New test bench in the vehicle laboratory strengthens training at a modern level

Weingarten - On Tuesday, April 14, laboratory staff from Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences, members of Formula Student and representatives of MAHA SE & Co. The previous model was only suitable for vehicles with combustion engines; the new test bench now also enables tests for vehicles with modern, dynamic drives and very high drive powers. The focus of the appointment was a complete test run for a dynamic power measurement. This involved accelerating and decelerating a Formula Student racing car to determine its maximum system performance under realistic conditions.

Significance for teaching and training

For the university and especially for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, this means that students can be sure that they will continue to receive "state-of-the-art training in the future", explains Professor Dr. Thomas Glogowski, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The modernization makes it possible to work with systems in the vehicle laboratory that are also used in industry. This ensures that the university continues to provide a high level of training in the field of automotive engineering.

For Leon Buchmüller, a student on the mechanical engineering course and Formula Student team lead, the practical applications are the main focus: "A test bench like this can be put to good use, especially when the weather isn't suitable. Especially in the future, when we develop our own gearboxes and build engines, it will certainly be used."

Michael Pleinies, system engineer and project manager at MAHA, emphasizes that test benches need to be continuously developed as vehicles become ever more powerful. The use of modern systems is therefore particularly important in order to test technology in a practical way: "At the university, the test bench can not only be used as a performance test bench, but also for driving simulation. The system is worthwhile because it is used here at RWU all year round," explains Michael Pleinies.

Watch the video here.

Text: Kathrin Wöhrle