January 26, 2012 - Mustang Advanced Engineering delivers an end-of-line tester to The TORO Company for their line of Greensmowers. The unit is replacing The TORO Company’s existing outdated unit.
The custom dynamometer designed for The TORO Company uses two 6.5”-diameter rubber-coated rolls that provide a special grip for the lawnmowers. Two strain-gauge load cells accurately measure the precise reaction torque from the dynamometer’s two 150-hp motors, with easy calibration to ensure continuous accuracy.
Adjustable motor bases and telescoping drive shafts give the unit flexibility for the variations in size between Greensmower machines. Loading and unloading mowers is as simple as decoupling the drive shafts and removing the mower from the test stand.
The end-of-line tester was designed to allow continuous, real-time monitoring of the mower’s speed and temperature. Throughout the test sequence, other values that are tested include:
- Oil Pressure
- Engine Coolant Temperature
- Engine RPM
- Engine Oil Temperature
- Vehicle Power Output
With the end-of-line testing dynamometer, Mustang also delivered a custom EOL software package specifically designed for both electric and gasoline models. The software comes with a touch screen interface with clear, easy-to-read controls and pass/fail results.
The software has robust customization options so that The TORO Company’s rigourous PASS/FAIL criteria can easily be tweaked and adjusted in the future. Specific test sequences have been written for each unique lawn mower, which are easily selectable at the beginning of the test. Designed for high throughput, the software is simple and clear, making it easy to run test after test, and assuring that every Greensmower that leaves The TORO Company’s facility is working perfectly.
“This comprehensive End-of-Line tester for TORO is another great example of the custom solutions we design and build for our customers” said Dean Ganzhorn, Mustang President and CEO. “This particular project was exciting because of the unique form factors of the mowers and the very thorough testing procedures that TORO puts their equipment through. We’re proud to have supplied TORO with this tester.”
Among the facilities of Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) is a dedicated laboratory for internal combustion research that is fully equipped with MAE systems. The Engine Dynamometer Laboratory is staffed and equipped for investigation of engine performance and emissions resulting from use of biofuels formulated in a variety of blends.
Mustang Advanced Engineering (MAE) is currently set to deliver a turnkey, modular, outdoor test lab for Hybrid and Electric Vehicle testing to Southern California – Edison. The MAE designed and built test built test facility will be equipped with a new, state-of-the-art 48″ roll AWD chassis dynamometer with twin 250-hp AC motor and a variable wheelbase.
Mustang Advanced Engineering recently delivered three specialized test stands to Kettering University to support the university’s Green Mobility Lab located in Flint, Michigan.
The science of measuring emissions from mobile and other sources has evolved significantly over the past several years. The most important changes in the nature of emissions measurement science has been a shift to examining emissions from diesel sources and to understanding emissions under in-use driving conditions.
MAE recently completed the design and manufacture of one of the world’s largest Heavy-Duty AC Motor Chassis Dynamometers and Multi-Performance Testers for The Beijing Institute of Technology. The massive dynamometer is designed to carry out testing for medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles with drive axles ranging from one to four, including 8×8, 8×6, 8×4, 6×6, 6×4, 6×2 and 4×4. 
Mustang Advanced Engineering recently delivered a turn-key End-of-Line multi-function test system to Superior Controls for the testing of the US Military’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) 4×4 and 6×6 vehicles as they come off the production line. 
Mustang Advanced Engineering recently delivered a custom dynamometer to Meggitt Defense Systems Caswell for the testing of three different-sized Moving Armor Target (MAT) Vehicles ranging in size from 600 lbs to 3,200 lbs, each having a different wheel configurations and track widths and a series of electromagnetic trip sensors. 
MAE recently delivered a sophisticated Mobile Laboratory Tow Dynamometer for use in validating tractors to the Nebraska Tractor Test Drawbar Test. Previously MAE delivered the PTO test stand, which is used to perform the PTO portion of the Nebraska Tractor Test to the same customer. The Mobile Lab Tow Dynamometer consists of a modified extended cab class-8 over-the-road truck with a modified powertrain and adjustable front tongue assembly. The system is supplied with a tractor fuel measurement system to measure the pulling tractors fuel usage during testing. A weather Station is located in the dynamometer system to measure ambient temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure, while a portable data pod located in the test tractor’s cab captures the tractor’s engine rpm, engine pressures & temperature. The system is also easily expanded to communicate with the tractor’s ECM. 
Mustang Advanced Engineering recently delivered a highly sophisticated, high-speed Advanced Transmission Test Stand (ATTS) to NASA for development and testing of variable and two speed gearbox systems for rotorcraft aircraft. 
Mustang Advanced Engineering recently supplied three automated end-of-the-line test systems to Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The project, dubbed the “Keystone Project”, called for Harley-Davidson to build a new $145 million, 350,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on the site of its existing assembly plant in York, Pennsylvania. The York plant provides machining, fabrication, paint and final assembly of the Dyna, Softail and Touring models and builds limited edition custom models. 
