Cockpit Module Testing

key life testing test to failure process
Key Life Testing's "Test to Failure Process"

Tier 1 automotive suppliers add a great deal of value to an automaker's vehicle program by bringing knowledge and capabilities to the vehicle testing process. With thorough virtual and real-world system testing, suppliers can provide manufacturers with valuable data that enhances quality and durability while also improving the information available to program managers and engineers.

Visteon's range of vehicle test capabilities helps manufacturers make informed decisions about vehicle-level performance and quality. As a result, Visteon can provide innovative solutions designed to improve vehicle quality and reduce overall development time.

Testing for Reliability
Key Life Testing is a component of Visteon's Useful Life Reliability Process. By defining the stresses that components suffer through normal consumer usage patterns and environmental conditions, Key Life Testing captures the consumer experience and provides manufacturers with information that is necessary to improve reliability.

One feature of Key Life Testing is the "test to failure" process, which demonstrates component reliability. For example, the repeated opening and closing of the glove box until failure indicates the worst-case usage patterns a component may encounter. Through a complete understanding of a component's durability, these tests can aid Visteon engineers in the identification of potential issues before it reaches a consumer.

Key Life Tests are performed at Visteon facilities around the globe and are localized to better understand how particular regional and local usage patterns will affect reliability.

By simulating real-world environmental and usage conditions, Key Life Testing can test up to the 90th percentile of the vehicle's life. Key Life Testing is designed around these factors:

  • Identifying need for improvement
  • Developing useful life requirements
  • Demonstrating reliability
  • Incorporating robust design methods

Key Life Testing is an important component of Visteon's testing capabilities. This testing helps manufacturers find solutions to reliability problems, reduce warranty concerns, improve resale value and find design improvements for systems and components.

Testing for Durability
In addition to helping make vehicles function better, Key Life Testing includes durability tests, which evaluate the sustainability of the component over time. For instance, sun load simulation tests evaluate instrument panel dimensional and material performance in extremely hot climates. The results help engineers to design instrument panels that maintain their appearance even in the harshest climates.

Testing for Safety
Visteon can also perform a combination of virtual and physical tests to determine the occupant safety in the event of sudden impact. Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools allow engineers to study the knee/head impact zones and examine what occurs in a variety of scenarios.

These and other inputs enable advancements in cockpit module design and technology. For example, testing and an in-depth understanding of airbag deployment enabled the development of an instrument panel designed with an integrated air bag door. Automotive manufacturers interested in providing consumers with the latest design innovation can trust Visteon to deliver a fully tested and validated system.

For more information about Visteon's testing capabilities and the benefits they can provide to any manufacturer's vehicle program, please see Capabilities - Visteon Test Operations.

Additional Information
Interactive Module - Cockpit Modules
Product Specifications - Cockpit Modules
Product Specifications - Instrument Panel
Feature Story - Negative Thermoforming
Feature Story - Cockpit Modules
Feature Story - Systems Integration Helps Deliver Just-in-Time
Feature Story - Mold-in-Color Instrument Panel
Capabilities - GENPAD®
Capabilities - In-Line Vehicle Sequencing
Capabilities - Instrument Panel Manufacturing