Hastings Employs New Piston Ring Simulation and Test Bed Systems
HASTINGS, MI--Hastings Manufacturing Company, LLC, a nearly 100-year-old maker of piston rings, announces upgrades to its design and verification capabilities through the acquisition of new AVL EXCITE simulation software and Land & Sea DYNOmite dynamometers. The new systems will allow Hastings to more accurately design and test piston rings for a broader range of applications, including small to large bore, and high performance engines.
AVL's EXCITE, a vibration and acoustic analysis tool, was chosen by Hastings because the majority of OEM engine manufacturers use it as their main platform for testing strength and durability, and for conducting NVH simulations. It will be used to aid in the design of piston rings by simulating the impact of varying design parameters on engine performance. Interpreting the results is key to the analysis, which is another reason Hastings chose AVL, as their engineering and technical support are the best in the business. "The AVL software allows us the ability to quickly test our theories and design modifications, and then apply them in a real-time test on the Land and Sea dyno's, thus quantifying our findings," says Don Wiser, Process Engineer, Prototype Coordinator at Hastings.
To test piston rings that are ready for production, Hastings chose Land & Sea's "Pro" Docking Station and Kart dynamometers, and their sophisticated data acquisition electronics with DYNO-MAX 2000(TM) software. The "Pro" Docking Station will load most high performance engines at any throttle setting or rpm, able to test them from 1 to over 10,000 hp. The DYNOmite computer automatically records true hp, torque, rpm, elapsed time, etc., at up to 1,000 readings per second, and can apply inertia compensation and SAE environmental correction factors. The DYNO-MAX 2000(TM) software creates a full engine dynamometer lab on the computer with analog and digital displays. With these new test beds, Hastings can accurately demonstrate and record how their rings will perform in their customer's engines at a full range of loadings and correction factors.
Hastings Manufacturing Company, LLC designs and manufactures piston rings for the worldwide engine manufacturing and rebuilding industries. As a premier automotive and engine component supplier, Hastings holds TS16949 and ISO14001 registrations and is the approved piston ring manufacturer to Chrysler, Ford, GM, Harley-Davidson, and many others. Hastings is a proud recipient of the 2008 Polk Inventory Efficiency Award.
Land & Sea is one of the world's fastest growing engine and chassis dynamometer manufacturers. The company holds patents on numerous dynamometer and related industry products. Many of their products have been used to help set land and sea racing records. DYNOmite Dynamometers have been the official dyno for several consecutive years of Formula SAE competitions, and are found at leading schools around the globe. The company has been a member of organizations like the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA), and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
AVL is the world's largest privately owned, independent company in the business of developing internal combustion engine powertrain systems and advanced simulation technologies. AVL's powertrain expertise ranges from ongoing R&D efforts to the design, production and integration of all types of powertrains. In addition, AVL develops and markets exceptionally reliable simulation software solutions, providing accurate input and analysis for powertrain development.
For more information, contact Hastings Manufacturing Company, LLC, 325 North Hanover St., Hastings, MI 49058-1598, 269-945-2491, 800-776-1088, sales@hastingsracing.com, www.hastingsracing.com
