Presently, MGA offers Hydraulic Durability services out of our network of laboratories in the United States and Canada. At each of these facilities, laboratory infrastructure is in place to support a wide range of fatigue, multi-channel load, shaker table, and other specialized applications. Centralized high-flow/high-pressure hydraulic pumps, T-slot based inertial masses, state-of-the art controllers, and a large inventory of fixtures,
cylinders, and bearings are currently on-line. Overall, MGA currently has a total of 1,800 gpm of pumping capacity, approximately 8,000 sqf. of T-slotted inertial masses, 15 Multi-Axis Simulation Tables (MAST), 200 control channels, 300 double-ended actuators, and over 600 servo valves. This infrastructure and equipment, combined with MGA’s highly capable team of Engineers and Technicians dedicated to Durability testing, offers customers unique, technical solutions to their problems over a wide geographic area.

The types of services offered at these laboratories include the following:

Road Load Data Acquisition (RLDA) – At MGA Proving Grounds and off-site.
Data Processing and Reduction – Large RLDA sets compressed for efficient in-lab simulation.
Cyclic Durability Testing – Multi-channel, Block Cycle.
Multi-Axis Simulation Table (MAST) – Ambient or Extreme Environmental Solutions.
Full Vehicle 4-Post Simulation Testing – 15 KIP actuators with 220 gpm three-stage valves.
Buzz, Squeak, and Rattle (BSR) – MAST and Ultra Quiet, component shaker in Anechoic Chamber.

These systems are routinely used to evaluate full vehicles and components such as:

Exhaust Systems
Cooling Modules
Seats
Interiors and Cockpits
Fuel Tank Systems
Batteries
Trailer Hitches
Suspension and Axle Systems
Shipping Racks

For additional information on the specific services currently offered, please download our Simulation and Durability Testing Brochure: http://mgaresearch.com/MGA_Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MGA-Simulation-Lab-Flyer.pdf.

Throughout its history, MGA has responded to the need of the market, and this is certainly the case currently with Hydraulic Durability and Simulation Services. We are currently in the process of greatly increasing the overall capacity and capabilities for these types of services at both existing and new MGA laboratories under development. Presently, MGA is building a new Canadian based laboratory located in Mississauga, Ontario. This laboratory will be housed in a 44,000 sqf building, that was purchased by MGA last fall. This facility will offer a wide range of services. A major part of this laboratory is the installation of a 400 gpm centralized pump, 5,000 sqf of t-slotted inertial mass, and various machines used for durability testing. In regards to the strong-floor, this is one of the largest contiguous foundations ever installed for a Hydraulic Durability and Simulation Laboratory anywhere.

At our Troy, Michigan laboratory, 1,500 sqf of t-slotted inertial mass is being added this Spring with 60 additional control channels for advanced durability simulations. In addition, one of the MAST rigs is being retrofitted with specialized bearings to operate at frequencies much greater than 50 Hz. 

With all of our laboratory expansions over the history of the company, we have an attitude that welcomes the challenge of transforming a “dead” building into a vibrant, state-of-the-art facility that serves our customer base. We have always taken a synergistic approach that depends upon a strong collaboration between our laboratory personnel and our Facilities and Equipment group out of New York. This cooperation results in a powerful team to tackle steep challenges in terms of bringing new capabilities on-line and developing outstanding facilities from the ground up.

To further track the progress of the Canadian facility, as well as other projects underway, please visit www.mgaresearch.com.

The annual MGA “Facilities & Equipment Catalog” is now available. The catalog includes a detailed description and the specifications for all currently available facility and equipment designs. For more information, please contact Lauren Viera (lauren.viera@mgaresearch.com) or call (248) 577-5001.