Moving cars safely and efficiently at an automotive testing facility requires tools that combine strength with versatility. In this article, Stringo's CTO explains which innovative features make a certain machine a favourite among testing engineers. You’ll also learn about a recent customisation example, where the R&D team had to go the extra mile. Or, more precisely, millimeter.
Moving vehicles in a testing facility comes with different needs and challenges compared to other environments in the automotive industry. For example, testing engineers tend to:
- rely more heavily on their equipment for daily operations than someone working at a factory end of line.
- manoeuvre vehicles around tight spaces, such as dyno cells, on a regular basis.
- need to move a more diverse range of vehicles.
Considering the above, it’s not surprising that automotive testing facilities often opt for vehicle-moving tools in the more robust and versatile end of the spectrum. A clear example is the PLUS versions of Stringo’s S3 and S5 models. This powerful machine has become increasingly popular with testing engineers in recent years, according to Magnus Grafström, CTO of Stringo. So, if you’re facing the challenges of moving cars in a testing environment, let’s dive into why PLUS is so popular.
Vehicle moving in automotive testing: 3 benefits of going PLUS
1. Versatility to handle a wide range of vehicles
In an automotive testing facility, you need to be able to get a wide range of vehicles in and out of your dynamometer test cells, climate chambers, and wind tunnels. Ideally, without requiring a different vehicle-moving tool for each type of car. And while all Stringo vehicle movers offer a degree of flexibility—such as a telescopic function that can shorten or extend the length of the loading surface—a PLUS model takes this element to the next level, as Magnus explains.
“The front section of a PLUS model is lower than on a standard Stringo while at the same time offering better ground clearance. This allows you to move everything from small cars and low sports models to large SUVs and delivery trucks with one machine.”
2. Bogie wheels that offer terrain capability
Moving vehicles between different testing environments often includes going over bumps or obstacles. The PLUS models are fitted with bogie wheels, which enable a smoother ride.
“One big advantage with a bogie solution, compared to having the front wheels in a row, is the even weight distribution between all four wheels. This generates less wear on the wheels and improves the overall stability of the machine. The bogie solution also makes it easier to transition over an obstacle,” says Magnus.
3. Robust design for high-frequent usage
Several design elements make the PLUS model more robust and suited for high-intense usage, compared to the standard models. For example, the frame’s structure is strengthened through an extra beam, and the hydraulic pressure is higher to provide more force. The modular design of the front section, as well as the materials used in the bearings, also makes the machine easier to service. All in all, this allows for intense usage over a longer time.
“We've got automotive testing customers who use their vehicle mover very intensely, working in shifts where the machine operates 24 hours a day, six days a week. The Stringo PLUS is holding up extremely well under these conditions,” says Magnus.
Extended telescopic function and narrow bogie wheels in customised testing tool
Although all Stringo vehicle movers—regardless of model – are made to order, some situations require additional tweaks. Especially in automotive testing, which you can learn more about in this article about how customised vehicle movers improve testing efficiency.
A recent request required the Stringo R&D team to go the extra mile (or, rather, a few hundred millimeters) when customising a Stringo S3 PLUS.
“One of our automotive testing customers needed the ability to move vehicles with a long overhang. Since our standard telescopic extension wasn’t quite long enough in this case, we increased it by 300 millimeters,” Magnus explains.
The distance between the bogie wheels was also narrowed down to suit the customer’s requirements. “They needed the front wheels of the Stringo to fit between dynamometer rollers in the floor that were 720 millimeters apart. To accommodate this, we reduced the width between the bogie wheels,” Magnus concludes.
