Škoda Auto a.s. tests the resistance of its cars to various negative environmental influences that have a direct impact on the final quality and service life of individual models rolling off the production line. A very common testing requirement is the need to test the car's resistance to climatic influences such as different temperatures, humidity, and solar radiation. For such tests, Škoda Auto a.s. uses equipment in its laboratories and testing facilities in Mladá Boleslav and at other locations, not only in the Czech Republic.
Škoda Auto a.s. tests the resistance of its vehicles to various negative environmental influences that have a direct impact on the final quality and service life of individual models rolling off the production line. A very common testing requirement is the need to test the car's resistance to climatic influences such as different temperatures, humidity, and solar radiation. For such tests, Škoda Auto a.s. uses equipment in its laboratories and testing facilities in Mladá Boleslav and at other locations, not only in the Czech Republic.
Our long-standing partner, Škoda Auto a.s., has decided to expand its testing facility in Mladá Boleslav with a special large-volume climatic solar chamber that can accommodate entire vehicles. In such a chamber, it is possible to test entire vehicles as well as individual parts or components against the effects of extreme climatic conditions and solar radiation.
At first glance, our partner's request for a drive-in climate chamber for aging testing according to DIN 75220 was relatively simple and straightforward, as the technical specifications were based on this well-known standard. Unlike previous generations of climate chambers, when we delivered the first chamber of this type in Czechia to the quality department at Škoda Auto a.s. in 2008, this new device must meet the requirements for testing electric passenger cars and their derivatives. In practice, this means that there is a strong emphasis on the safety of using the entire testing system.
The minimum requirements for the test area were strictly defined so that the climate chamber could accommodate vehicles with a maximum length of 5500 mm, width of 2500 mm, and height of up to 2000 mm. Considering that 28 powerful metal halide lamps for simulating sunlight also need to be placed in such a space, entering such a test chamber will, with a slight exaggeration, resemble entering a small sanctuary.
For implementation, we decided to come up with a technical solution from proven suppliers of equipment in the field of climate and solar testing. The solution is mainly a combination of equipment and components from WeissTechnik / VötschTechnik for climate testing and Atlas for solar testing.
Such technology cannot be hidden away in a few square meters, as is the case with classic smaller laboratory climate chambers. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on so-called infrastructure preparation, where coordination between the technology supplier, construction contractor, safety authorities, and end user is absolutely crucial. To give you an idea, it took 24 months from the project assignment to the first start-up of the chamber in test mode!
From the above description, it is clear that this is not a technically simple solution. However, everything was successfully completed within 24 months and the equipment is now operational in Mladá Boleslav. In addition to the aforementioned requirement for testing in accordance with DIN 75220, the chamber also allows for other tests in accordance with derived standards. This will enable the quality of entire vehicles to be verified, both those with electric drives and those with conventional powertrains. Thanks to this, Škoda Auto a.s. will be able to further improve the quality of its products for us, the end users, in the future.
If you are interested in similar climate chamber solutions or other testing equipment, our experts are available HERE.
Ondřej
Heřmanský
Sales Manager
Ing. Gabriele
Benaglia
Sales Director
