Car manufacturers are required to test their molded foam car seats to ensure safety and performance. In order to create these seats, manufacturers or suppliers pour liquid foam into seat molds. During this process, it is easy to create small bubbles and imperfections. Bolster testing is the analysis of the arms and rounded sides of the seats to check for such imperfections. It is essential to choose an accurate test machine for bolster testing in order to ensure uniform products.
Bolster testing also ensures the desired firmness of a cushion. Every manufacturer requires a certain firmness and must test in order to guarantee their quality. An accurate machine is necessary to exactly determine this firmness, and may also determine saved expenses for car seat manufacturers. Bolster testing machines are used to eliminate excess foam that could easily be wasted during the molding process. This test can be integrated into a seat manufacturer’s production line or can be used for incoming lot qualification testing of vendor products.
Some manufacturers use hand held scales for bolster testing, but this technique may compromise accuracy due to the fact that viscoelastic materials such as foam vary in firmness based on the rate of loading. Therefore a compression testing machine is needed to ensure accurate rate control. Manual techniques allow excessive variability in the test results and will expose you to risk of poor product quality.
TestResources offers a variety of flat or hemispherical platens to outfit new and existing compression test machines. TestResources foam test software and fixtures also cover a wide range of internal car seat testing standards including from major companies such as BMW, Volkswagen Group, Chrysler, GM, and Ford. Call today to speak directly with a test engineer and we will help configure the best testing plan and equipment for your car seat application.
Applicable Testing Standards
Recommended Test Machine
Forces up to 10 kN (2,250 lbf)
Low force tabletop systems
Modular series of five frame options with adjustable test space
Affordable testing option for tension, compression, bend, peel and much more
Force range of 5 kN to 600 kN (1,125 lbf to 135,000 lbf)
Adjustable test space
The most popular choice for static tension and compression tests
These dual column testers are available in both tabletop and floor standing models
Recommended Testing Accessories
Designed in accordance to ASTM D3574
Platen diameter of 200 mm (8 in)
Articulating platen adjusts to specimen geometry