Quality assurance assured
July 1st 2006

ZF Steering Systems Nacam UK won a contract to supply steering columns for the Renault Modus and turned to Kistler Instruments to solve a quality assurance problem.

The design of the Modus column made it necessary to monitor the 'slide load' in relation to the distance the column is extended, not only the force needed. Working with Kistler, ZF designed an automatic test rig that monitors the forces needed to extend and retract the telescopic column in relation to distance. the force is measured throughout the length of travel by a Kistler piezoelectric precision force sensor and distance by a linear displacemenet transducer. Both parameters are fed into a Kistler CoMo Net systemn that monitors the date and rejects and column not within specification. A 100 per cent inspection routine guarantees the quality of these safety critical components.

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