Mon, 02 May 2011
Report Details Crash Test Performance of Aftermarket Structural Parts
Aftermarket parts manufacturer Diamond Standard has published a new industry whitepaper detailing the results and expert reviews of crash tests designed to measure the performance of their parts in comparison to the OEM equivalents.
The paper, Equivalent Bumper System Crash Pulse Performance Through the Lens of Crashworthiness & Occupant Safety Experts, details a series of MGA Research Corporation FMVSS 214 fixed barrier tests designed to test the crash performance of the front energy absorber and bumper reinforcement system by measuring crash pulse management as well as vehicle occupant head trajectory. The tests were conducted using OEM service parts and Diamond Standard parts for a 2006 Nissan Altima.
The MGA Certified test results have been reviewed and validated by crashworthiness and occupant safety experts George Neat, Former Chief of Vehicle Crashworthiness Division, The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (DOT) and Dr. David Breed, the recipient of the H. H. Bliss Award as one of the inventors of the air bag. These credible third party industry experts and respected leaders in their chosen fields, add a strong measure of convincing defensibility for Diamond Standard Products.
And while the Diamond Standard parts compared very favorably to the OEM service parts in these tests, the company points out that the tests were conducted to prove the performance of Diamond Standard parts and were not meant to imply that parts from other manufacturers would perform as well. "The focus of the proprietary study is a direct comparative on functional bumper component performance between OEM service parts and Diamond Standard Brand alternative parts only. No statements or representations are extended to other manufacturers of aftermarket parts, which may or may not be acceptable for use," said Mike O'Neal, President of Diamond Standard.
A series of fixed barrier tests were conducted utilizing the absorber and reinforcement systems to measure load paths, crash pulse and ultimately occupant head trajectory movement of anthropomorphic dummies to establish the direct comparatives of performance and affect of the systems on head movement forward and vertically. They were conducted at MGA's Burlington, WI facility utilizing the FMVSS 214 sled protocol at a speed of 9.5 MPH, just under the threshold of the no-fire air bag velocity range.
According to James Hackney, Former Director of Crashworthiness, NHTSA and co-author of the "New Car Assessment - Five-Star Crash Rating - Vehicle Safety Performance Characteristics," who developed many of the test protocols utilized by MGA, "To measure load carrying characteristics and dynamic tests determining crash pulse and deceleration comparatives for structural parts, properly manufactured aftermarket parts can provide, at least, equivalent performance to OEM service parts they replace."
The first set of sled tests were conducted without an anthropomorphic dummy, providing system benchmark data comparatives including load carry capabilities, crash pulse and deceleration markers. George Neat, Former Crashworthiness Expert concluded, "The performance of the Diamond Standard alternative absorber/rebar can be expected to be very similar to the performance of the OEM equipment in a crash scenario." The second series of comparative testing inserted an anthropomorphic dummy in the test sled vehicle with the fixed barrier test faithfully repeated. The tests focused on and determined the affect of the bumper system components on dummy head trajectory measuring the "x" position for forward movement and "z" position for vertical movement.
Dr. David Breed concludes, "The Diamond Standard and the OEM bumpers are for all practical purposes identical in the region where the bumper determines crash pulse. It is unlikely that they would perform differently in real world crashes where an airbag deploys."
"As a manufacturer of quality structural parts, it is our job and responsibility to provide the highest quality parts that replicate the safety and damageability characteristics of the OEM original parts and are functionally equivalent to the service parts they replace period," said O'Neal. "Without hesitation, George Neat and Dr. David Breed provide a credible and qualified expert view. In validating Diamond Standard's equivalent functional performance as determined and certified by MGA, they provide a most compelling and convincing voice of reason for an industry seeking acceptable, equivalent performing parts today," O'Neal said.
Since the 2010 January CIC meeting, the industry has been embroiled with contrasting presentations on part quality pitting OEM vs. the aftermarket. Some insurers temporarily suspended authorization of aftermarket structural parts, and the call made for manufacturers and distributors to stop manufacturing, selling and distributing inferior structural parts. "Diamond Standard patently believes and supports the industry goal of achieving a complete, safe repair that restores the collision management system of the vehicle to pre-damaged condition with equivalent parts that limit collateral damage and vehicle totals in lower speed events and protect occupant safety in higher speed collisions," according to Geoff Crane, Business Development Manager of Diamond Standard Parts, LLC.
To obtain a copy of the paper contact Geoff Crane at geoff@diamondstandardparts.com