AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – June 13, 2014 – Element Materials Technology is launching a new automotive testing service that is designed to provide highly precise simulations of real-world air bag deployment.

Element’s new testing capability, located at its state-of-the-art laboratory in Plymouth, MI, is aimed at globally-recognized manufacturers in the automotive industry, providing them with more accurate data and visual results.

To develop the service, Element’s Engaged Experts innovated a propriety testing system. The integrated air bag testing system uses high-speed video imaging, with up to three camera views simultaneously capturing images of the air bag deployment. This allows for evaluation of deployment times, including first seam rupture and time to full deployment, and highlights any anomalies that may occur, such as debris release and resultant trajectories.

Additionally, the system provides two-stage adjustable squib pulse controls, ensuring accurate squib firing and integration for repetitive testing operations, and monitoring of all facility safety equipment, such as emergency stop switches, door sensors and locks, exhaust fans, and warning lights.

Chris LaMothe, Element’s EVP, Transportation and Industrials, says: “Testing airbags in such an integrated way is a very niche capability, but one that delivers much more data than a standard air bag deployment test. The development and addition of this service is a critical step in cementing our partnership with some of the region’s leading automotive brands. The investment in air bag deployment testing has been led by the needs of our key partners and adds to our Plymouth laboratory’s extensive range of services encompassing environmental, vibration, and interior testing.”

About Element: 
Element is a global network of laboratories with experts specializing in materials testing, product qualification testing and failure analysis for the Aerospace, Oil and Gas and the Transportation and Industrial sectors. Their team of 1,500 scientists, engineers and technicians work in 42 facilities located throughout the U.S. and Europe. For complete Accreditations & Approvals and more information, please visit www.element.com.


Media Contact: 
Alison Dwyer or Benjamin Pfeffer, Smith & Smith PR Ltd., tel: +44 161 927 9487, e-mail: element@smithandsmithpr.co.uk.

“The development and addition of this service is a critical step in cementing our partnership with some of the region’s leading automotive brands.”

Chris LaMothe

EVP, Transportation & Industrials