By Ralf Berres and Dr Dieter Barz

The Industry Grip Testing System (IGTS) is a brand new measurement trailer, developed as a joint project between tyre maker Michelin and solution provider Altracon. It comprehends the knowledge of both tyre and measurement equipment experts and represents the technical feasibility in terms of tyre characteristics measurement on the road with state of the art ease of use.

The Altracon Industrial Grip Trailer System IGTS consists of a modular concept design. One development target was to keep the system variable for existing as well as for future test- and measurement tasks and to adapt to any kind of on the road testing requirement.

The IGTS grip testing trailer is built for straight dry and wet-braking tests. The trailer’s frame and wheel load station are optimised by FEM technology for highest stiffness and lowest deformation.

Design features

The trailer is made of a stiff frame with independent wheel suspension for the left and right wheels and is equipped with a variable towing bar to level different heights of the vehicles hitches. It may be pulled from any drawing vehicle with sufficient trailing load and engine torque for the measurements, no matter if it is a Pick-up, SUV, or truck. The IGTS hosts an independent test wheel load station. It is placed in the center of the trailer between the carrying wheels and presses the test wheel to the road surface on a path between the trailer wheels. The test-wheel load station is equipped with a high-performance disk brake to apply the braking torque/ force to the test wheel for grip testing. All functions are independent from the drawing vehicle while it carries all the necessary supplies on board except of the water tank, which is carried by the drawing vehicle.

The concept design is prepared to be extended with dynamic test capability with camber and slip variation, which will be included in the IGTS “Force and Moment” trailer. The test wheel load station and its media supply and control system may also be built into other vehicles such as busses or trucks, which must be prepared accordingly as a matter of course. 

The trailer is equipped with a modular undercarriage set-up. The basic trailer requires only one axle to perform grip measurements, which are done straight rolling/ braking. The directional stability of the trailer is enhanced by two additional lift axles, one in front and one behind the carrying axle of the trailer, to run dynamic tests with the IGTS on the road when it is equipped with camber and slip variation functionality. These lift axles are only used during the actual measurement and will be lifted for taxiing and transportation. Both axles use smaller wheels than the carrying axle and also have independent wheel suspension. The wheels of the lift axles are moreover actively steered to balance side forces which may be generated during testing. The drive performance control system adjusts the trailers’ Eigen modes in vertical and lateral direction and significantly improves the directional stability.

The IGTS test wheel load station is light-weight to reduce the effect of mass of inertia. It is equipped with an active wheel load control while previous test trailers just use dead weights. A fully automatic and adjustable damping control at the testing axle adjusts the Eigen mode and cares for smooth running and best precondition for the measurement on any road. The high-performance long-life wheel spindle is specially designed for lowest rolling resistance.

Power supply is done by batteries, which are loaded by generators. These are inbuilt to the carrying axle at each side. The power supply engineering may be designed as 48V DC as well as 240/400 1- or 3-phase AC with converter for special applications.

Compressed air is supplied from an inbuilt compressor with air tank for inflation pressure adjustment or control as well as for connection of air driven tools.

Hydraulic supply from an inbuilt hydraulic pump system with accumulator tank enables dynamic load, brake, and steering function.  The high-speed characteristics of the hydraulic supply is suitable to simulate braking performance (ABS) and quick release brake pressure at the test wheel. It allows to run up to 8 repeatable tests per 100 m in a sequence in combination with the high-performance brake-control techniques.

The optional water management system is integrated and allows controlled watering of the test-wheels path. The nozzles are placed in front of the test wheel. Their watering width is adjustable to 420mm and their watering height is controlled by flow-measurement, which is adjustable between 0 and 4mm at maximum speed of 100 km/h. The system is operating with continuous water flow for quickest reaction times. It is pressure-controlled and switches between circulating and spraying mode without any time lag and pressure loss.

Measurements

The trailer speed measurement is precisely done directly at both carrying wheels. Different speeds measured at the left and right side indicate deviation from the straight path. The alignment of the drawing vehicle and the trailer is moreover precisely measured with a laser-based alignment measurement system if the IGTS is equipped with camber and slip variation functionality. Inputs from both, the speed and the alignment measurement system, will generate correction of the directional stability by the control system.

The wheel speed of the test-wheel is precisely measured directly at the test-wheel spindle with an encoder, which also gives information about the braking process of the test wheel.

