New Generation of Test Stations for Hydraulic Brake Components

HANNING & KAHL has long been using fully automatic test stations to test hydraulic brake components. The brake components are thoroughly tested, results are reliably recorded and automatically documented. As of 2023, these test stations will be deployed in both our inhouse assembly departments for new devices and for aftermarket equipment. Customers all over the world also use HANNING & KAHL test stations on a daily basis. By Dirk Brokmann and Claudius Kipp

As some of the inhouse test stations had not been completely automated and some were affected by component discontinuation, it was time for redesign. The foundation stone for a new generation of test stations was laid in 2018 when a team started working on constructive redesign and steadily advancing the implementation of such projects. During redesign, the general conditions and requirements were defined anew and taken into account. The new test stations for inhouse use have some new functions. The brake components will be tested with suitable hydraulic consumers to enable realistic reaction times and pressures to be simulated, similar to later real operation on the vehicle. A further focus of the review was oil maintenance in the overall system. The new generation of test stations has an automated oil-maintenance cycle which cleans contamination of the hydraulic oil and maintains the oil quality at a high level. Staff experience was incorporated in the design of the test stations, enabling improvements in device ergonomics and operability. 

Based on our new inhouse test stations, we also redesigned the test stations which HANNING & KAHL will be supplying to customers all over the world from this year on. This means that customers can now test their brake components in standard HANNING & KAHL manner. This way we ensure that new safety-relevant systems can be extensively and thoroughly tested while in the production stage and also when in operation for customers. Potential malfunctions are automatically detected by the test system and indicated in unambiguous messages. Technical problems can thus be identified and rectified rapidly and reliably, ensuring the highest level of availability. 

We look forward to showing you our new generation of test stations. For more information, just contact the HANNING & KAHL team.