A new test platform enables earlier validation of transmissions for eVTOL, aerospace, defence and off-highway applications
Hewland Engineering commissioned the bespoke rig at its Technical Centre in Southam, Warwickshire, enabling gearbox and drivetrain systems to be tested under controlled load at different operating attitudes.
Designed and specified by Hewland’s in-house engineering team, the rig was developed initially to meet the requirements of an eVTOL programme, but it is now being offered for wider aerospace, defence and off-highway applications where transmission performance can be strongly influenced by vehicle or aircraft orientation.
The facility is fully accredited to AS9100 standards and forms part of Hewland’s wider testing and validation capabilities. By reproducing different pitch, roll and other operating conditions on a dedicated test rig, engineers can investigate transmission performance before a system is ever installed in a complete vehicle or aircraft – meaning that issues or improvements can be made safely in the laboratory.
This is particularly important for systems in which lubrication and oil distribution can be affected by changes in attitude. The rig enables engineers to characterise factors including bearing durability, lubrication system performance, gear behaviour and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), helping to identify potential design issues earlier in the development cycle.
The tilt rig provides fully loaded testing of transmission systems in any orientation from 0° to 90°, together with basic spin testing up to 34kW. It forms part of a broader test capability at the Hewland Technical Centre.
Mark Ingram, technical director at Hewland Engineering, said: “With the backing of our parent company Hero Motors, we are now able to make significant investments in test capabilities that extend our ability to support customers through the complete development and validation process to enable them to sign-off designs very quickly and very much earlier in their development cycle than previously”.
“The tilt rig allows us to investigate dynamic transmission behaviours much earlier in the programme, giving engineers controlled, repeatable test data before the system reaches vehicle or aircraft-level testing. That can help identify design issues earlier and reduce the time and cost associated with subsequent redevelopment”.
“We initially developed the capability to satisfy a specific eVTOL project requirement, but we have since identified wider demand across aerospace, defence and off-highway applications where transmission systems need to operate reliably across a range of attitudes and load conditions.”
Located in Southam, near Rugby, the Technical Centre complements the company’s established design and manufacturing operation in Maidenhead and is staffed by experienced test and development engineers.
The new capability forms part of Hewland’s broader investment in transmission design, manufacture and validation, supporting the development of high-performance mechanical and electrified drivetrains for motorsport, automotive, aerospace, defence and off-highway applications.