Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10
FACTORY TESTING
IMPROVES AUTOS
Motorists Demands Re-
quire Precision and Trained
Engineering.

Today, automobiles must not only be
built upon well defined precision
methods from parts and units that are
of the best quality of material, as well
as being mechanically perfect, they
must, after being constructed, be tested
thoroughly in order to determine be-
yond the shadow of a doubt, whether
these parts and units are so co-ordi-
mated, so finely adjusted, as to function
efficiently and render the high type of
service rightfully demanded by the
modern-day motorist, according to G.
G. Patrick. automotive engineer.
In the last two decades the testing
Of automobiles has risen from the some
what careless slipshod methods of the
early days to well defined, systematic
procedure which today has gained a
definite place in the industry, along
with the other branches of automobile
engineering.
Test engineers are literally and fig
uratively obSessed with one ruling
thought and obje3t-t1 satisfy them
selves that the cars they test are as
mechanically perfect as human in
genuity and engineering skill can make
them.
Trained Men for Tests.
Today, the testing of motor cars re-
qulreS the services of trained and ex-
per1enced test engineers, men who have
been schooled to detect the slightest
thing amiSs in even the smallest
mechanism in the car, and men who
have the ability and the knowledge
necessary to alleviate or remedy such
condition, II and when it arises.
Inc f1rst test of the engine known
as the block test, takes place after its
various units are assembled and before
1t Is swung into the chassis. In this
test 1t Is mounted on q steel rack, or
block, especially designed for the pur-
pose. The test, in which two distinct
methods are utilized, then begins. In
the first method, known as the dy-
namometer test. the engine is run from
TO hours, during which it is mott
waited by power derived from an cleo
trio motor with which its drive shaft is
hooked up. In the second method the
engine is run under its own power for
as many hours as conditions warrant
During these tests the operating eff
cheney Of the engine Is carefully checked
at intervals, through the use of deli
cately adjusted precision gauges some
of which have capacity for measuring
one-thousandth part of an inch.
Then there is the chassis test, one of
the most thorough of the tests to which
this major unit of the automobile Is
subjected. It takes place after the en-
CINE has been tested, okayed and
mounted in its place forward in the
chassis. The method used is what is
known as the roller test" The chassis,
which is now in a relatively completed
stage, is driven upon the rollers a
unique device, which is perhaps the
most efficient mechanism for chassis
testing In use today. Under its own
power the chassis is driven on these
faT Vrg1an faA u
be distance Of Is miles and at q speed
Of Is miles per hour. This test not
only limbers up all chassis mechanisms,
it at the same time gives the engine
an additional test. Under each of the
cars four wheels Is q set of two heavy
iron rollers. which are sufficiently heavy
to test well the tractive power of the
car as 1t runs upon the rollers under
its own power, since they impose upon
the engine. drive shaft and differen-
.tial condition very similar to the one
car is driven over both steep grades
and level stretches.
Ready for Road Test.
Once past the critical eye of the en-
gineers in charge of engine and chassis
tests. the body having been mounted
on the chassis, the car is then ready
for the road test. In this test 1t Is
driven a distance of Is miles or more
at various speeds, during which 1t en-
counters a SUFFICIENT number of tests
necessary to determine its operating
efficiency, fuel economy, reliability,
speed, etc.
After passing the road test. the car
is ready for a going over and check-up
by the final test engineers at the fac
tory. Only after this check-up by the
factory is the car released by the final
test engineer, and then, and then only,
is 1t ready for shipment.
In this enlightened day, before the
car is delivered to the owner 1t has
been thoroughly tested and "limbered
up, so that it can be driven with ease
and confidence. since each and every
unit in the cars mechanism has been
tested in such a way as to Thoroughly
satisfy the test engineers, before the
car leaves the factory, as to its oper-
ating and performance qualities.