from the machine and measured separately.
Less emissions by indoor testing
While outdoor tire wear tests normally take place on the road with several vehicles and drivers for several days/week, shifting the test from outdoors to an indoor test bench allows to reduce both particle emissions and a lot of CO2.
Powder Supply Unit for real road conditions
With this “Powder Supply Unit” installed the natural friction caused by pollutions on the road, such as dirt and dust between tire and road surface, is simulated close to reality.
Performance data ZF T-Wear
- maximum test speed for passenger car tires: 180 km/h
- maximum test speed for bus and truck tires: 160 km/h
- load adjustment, i.e. the pressure that is applied by the test bench to the tire: up to 25 kN for passenger car tires and up to 60 kN for bus and truck tires
- camber angle: +/- 8 degrees
- slip angle +/- 10 degrees for real simulation of cornering. The basis for this is a 6-component platform
TESCON – A New Automation Platform for Test Systems
With more than 35 years of automated testing experience, ZF Test Systems has developed a new highly flexible, intuitive and user-friendly automation software system.
The automation software runs on an industrialized and proven scalable multi-core computing platform, which includes a real-time engine, that is capable of executing different automation tasks with responses up to 10 kHz. This means that within a 100 microseconds duration, incoming signals can be read and processed, and the corresponding output signals can be updated.
Starting at the top, a Solution created within Tescon runs on the real-time computing hardware. It contains all the necessary modules for the operation of the test bench. The Solution contains a System Program that controls the basic functionality of the test stand, and the Application Program that runs specific tests on the Device Under Test DUT, with its associated channel configuration, test program, views, data recordings, monitoring and parameter set.
The end user uses the Cockpit interface to run a test bench. It loads the test bench with solutions that contain applications, runs the system and test programs and displays the defined views and widgets.
The first initial release focuses on e-mobility and powertrain R&D testing. Future versions will target the End-of-Line testing requirements.
The new ZF-LUB6 Test Bench – specially designed for Truck and Bus Tires
OEM´s and tire manufacturers requirements have been increased in the market for tires – especially in the market for truck and bus tires. Reliably, precise, efficient and fully automated testing equipment is the key to ensure top quality delivered to end customers.
There are many tire test systems on the market that measure either uniformity or dynamic unbalance independently. The innovation is to combine both of these features into a single machine. With the new ZF-LUB6 TBR – a Final Finishing Test System for truck and bus tires – ZF Test Systems has now also achieved this for the important truck and bus market.
To meet the different global requirements for high load traffic, the machine is capable of applying a maximum force of 63 kN load to a tire that can be inflated to a maximum inflation pressure of 10 bars (145 PSI) for a maximum tire diameter and width of 1.5m and 660 mm, respectively.
The standard ZF tire inspection machine will satisfy most measurement requirements. In the event of having additional features and functionalities, ZF-engineers developed certain options that are available to meet the customized requirements of the customer – for example, a data analytics option is available. Beyond these standard options, the customer can be assured that our 35 years of experience in the design and build of tire testing equipment will tailor a solution to meet their needs.
