ARAI inaugurates new homologation and technology centre

The Automotive Research Association of India completes 50 years in 2016. As a part of the celebrations, the organisation has opened a new Homologation and Technology Centre at Chakan, near Pune. It will offer services to automobile manufacturers for domestic as well as export markets.

The centre has been established under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) of the Government of India. While ARAI has invested Rs. 270 crore, NATRiP has invested Rs 100 crore in setting it up.

The new facility comprises of four laboratories:

Passive Safety Laboratory - This laboratory has the capability to conduct crash tests in accordance with AIS, ECE, FMVS and NCAP rules. The laboratory is equipped with an electric AC drive crash test system with a capacity to handle a payload of 3,500 kg and a propelling speed of 80 kph. It can also conduct static rollover tests. The laboratory has instrumented dummies and a dummy calibration unit. A 3D coordinate measurement machine for assessment of structural deformation and high intensity lighting systems for on-board & off-board high-speed photography are also present. ARAI is expected to equip the laboratory with 16 high-speed cameras with image analysis software shortly.

Powertrain Laboratory - This laboratory is used for testing engines, powertrains and other accessories for their performance with respect to power, efficiency and exhaust emissions, in accordance with Indian and global regulations. The laboratory is equipped with a 220 kW chassis dynamometer and can conduct endurance tests of 2WD or 4WD vehicles, automatic refuelling system, emission tests for vehicles with a GVW of up to 3.5 tonnes, a climatic chamber, a Vehicle Test Cell (VTC 1) which can handle domestic certification for current BS-III, BS-IV, BS-V & BS-VI emission norms and export homologation testing as per UNECE, EEC directives and US EPA and Japanese emission regulations.

Fatigue and Materials Laboratory - This laboratory conducts prediction of structural failures and evaluation of vehicles' structural components, systems & sub-systems as well as chassis / full vehicle subjected to real life dynamic loading conditions. It is equipped with simulation facilities and aims to assist medium and small scale enterprises in the development of components.

Automotive Electronics Testing Laboratory - This unit is being set up. It will test electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Source: Autocar Professional