Atlas Helps Enhance Testing Methods For Automotive Industry Giants
Ford's DVM™ and General Motor's GMW 3414™ Interior Materials Weathering Tests To Become Industry Standard
CHICAGO (March, 2002) - Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC, a global leader in weathering testing services and technology, in conjunction with Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation, announced the implementation of new testing methods (Ford's DVM and General Motor's GMW 3414) designed to better replicate the effects of weathering on automotive interior materials.
In recent years, the automotive industry has seen significant advancements in technology and design and development procedures, while important testing procedures have struggled to keep up with the blazing pace being set by automotive manufacturers. Atlas has recently teamed up with leading manufacturers Ford and General Motors to develop the next generation of interior weathering testing methods.
Ford and General Motors have truly raised the bar with their new interior materials weathering testing procedures. Atlas is very proud to have played a role in the development of these new test procedures as they reinforce the strong commitment we have all made to provide the most accurate and technologically advanced testing solutions available. These industry leaders have recognized that as designs become more sophisticated, so too must their testing procedures," said Kurt Scott, director of research and development, Atlas Materials Testing Technology LLC.
Modern designs of today's automobiles incorporate much more glass than their predecessors. This requires that the glass be protective both from the harmful solar ultraviolet light and the high temperatures caused by transmitted sunlight. As a result, great emphasis is placed on the weatherability testing of automotive interior trim materials and the development of new, more realistic testing has become the next logical step in the automotive industry.
Ford Motor Company recognized the need for enhanced testing procedures within this constantly evolving industry. Our new DVM test improves upon our commitment to our customers by providing a more realistic testing environment to better meet the design advancements that we have witnessed over the past few years, said Dr. Jeff Helms, manager of Ford Motor Company's Materials Science Department.
In an effort to address this need for more realistic testing, Atlas is providing the Auxiliary Filter Lantern, which affords the use of a virtually unlimited variety of xenon glass filters. Tests using xenon light filters more accurately reproduces the light passing through the glass of an automobile and are able to provide more elevated test temperatures then current testing methods. Atlas's Auxiliary Filter Lantern is conveniently designed to easily fit existing lamp hardware on new and field-installed devices.
Atlas is committed to assisting its customers in becoming familiar with and preparing them to run tests that conform to these emerging standards. For more information regarding these new test methods please contact Kurt Scott at Atlas, (773) 327-4520 or via email at kscott@atlas-mts.com. Information on other Atlas products or services may be obtained via the Atlas web site at www.atlas-mts.com, or by contacting Jamie Chesler at jchesler@atlas-mts.com.
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