Specialized tests for powertrain components
Verify the performance and reliability of your functional components
The powertrain comprises all the systems that generate and transmit the vehicle’s mechanical power. Beyond the engine itself, it comprises a multitude of functional components — exhaust after-treatment systems, heat exchangers, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves, throttle valves, turbochargers — whose performance directly influences the vehicle’s emissions, fuel consumption and durability.
Our specialised test benches enable us to characterise each component individually, under representative or accelerated conditions, throughout the development cycle.
Our capabilities and expertise cover the fields of concept validation (combustion, thermal management, etc.)
Why carry out component testing?
Carrying out thorough testing of components is crucial for:
- Functionally validating new designs and solutions
- Developing new technical solutions to optimise their performance
- Detecting potential faults or anomalies at an early stage to ensure their reliability under real-world operating conditions
- Verifying their compliance with international standards and regulations.
Our dedicated facilities and equipment
The Emitech Group has a comprehensive range of specialised facilities:
- High-dynamic engine test bench with emissions and particulate analysis
- 1,300 kg/h airflow test bench for characterising air circuit components (intake and exhaust)
- Test benches dedicated to the functional testing of butterfly valves (EGR valves, throttle valves and heat exchangers)
- Test bench dedicated to functional testing of gas/water heat exchangers
- Climate chambers / gas burner and electrodynamic shaker for component testing (electrical and electronic components, batteries, exhaust components, turbochargers, etc.) under severe conditions
- Preparation and prototyping workshop
Our specialist areas of testing
Engine test bench: concept validation / calibration / optimisation / characterisation
Our versatile engine test bench accommodates petrol, diesel, CNG, hydrogen and ammonia engines.
It covers the most demanding stages of development: performance measurement, calibration, combustion analysis, qualification of after-treatment systems and design of experiments (DOE).
- Power input: 330 kW — Max. torque: 700 Nm — Max. speed: 10,000 rpm
- Instantaneous fuel consumption measurement via Coriolis sensor and associated fuel conditioner (AVL 735S and 753C)
- AVL Indimodul 8-channel cylinder pressure analysis
- AVL i60 upstream/downstream raw gas analysers: CO, THC, CH₄, NO, NOx, CO₂, O₂
- Diluted pollutant measurements via dilution tunnel, CVS, bags and diluted analysers for CO, HC, CH₄, NOx, CO₂
- Particle counters: detection threshold 10 nm and 23 nm
- Gravimetric particle measurement: AVL 483 micro soot sensor
- Smoke measurement using AVL 415S smoke meter and AVL 439 opacimeter
- HIL simulation: AVL Isac 400 (simulation of standard cycles), AVL In Motion Car Maker and Truck Maker (road simulation, RDE for light and heavy-duty vehicles)
- Conducting experimental designs using AVL CAMEO
- Real-time knock protection via CAMEO RTC
Talk to our Powertrain component testing experts
Exhaust gas after-treatment
After-treatment is at the heart of regulatory requirements for light-duty vehicles, heavy-duty road vehicles and off-road vehicles (Euro standards).
We test all after-treatment systems installed in the exhaust system: oxidation catalysts (DOC), particulate filters (DPF/GPF), SCR catalysts and NOx traps, and electric catalyst heaters (EHC).
Our facilities enable the accelerated ageing of these components (see Catalyst ageing) as well as their comprehensive aerodynamic characterisation.
Wind tunnel: characterisation of components
Our high-capacity airflow test bench enables the characterisation of all components in the air circuit:
- Maximum mass flow rate: 1,300 kg/h
- 4 ABB hot-wire anemometers
- Characterisation of cylinder head ducts: permeability, swirl, tumble (honeycomb method)
- Measurement of pressure drops in catalysts, particulate filters, air filters, battery relief valves, etc.
- Testing for damage to compressor wheel blades by spraying a cloud of calibrated droplets
See our dedicated page: aerodynamic testing.
EGR valve / throttle valve test bench
Designed for the characterisation of butterfly valves, it measures opening and closing torques with or without airflow under various conditions.
- Measurement of friction torques and aerodynamic torques from 0 to 5 Nm
- Measurement of leakage rates at sonic flow: up to 10 kg/h
Heat exchanger bench
Designed for the characterisation (efficiency measurement) of gas/water heat exchangers:
- Gas heating capacity: 30 kW — Gas flow rate: up to 200 kg/h at 900 °C
- Cooling loop heat dissipation capacity: 30 kW
- Measurement of exchange efficiency, gas and liquid pressure drops, and material temperature stability
Modification and test preparation workshop
Testing an individual component often requires bespoke infrastructure. Our workshop handles:
- Mechanical adaptation: mounting engines on test rigs, design and manufacture of adaptor parts, flanges, etc. Design and construction of vibration test fixtures
- Electrical/electronic adaptation: assembly of specific wiring harnesses, construction of signal conditioning units, instrumentation of test specimens
- Vehicle preparation: removal and preparation of engines or complete assemblies, instrumentation, mock-ups
Post-test analysis and engine assessment
For ageing tests, our expertise includes lubricant and fuel analysis, complete engine dismantling, dimensional checks and tribological analysis.
See our dedicated page: Post-test assessment of internal combustion engines
Our component testing also includes…
In addition to test benches dedicated to engine and exhaust system components, the Emitech Group handles a wide range of powertrain components:
- Mechanical and hydraulic components
Fuel pump, high-pressure fuel pump, oil pump, water pump: validation of flow rate, pressure, leak-tightness and durability under various operating conditions. - Electrical and electronic components
Alternator, starter motor, Telma retarder: testing of energy efficiency, electrical robustness, cold start reliability and endurance under repeated cycles. - Transmission and reduction components
Gearbox, reduction gearbox, aerospace gear, e-Taxiing: endurance, mechanical performance, acoustic and vibration behaviour under variable loads.
Why choose the Emitech Group for your component testing?
- Over 30 years’ experience in the validation and testing of industrial components
- Recognised expertise amongst leading players in the automotive, aerospace and rail sectors
- Specialised test benches and a customisation workshop under one roof
- Capability to handle alternative fuels (H₂, NH₃, synthetic fuel, NATO)
Needs
Discover a selection of additional resources that explore topics related to this page including regulatory contexts, technical articles, and specific areas of expertise. These materials provide further insight to help you better understand the key challenges and available solutions.
Contact us for a quote
Would you like to verify the robustness, performance and reliability of your critical components? Contact our experts to arrange bespoke testing.
Contact our team of experts.
