MGA Delivers Hyundai Crash Facility

In June of 2022, MGA Research Corporation played a pivotal role in assisting the design and build of a new Crash Test Lab for Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) in Superior Township, Michigan.  This facility is a fully functioning vehicle crash test lab designed to recreate real-world crash scenarios. For this facility, MGA was responsible for the crash test control system, including: the drive system, tow track, strong floors, barrier fixtures, and crash test carts.

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A key feature of this crash facility was a Movable Impact Barrier (MIB), as HATCI wanted to use their crash lane with or without it, depending on the test being run. MGA engineers worked with HATCI to develop a crash barrier that met their requirements. This barrier has a size of 14’ x 7’ x14’ with an overall weight of 200,000 lbs. The barrier is designed to withstand an impact of a 10,000 lbs vehicle at a speed of 35 mph.

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The movable barrier can be used to accommodate various crash test mode fixtures, including:

• Pole Fixture
• Offset Deformable Barrier Fixture
• FMVSS 208 30° Oblique Fixture
• Frontal
• Bumper Over/Underride
• IIHS Bumper
• ECE Offset

 As a modular solution, the impact barrier needed to move 34’ laterally in the HATCI facility to ensure it was out of the way of the new crash lane. To accomplish this, MGA designed and installed a drive system using 4 motors that would move the barrier laterally in an in-ground track system. For adjusting the height of the barrier, a hydraulic actuator was used to raise the barrier so it could be moved, as well as locking pins to safely secure it for testing.

Part of our final assembly and check out procedures required MGA personnel to travel to HATCI’s facility  for several weeks to finalize the installation, verify system performance, and provide hands-on training to ensure HATCI staff were prepared to safely and effectively operate the new system. Through close  collaboration between MGA and HATCI, the FCIL crash facility was developed with the flexibility, strength, and control needed to support a wide range of real-world crash testing scenarios.

For nearly 50 years, MGA has supported customers like HATCI in achieving their goals to advance safety across many facets of the industry. As end-users of our own installations, our team knows firsthand what it takes to build and develop reliable equipment that supports demanding requirements.

If you have questions regarding crash facility installs, reach out to our team at www.mgaresearch.com/contact or visit www.mgaresearch.com/equipment/full-crash-test-facility.

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