Forces and moments at the test wheel are synchronously measured in x- and z-direction with 1-component sensors. A multi-component force and moment dynamometer, which may use strain gauge or quartz technology, is optionally available as an alternative. It is integrated to the wheel spindle, fully covered and shielded. However, both set-ups are available either independent or together.

All measurements of motion are done with precision sensors, using various technologies, depending on the entire parameter. For referencing, speed and location recording different control and measurements techniques are used as well.

Ergonomics

The test-wheel carrier design enables to turn the wheel by 90° around its vertical axle for wheel exchange and service. This allows the operator to access the wheel fixation from the back of the trailer.

SUMMARY OF DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

-              Light-weight wheel suspension to reduce the mass of inertia

-              Low rolling resistance high-performance long-life wheel spindle

-              Measurement systems as single axle or with dynamometer technics

-              High precise load control designed for equalised axle weight

-              Eigen-mode adjustment by fully automatic and adjustable damping control at the testing axle

-              Brake system with high speed characteristics hydraulic supply to simulate braking performance (ABS) and quick release brake pressure   

-              High performance braking control system

-              Test sequences with up to 8 tests per 100 m in a row.

-              Modular trailer undercarriage for one or three axle systems for characteristics testing including drive performance measurement and control technics to adjust the trailers’ Eigen-mode in vertical and lateral direction

  -            Integration in existing testing environment and customised data solution

  -            Different control and measurement technics for referencing, speed and position recording

  -          Optional water-levelling system to apply an adjustable water film in front of the test-wheel in case of a missing road watering system

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NASA has launched a three-phase competition offering USD 155,000 in prizes to develop next-generation wheels for lunar rovers, as the US space agency prepares for sustained exploration missions to the Moon’s surface.

The “Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge” seeks lightweight, durable wheel designs capable of traversing the Moon’s harsh terrain of razor-sharp regolith whilst maintaining performance in extreme temperature variations and carrying substantial cargo loads at higher speeds.

The competition addresses critical mobility challenges facing future lunar missions, where traditional rover wheels have struggled with the Moon’s abrasive surface materials and temperature extremes that can plummet to minus 173 degrees Celsius during lunar nights.

“The next era of lunar exploration demands a new kind of wheel – one that can sprint across razor-sharp regolith, shrug off extremely cold nights, and keep a rover rolling day after lunar day,” NASA stated in announcing the challenge.

The programme unfolds across three distinct phases. Phase 1, which opened on 28 August and runs until 4 November 2025, will reward the best conceptual designs and analyses. Phase 2, scheduled for January through April 2026, will fund prototype development. The final phase in May-June 2026 will test leading designs through live obstacle courses simulating lunar conditions.

For the concluding phase, NASA will deploy MicroChariot, a 45-kilogram test rover, to evaluate top-performing wheel designs at the Johnson Space Centre Rockyard facility in Houston, Texas. The testing ground will simulate the challenging lunar terrain that future missions must navigate.

The competition remains open to diverse participants, from university student teams and independent inventors to established aerospace companies, reflecting NASA’s broader strategy of engaging private sector innovation for space exploration technologies.

NASA mobility engineers will provide ongoing feedback throughout the competition phases, offering participants insights from the agency’s extensive experience in planetary rover operations, including successful missions to Mars.

The challenge comes as NASA intensifies preparations for the Artemis programme, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and serve as a stepping stone for eventual Mars exploration missions.

Current lunar rover designs have faced limitations in speed, cargo capacity, and durability when operating across the Moon’s challenging surface conditions, creating demand for breakthrough mobility solutions that can support extended surface operations.

The competition timeline positions Phase 2 prototype funding to commence in January 2026, allowing successful Phase 1 participants several months to refine their concepts before advancing to hardware development.

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VMI will display its automated Strainer Plate Cleaning Station, a significant innovation designed to address a longstanding challenge within the rubber manufacturing industry, at the upcoming Global Polymer Summit in Cleveland. This comes at a critical time of rapid economic expansion in the United States, largely fuelled by construction and industrial renewal, which is driving increased demand for high-quality, efficiently produced rubber components.

