About us
Whether it is carrying out tests on our test facilities, performing examinations with mobile measuring equipment, or providing targeted further training through training courses organised by us – competent advice and support for our customers is at the heart of our activities.
Thanks to the close cooperation between the various specialist departments, tests are coordinated and carried out quickly and without complications. Our state-of-the-art testing facilities are constantly being expanded.
In addition to carrying out various projects and research related to electromobility, our customers have access to numerous special testing options – alongside the standard testing facilities.
The areas at a glance
Acoustics:
At AKUVIB, our client will find all measurement methods commonly used in acoustics, from free-field and reverberation rooms to sound design and psychoacoustic analyses.
Through cooperation with our vibration department, squeak and rattle examinations are possible on the specially equipped shaker with sliding table in the semi-anechoic chamber.
AKUVIB also covers the field of municipal acoustics. Whether it is emission and immission measurements of noise, vibrations or the assessment of traffic noise. As an approved measurement centre, our customers will always find an open ear at AKUVIB.
Environmental simulation:
There is a wide range of testing possibilities of the environmental simulation department.
AKUVIB covers all areas, from standard tests such as climate/temperature storage and salt mist tests, to sun simulation and IP dust/water tests, to special tests on our HALT system, in the negative pressure chamber, the surge water system or in the harmful gas system.
Due to the large number of facilities, a wide variety of test items can be tested for their durability. Under the generic term “One Stop Testing”, AKUVIB covers the entire required spectrum through its extensive testing options.
Vibration:
In the vibration department, AKUVIB offers not only classical vibration technology, with measurements on machines and vehicles – or modal analysis – but also vibration tests on shakers.
There are currently 5 vibration systems with sliding tables and climate chambers available. With up to 90 kN force application and a clamping surface of 1.40m, we can also accommodate larger test specimens.
EMC:
In our “Electromagnetic Compatibility” department, tests from the automotive, industrial and railway sectors are carried out. In the anechoic hall with its 3m measuring section and shielding cabins, the test specimens are examined and optimised for their EMC suitability using the latest technology.
FEM calculation:
Our calculation department is characterised by comprehensive and long-standing experience in the field of dynamic and static calculations.
The design of vibration-free steel structures is one of our special fields. Furthermore, service life calculations and strength analyses can be carried out using FEM.
Mechanical testing/ material testing
By means of acoustic emission, materials can be examined non-destructively, for example, for production defects or signs of fatigue. This method is characterised by its accuracy and high sensitivity. The growth of a crack or the development of rust can be detected as well as weak points of cast materials.
Furthermore, pull-out and compression tests are carried out on a wide variety of test specimens on the corresponding machines.
The durability of e.g. coatings and paints are verified by the stone chip tests.
Within the scope of stick-slip tests, material pairings are examined for creaking noises and abrasion behaviour is tested on tribology test benches.
Electromobility/new energies:
The basic tests and test procedures for electromobility have been known for a long time and are already offered today as a service by AKUVIB.
Nevertheless, numerous investments have been made in this area in recent years in new testing facilities and more extensive testing procedures at AKUVIB.
AKUVIB is increasingly working together with various universities in order to always be at the cutting edge of technology. This is also how the new dynamometer for electric vehicles came into being. As a special feature, this dynamometer is integrated into a climatic chamber so that the performance data of the batteries can be recorded under a wide range of climatic conditions.
Approvals and accreditation:
AKUVIB Engineering and Testing GmbH is certified according to DIN ISO 9001 and the test laboratory for acoustics, vibration technology, environmental simulation and material testing is accredited according to DIN ISO 17025.
AKUVIB is a notified body for emission and immission measurements of noise and vibrations according to §29b BIschG (Federal Immission Control Act).
In addition, the permit according to §7 of the Explosives Act for handling and traffic with pyrotechnic objects (PT1,PT2) is available.
Special features:
The excellent technical equipment and the well-founded know-how have contributed to the fact that AKUVIB is today counted among the leading service providers in Germany and the neighbouring European countries.
AKUVIB is currently the only test centre in Europe that can provide its customers with tests in a HALT test facility with accelerations of over 110 grms.
