For a busy workshop, fitting a replacement part should be the solution to a problem, not the start of another one. Yet when components reach workshops without sufficient validation, technicians can be left dealing with repeat repairs, additional diagnostic time and frustrated customers.
At Intermotor Group, product testing and validation form an important part of its product development process. Products are assessed before being introduced to the market, helping to ensure they meet required standards of performance, quality and reliability.
Intermotor’s engineering team assesses components throughout the development process, with products tested against a range of requirements to identify potential issues and ensure they are ready for technicians to use.
Intermotor’s specialist equipment tests how components perform in different environments. This includes a thermal shock chamber to expose products to rapid changes in temperature, salt spray testing to assess resistance to corrosion, and a thermal cycle oven to evaluate performance under sustained heat and repeated temperature changes.
Vibration testing is also used to assess how components respond to the stresses and movement they may experience during operation. Alongside this specialist equipment, the engineering team has also developed bespoke testing solutions where required, including a dedicated rig designed to repeatedly operate accelerator pedals through continuous cycles.
Testing provides an opportunity to identify and address potential issues before products reach the market. Where results highlight areas for improvement, Intermotor’s engineering team can adjust and carry out further testing as part of the development process, rather than relying on real-world use to identify problems.
Ross Toomey, Managing Director at Intermotor Group, commented: “The aftermarket shouldn’t be the testing ground for new parts. Our customers need confidence that the components they are supplying and fitting have been properly assessed before they reach the workshop. That’s why testing and validation are such an important part of our development process, supported by our engineering team and specialist testing capabilities.”
For workshops, this process is ultimately about confidence in the component being fitted. Intermotor aims to reduce the risk of problems emerging once a product reaches the market and support a more efficient repair process.
