MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn., has sold an extensive array of state-of-the-art mechanical testing systems to Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). The MTS systems will be used in NIAR’s new Aircraft Structural Test and Evaluation Center (ASTEC), one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated full-scale structural testing facilities.
At 130,000 square feet, ASTEC has the capacity to host full-scale structural testing for some of the world’s largest aircraft, or multiple aircraft simultaneously. The center also includes laboratories for component and materials testing, enabling commercial and military aircraft manufacturers to conduct virtually any kind of testing in one location.
MTS systems are deployed throughout the center, and include FlexTest Controllers, MTS FlexDAC Data Acquisition Systems, and AeroPro Software for structural test applications, as well as high-force load frames for component and materials testing.
“MTS technology allows us to efficiently manage resources across the entire spectrum of testing that occurs within ASTEC, and to readily accommodate any modifications our clients need to make to their test setups,” said Tim Hickey, ASTEC Director. “The integrated control and data acquisition streams enhance the speed and ease of data processing, allowing our clients to quickly verify that a test was successful. Because of this, we have a lot of repeat clients; once they realize the full scope of capabilities and equipment we have, they want to do more kinds of testing on additional projects.”
