We have been designing and building test systems since the early 1980’s, when the founders of the company could not afford large capital investments for equipment so they decided to use their expertise to design/build their own. At that time, “standardized” equipment for safety testing did not exist, as many of the vehicle OEMs built their own systems in-house. As OEMs began requiring suppliers to conduct these tests, their options for obtaining equipment were very limited.
Customers who came to us for testing were very interested in purchasing equipment similar to what we were using. This led to the formation of the MGA Fabrication Center, dedicated to the design, fabrication, installation and training of test equipment. Our team of engineers and technicians pioneered designs for many test systems that are considered common in the industry today.
Since the early 1980’s, we have provided equipment and related support to a world-wide customer base of suppliers, manufacturers, and OEMs.
Ever since we started selling equipment, our philosophy has been "use what we sell". Virtually every type of equipment offered is used in one of our test laboratories on a daily basis. This makes our operations-not our customers-“beta-sites” for our equipment. We operate several independent test labs which verifies that the systems have been vigorously tested using a wide variety of products, and in laboratory conditions that are more stringent than most customer sites.
Feedback from our “internal end-users” is used to enhance and improve the design of the test systems. The engineers at the Fabrication Center work closely with associates at all of our labs to evaluate the equipment and make hardware and software modifications so that the systems are more user-friendly. This ensures that the equipment you use will incorporate many safety features, and be easy to operate.
We are recognized as the leader in testing for the transportation industry. Because we work closely with various government agencies and industry leaders, we are at the forefront of new test regulations and related methodologies. In order to conduct tests to new requirements in our lab, we quickly develop equipment as required using the resources at our Fabrication Center. This allows us to rapidly develop the expertise required to conduct the test, while improving the equipment at the same time.
Our “use what we sell” philosophy offers many benefits to our customers including:
- Confidence in equipment that has been proven in a laboratory setting
- Design improvements based on end-user feedback
- Able to quickly develop equipment for new/future test regulations
- Expertise transfer to your employees beyond equipment operations
We realize that “one size fits all” does not work for our customers. The ability to easily customize test systems to meet an individual company’s requirements (in terms of usage, available laboratory space, budgetary constraints, etc.) is a fundamental principle at our Fabrication Center. We understand that in some cases our equipment may be used to satisfy in-house test requirements of our customers that may deviate from “standard” testing.
Our engineers will work with you to determine what your needs are, and then put together an equipment “package” that will meet those needs, based on proven technology and designs. We will utilize the expertise of our testing and fabrication associates to assure that the equipment you purchase meets all of your requirements.
Our highly skilled machinists, welder/fabricators, and electrical technicians build quality products to design specifications. Areas of expertise include:
- Material preparation
- Machining
- Fabrication/welding
- Electrical wiring
- PLC/computer programming
- System checkout/verification
- Finishing (paint, polish)
- Package/shipping
Installation supervision/assistance is provided as required depending on type/quantity of equipment. Our engineers and/or technicians will travel to your facility to oversee and assist with the installation of the equipment and make sure it is setup and functioning properly.
Proper training is one of the most important elements of providing a first-class test system. You can have state-of-the-art, high quality equipment, but if your people are not able to use it to efficiently run tests, output quality data, and understand the principles behind conducting the test and related data analysis, it can become a very high priced decoration in your lab.
Because proper training is so important, training for our equipment is provided by engineers from our laboratories with extensive experience in conducting tests. This assures that your personnel will not only obtain a thorough understanding of how to operate the system, they will also have the knowledge needed to efficiently conduct tests that provide high quality data to evaluate your product.
Training programs are not only provided on-site after the equipment is installed, but also at our laboratories on similar equipment. The training typically includes:
- Detailed overview of equipment and system operation
- Instructions in safety features/precautions
- Test fixture's/setup
- Conducting the test/data collection
- Post test data processing and analysis (do your test results make sense?)
- Review of Operator’s Manuals and related documentation
The equipment provided generally falls into three categories: dynamic impact, quasi-static, and durability.
A dynamic impact system uses stored energy to apply a force to various components for energy absorption, deformation, and shock testing. We have a broad range of capabilities and knowledge to design a top quality system for you. The most popular impact systems use either pneumatics or gravity as the energy source.
Some of the dynamic impact systems available are:
- Interior Component (Test System steering column, instrument panel, seats, knee bolster)
- Guided Linear Headform Impactor
- Pedestrian Head and Leg Impactors
- Free Motion Headform Impactor
- Headform Mitigation Impactor
- Steering Column Impactor
- Knee Bolster Impactor
- Bus Seat Impact System
- Drop Tower System
Quasi-static testing involves strength of materials, fixtures, or products by a controlled application of force. Unlike dynamic testing, which takes place in short time intervals, quasi-static testing can take up to several minutes. Our modular approach to equipment design can meet any strength assessment you may have, depending on the application (tension, compression rotation, etc.).
Examples of quasi-static test systems include:
- Seat Back and Head Restraint Test System
- Seat and Seat Belt Anchorage Test System
- Side Door Intrusion and Roof Crush Strength System
- Door Lock/Hinge Strength System
- Rearview Mirror Strength System
- Bus Seat Test System
- General Force/Deflection Test System
With today's high standards and demands for quality, durability testing has become a critical aspect of product development. A lifetime of use may be simulated in just a few days, allowing the manufacturer to identify problem areas and correct them before the products reach customers (thus preventing costly recalls). Durability testing is performed by cycling a product repeatedly, whether it be mechanical loading, pressurization loading, or electrical loading. We offer a wide range of versatile systems that are adaptable for virtually any test. If your product needs to be pushed, pulled, opened, closed, twisted, turned, etc., there is a system to meet your needs including:
- Jounce and Squirm Test System
- Pneumatic Durability System
- Electric Durability System
- Hydraulic Durability System
- Seat Belt Webbing Abrasion Test System
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