When selecting the test equipment, AKUVIB always aims to cover the widest possible range of tests and to equip the systems with non-standard special options.
Training courses and seminars:
Under the motto “From practice for practice”, AKUVIB offers training courses and seminar series on the topics of “Acoustics”, “Vibration technology and shakers”, “Environmental simulation” and “HALT testing” in spring and autumn.
In the scope of our own specialist lectures, we convey both the basics and practical application examples. Our training courses always include work on the equipment and execution of practical tests in the laboratory. In addition to standard training courses, we also offer personalised training series for individuals or small teams.
Chronicle
Since the foundation of the company at the beginning of 2004, AKUVIB has been supporting its customers with comprehensive experience and a wide range of testing services in the field of acoustics, environmental simulation, vibration testing and FEM calculations.
In 2005, just one year after the company was founded, the extensive field of machine diagnostics was added. The detection of bearing damage, determination of imbalances and the analysis of unwanted machine vibrations were combined in a new department.
In 2007, AKUVIB opened up the possibilities of non-destructive material testing by means of acoustic emission.
This interesting method is so sensitive that it can detect noises in the material and thus make crack or rust growth detectable. In the course of the years, the possibilities of material testing were supplemented by a Zwick tensile and compression testing machine as well as a stone chip simulation system.
In 2008, the first major conversion measures were carried out.
Another shaker was purchased and numerous new machines were added to the already extensive testing facilities for environmental simulation. The aim was to be able to carry out a complete in-house validation.
As a highlight, the most powerful HALT system in Europe was put into operation. In autumn, the facilities were inaugurated as part of the company’s fifth anniversary.
As early as 2009, it became clear that the 1500sqm of test space would no longer be sufficient in the foreseeable future to set up all the planned testing facilities.
The neighbouring site was the ideal extension of the company and enabled the planning of numerous new testing facilities.
In 2011, negotiations and planning for the new building were started. It was designed according to the needs of the testing departments and work processes. Extensive planning of the hall floor plan was necessary to achieve an optimal solution.
Construction of the new building began in 2013. One of the most modern test laboratories was created on over 7000sqm. The building was to provide enough space for all the testing equipment and also have further expansion reserves for additional testing equipment.
At the beginning of 2014, after a year of construction, the test centre and the company moved completely into the new building. While testing operations continued, the facilities were successively transported to the new building, connected there and immediately put back into operation. Due to the redundancies in the systems, all of our customers’ test requests could be fulfilled despite the move.
The “Competence Centre for Electromobility and New Energies”, newly established within the framework of an EU project, was integrated into the building.
A new type of all-wheel drive performance test stand with climate conditioning, driving wind simulator and sun simulation for testing electric vehicles was developed and set up in the new hall.
The spacious training and seminar centre in the front part of the building now also offers the possibility of holding seminars and training courses for a large number of participants on our premises. Using the latest presentation technology, seminars on acoustics, vibration technology, environmental simulation and HALT testing are offered, some of them interactively.
In autumn **2014, **the building was inaugurated as part of the company’s 10th anniversary. Numerous specialist presentations rounded off a successful event.
**At the beginning of 2016, **planning began for the new area for testing “electromagnetic compatibility”. As in the other areas of competence, the aim was to provide customers with the opportunity to obtain all EMC tests from a single source. Corresponding areas were already planned into the building during the construction of the new building.
The new area was to cover tests from the automotive, industrial and railway sectors. Various shielding cabins and a correspondingly large anechoic hall were necessary for this.
The conversion and construction work for the new anechoic hall and the shielding cabins began in mid-2016. Since a measuring distance of 3m was to be realised, a correspondingly large anechoic hall had to be integrated into the existing building. All work was completed in December 2016.
At the beginning of 2017, our new EMC department went into operation. After the installation of the remaining technology, our new visitor centre in the area of the EMC test laboratories could be used by our customers.
As the history shows, AKUVIB has always offered complete support for testing and validation tasks under the heading
”Testing and engineering services from a single source”
.
However, our services go far beyond testing and measuring.