To expand its testing capabilities, Fras-le North America Inc. purchased a new brake NVH dynamometer from Link Engineering Co.

The approximately $1.5 million dollar investment by Fras-le distinguishes the company as the first friction manufacturer that owns a dynamometer with a test chamber of such a large size. The size of the chamber allows Fras-le to fit a full axle of a pickup truck inside for testing, whereas only corner axle testing is possible with smaller dynamometers.

Fras-le's new dynamometer, for light- and medium-duty vehicle testing, is designed to reproduce actual vehicle road conditions and will test for durability, wear, performance and NVH. The new large chamber also enables Fras-le to test for environmental control by reproducing many different humidity and temperature differences and to conduct enhanced noise testing.

The new dynamometer is located in Link Engineering’s Dearborn, Mich. facility, which is near Fras-le's North American headquarters in Northville, Mich.  

Fras-le's new brake dynamometer complements the company's increased commitment to friction manufacturing in the U.S. at its plant in Prattville, Ala., which recently announced an $11 million investment in friction manufacturing equipment.