These components are essential across a vast spectrum of applications, from microscopic seals and industrial machinery to pipelines and specialised products for extreme environments. To keep pace, US manufacturers are actively seeking advanced equipment that combines superior quality, shorter lead times and robust stateside support. For over two decades, VMI has met these exact needs from its Ohio operations, offering German-engineered solutions supported by responsive local service.

The new Strainer Plate Cleaning Station exemplifies VMI's pioneering ‘Hands-off, Eyes-off’ automation philosophy, previously applied to its industry-standard tyre building machines. This system utilises advanced robotics to completely transform what has traditionally been one of the most labour-intensive, unpleasant and hazardous jobs in a rubber factory. The automated Strainer Plate Cleaning Station will be demonstrated in operation at VMI’s booth, number 1430, during the Global Polymer Summit from 8th to 11th September.

The benefits of this automation are substantial. Companies can reallocate skilled workers to more value-added production roles, thereby boosting overall productivity and driving down unit costs. This enhanced efficiency allows businesses to become more competitive and responsive to dynamic market demands. The system integrates seamlessly with VMI’s extrusion and gear pump systems, which are backed by proprietary management software that enables the flexible production of both standard and highly specialised components on a single platform.

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The Qingdao Municipal Government Information Office recently hosted a media briefing on ‘Shandong's Top Brands on the Industrial Chain – Intelligent Equipment Industrial Chain’ at the MESNAC Jiaozhou Equipment Industrial Park. Senior leaders from MESNAC and three other prominent firms were in attendance to present their advancements and field questions from journalists.

A central focus was on MESNAC's proprietary ROC R&D platform, a unique modular system engineered specifically for the rubber equipment sector. This platform is fundamentally structured around client requirements, integrating comprehensive product design, technological development and rigorous testing protocols. This architecture facilitates a configurable development process, allowing for both large-scale customisation and remarkably agile product delivery. The company's operational philosophy was explained as a dedicated team model, where a single unit focuses its expertise on one product for its entire lifecycle. This meticulous approach has generated significant industry innovations in recent years, including fully automatic material weighing systems, unmanned tire building machinery and intelligent tyre curing press workshops capable of operating as fully unmanned ‘lights-out’ facilities.

The event included a practical demonstration of this technology in action. Attendees witnessed the NPS Semi-steel One-stage Building Machine, which achieves a single-tyre production cycle of just 35 seconds through complete automation. This system boasts world-class efficiency, requiring only one person to supervise multiple machines simultaneously. It embodies a new generation of intelligent manufacturing by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies such as precision machine vision, industrial robotics, sophisticated industrial IoT software and autonomous learning capabilities.

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NEXEN TIRE has inaugurated a cutting-edge High Dynamic Driving Simulator at its Magok-based NEXEN UniverCity R&D centre in Seoul. A first-of-its-kind installation within the South Korean tyre industry, this advanced system represents a pivotal step in modernising tyre development by leveraging virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

The simulator functions by creating a highly realistic virtual driving environment. Engineers can input specific vehicle data and parameters to conduct precise testing of performance metrics such as acceleration, braking and handling across a diverse range of simulated road conditions, all within a controlled laboratory setting.

This technological advancement is expected to significantly streamline NEXEN TIRE’s research and development operations. It will reduce the need for physical prototypes and extensive real-world vehicle tests, which in turn accelerates development cycles and lowers associated costs. A major strategic benefit is the enhanced ability to meet the exacting performance standards required by global automakers for original equipment tyres, especially for new and high-performance vehicle models.

The shift towards virtual testing also supports the company's sustainability objectives by diminishing the fossil fuel consumption typically involved in traditional road testing, thereby supporting its broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments. This move aligns with a larger industry trend where automakers are rapidly adopting virtual processes to improve efficiency.

Looking forward, NEXEN TIRE plans to build upon this simulator to establish a comprehensive Full Virtual Development Process. This long-term strategy aims to integrate advanced simulation with finite element method analysis and AI, ultimately working towards a future where physical testing is largely replaced by virtual validation.

John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO, NEXEN TIRE, said, “Ahead of the industry trend towards virtual development of vehicles and tyres, the establishment of our High Dynamic Driving Simulator is a strategic investment to lead the future mobility sector. By combining VR and AI technologies, we will enhance both the efficiency and precision of our R&D while contributing to ESG management, thereby strengthening our global competitiveness.”

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