Studying the release mechanisms of child car seat buckles during a fast and highly accurate Quality Control check is a key step for Britax, worldwide supplier of child car seats. Britax has chosen AMETEK Test & Calibration Instruments' latest low-cost, low-force universal material testing machine, the LFPlus, for this essential task.
For years, Britax relied heavily on conventional force gauges to test car seat buckles. But with strict European standards gaining wider acceptance with consumers and vehicle manufacturers alike, a more accurate and reliable testing solution was required. Britax selected the LFPlus because of its versatility, low cost, and the service and support provided by AMETEK. Buckles currently are tested to meet the European ECER44.03 standards.
The LFPlus's modular design, which allows users to choose different options in the final design, attracted Britax initially. Unlike competitive low-force machines, the LFPlus features a generous working area to test larger than average-size samples. It comes with a 1kN (225 lbf) force capacity and accepts XLC Series load cells or CHATILLON® digital force gauges as the load-measuring device. Britax took advantage of the machine's versatility to design its own unique grips for child car seat buckles. AMETEK also supplies a wide range of grips and fixtures for application-specific tests.
Britax is particularly interested in two testing conditions. The first one measures peak forces of the seat button in a relaxed state, to prevent accidental release of the buckle. The second measures the button in a "loaded" state, to be sure the buckle has sufficient restraining strength, yet is not too difficult to open if a passenger becomes trapped.
For additional control, Britax uses AMETEK's latest NEXYGEN™ MT software, with its vast library of international standard test setups. Key features on this comprehensive, newly upgraded software include strict multilevel user security and audit trails for full traceability of data, video capture and playback of "live" tests for training and additional analysis, integrated LabVIEW® industry platform drivers, and more.
