For the past five decades, MGA has established firm roots in the automotive safety industry through developments in full vehicle crash testing, pedestrian protection, active safety, and more. With growing demand for comprehensive testing, our teams bring extensive experience in creating safer roads and occupant protection, particularly through airbag deployments.

Across our network of facilities, our teams are committed to staying at the forefront of automotive safety testing. Our airbag deployment testing is designed to meet the highest requirements for seat airbags (SABs), instrument panels (IPs), and full-vehicle curtain airbags (CABs) through the use of environmental chambers and state-of-the-art high-speed cameras in both component and full-vehicle test cells.

State-of-the-Art Airbag Deployment Testing Capabilities

Our airbag testing facilities are equipped with the latest technology to conduct both component and full-vehicle airbag deployments. Below are our key testing areas:

1. Seat Airbag (SAB) Deployments: Full range of seat-mounted airbags available, from single side airbags to combined deployments with both the near side and Far Side Airbag (FSAB)‍

2. Instrument Panel (IP) Airbags: Ability to simulate real-world deployment scenarios for steering wheel, passenger dashboard, and knee holster airbags, crucial for protecting both the driver and the passenger in the event of a collision.

3. Full-Vehicle Curtain Airbags (CAB): Our full-vehicle curtain airbag tests ensure that the airbags deploy correctly across the entire cabin of a vehicle, providing optimal protection during side-impact or rollover events. CAB deployments can be conducted in a full vehicle or a partial buck/fixture. MGA also offers services to fabricate a buck or fixture from a full vehicle.

Flexible Environmental Testing Conditions

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Our facilities are designed to be flexible, with the ability to run tests both at ambient and extreme temperature conditions through the use of an environmental chamber. This flexibility allows us to tailor testing conditions based on your specific needs.

The testing areas are equipped with advanced environmental chambers of varying sizes and capabilities:

• Internal Dimensions: Ranging from walk-in chambers for fixture level deployment to drive-in chambers sized for cargo van or semi cab vehicles.
• Temperature Range: Capable of testing in temperatures as low as -40°C and as high as 100°C, simulating extreme cold and hot conditions.
• Windows for Optimal Viewing: Chambers designed with side, front, and top-view windows, allowing real-time observation of the airbag deployment process.

This environmental flexibility ensures that our tests mimic real-world conditions, allowing us to conduct thorough evaluations of airbag performance in varying temperatures and other critical environmental factors.

The MGA Advantage

Our airbag testing facilities across North America offer significant benefits to local customers in the automotive industry.Having a local airbag deployment testing facility offers numerous advantages for automotive manufacturers and suppliers:

1. Reduced Lead Times: A local facility allows customers to skip the possible long shipping times, time zone differences, and logistical complications. This accelerates the overall testing and development process.
2. Cost Efficiency: Conducting tests locally eliminates the need for expensive shipping and international travel costs associated with sending vehicles or components to other laboratories. This allows for more frequent testing and iterative development cycles.
3. Tailored Services: Our team will work directly with you to customize test plans and conditions that best suit your specific requirements.
4. Expertise at Your Fingertips: Our testing facilities are staffed by a team of skilled engineers and safety experts who are intimately familiar with the latest airbag deployment technologies and standards, allowing customers to receive immediate feedback and consultation.
5. Enhanced Safety and Innovation: In the automotive industry, safety is non-negotiable. Having a dedicated testing lab ensures you can continuously evaluate the performance of new airbag technologies, advancing both vehicle safety and innovation.
6. Comprehensive Equipment: MGA owns dozens of high-speed cameras capable of documenting deployments at both high resolution and frame rate. With a variety of models available, the most common cameras include a VEO 710 with frame rates over 8,000fps at 1280x720px and a higher resolution VEO 440 with frame rates over 2,000fps at 1920x1080px.

Automotive Safety Testing Facilities

Our network of facilities make it convenient for customers to choose the lab that works best for their proximity needs. Our labs capable of airbag deployments include: Hughson, California; Lincoln, Alabama; Greer, South Carolina; and the most recent addition, Queretaro, Mexico.

For local manufacturers, our new facility in Queretaro represents a valuable opportunity to streamline your testing processes, reduce time-to-market, and meet regulatory requirements with confidence. With a direct line to our testing engineers and a dedicated testing space designed for both efficiency and accuracy, your airbag systems will undergo the rigorous testing necessary to provide the best protection for all occupants.

Get in Touch

For more information on our new airbag deployment testing capabilities, or to schedule a meeting, please contact us. We look forward to working with you to enhance vehicle safety and drive innovation in the automotive industry.

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