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Testing facilities upgraded to support export potential

RIGOROUS TESTING The nature of the automotive industry is highly technical and is subject to a vast number of standards

AUTOMOTIVE TESTING The SABS transportation laboratory is a testing laboratory accredited by the South African National Accreditation System and the International Automotive Task Force

ENSURING COMPLIANCE Testing vehicle components in compliance with Euro 6 emission standards will reduce mononitrogen oxides and particulate matter in vehicle emissions

EXPORT QUALITY The upgraded facility will be able to support local exporting manufacturers who aim to export vehicles to Europe or other countries

25th July 2014

By: Donna Slater

Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

  

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set aside R6.1-million to enhance the vehicle-testing facility at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), in East London and Gauteng

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The DTI’s investment is in addition to R7-million that the SABS has invested to enhance the testing facility and it will be used to support South Africa’s exports programme.

The facility has been upgraded to comply with Euro 6 standards in terms of vehicle emissions and to improve the testing of tyres, helmets, brakes and tow and roll bars, as well as the microdot systems.

SABS testing division executive Katima Temba says the decision to test vehicle components to comply with Euro 6 emission standards will dramatically reduce mononitrogen oxides and particulate matter in vehicle emissions, which are the primary focus of Euro 6. These pollutants will be reduced in the waste stream.

The upgraded facility will be able to support local exporting manufacturers who aim to export vehicles to Europe or other countries, such as Australia.

The upgrades allows for the range of possible testing to be extended from the current Euro 5 to the new Euro 6 emission standards, and to include the existing as well as upcoming US requirements of the ultra-low-emission vehicle II and the super ultra-low-emission vehicle standards, as well as a Japanese emissions specification.

“The SABS emissions laboratory can support testing from Euro 1 to Euro 6 emission standards by dedicating testing-cell one to Euro 5 and 6 standards, and testing-cell two to the standards of Euro 1 to 4,” he says.

The SABS’s capital expenditure motivation was prepared at the end of 2011 and was approved during 2012. Orders for upgraded equipment were placed with measurement and analysis instrument manufacturer Horiba at the end of 2013, with the equipment having been installed in May.

The upgraded equipment includes testing- cell one, which was fitted with improved ambient-air filtration; and the diesel-dilution tunnel, which was modified to use a remote mixing of diesel and gasoline for fuel-injected vehicles.

The particulate handling system was upgraded with the addition of a heated filter cabinet, a new control system in the particulate measuring unit and a solid particle counting system.

Further, a new headwind fan was installed to cater for airflow proportional to a road speed of up to 130 km/h.

“As part of a general upgrade, the motor exhaust analyser computers – for testing- cells one and two – were replaced by modern, solid-state devices,” says Temba.

Industry Testing
The SABS facilities offer vehicle testing of various components to ensure product quality and safety, which includes crash tests, testing of brake components, exhaust emissions, engines, noise levels, seat and anchorage, homologation of vehicles, replacement brake-lining assemblies, hydraulic brake and clutch fluid, replacement safety glass for use in road vehicles, incandescent lamps for motor vehicles, tow bars, automotive glass, seat belts, number plates and automotive secondary lights.

“The nature of the automotive industry is highly technical and is subject to a vast number of standards, some of which are industry standards, while the majority of these are national standards,” Temba states.

The institution offers a range of services for management system certification, product testing and certification, and standardisation. The primary activities carried out in this sector ensure that the components and systems produced by the automotive supply industry comply with the relevant standards.

The SABS transportation laboratory is a testing laboratory that is accredited not only by the South African National Accreditation System but also by the International Automotive Task Force – one of 60 such certification bodies worldwide.

SABS representatives regularly liaise with German automotive oversight body VDA to ensure that they receive regular updates on all automotive developments, as increasing environmental and quality awareness implies the need for standardised requirements and test methods.

Industry Significance
The automotive industry is a sector which contributes about 7% to South Africa’s gross domestic product and employs about 80 000 personnel, with capital injections increasing at about 15% a year.

“Export earnings of R86.9-billion are one of the drivers of economic growth in South Africa, given the multiplier effect across all sectors. Hence, appropriate policy needs to be implemented for the sector to ensure growth, competitiveness and sustainable employment.

“It is estimated that the new policy of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) – with proper implementation – will create 160 000 direct jobs in the next ten years,” says Temba.

Investment levels exceeding R20-billion have been projected from 2009 to 2013, with the potential for a further yearly R3-billion until 2020, he states.

“The investment needs to be supported and maximised by empowering the South African automotive industry to continuously develop its levels of manufacturing competitiveness, driving further localisation and exploiting value chain opportunities,” adds Temba.

The SABS plays a crucial role in developing the industry through its role in the standardisation, testing and certification of products and processes to attain targets and objectives of the APDP, he concludes.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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