Environmentally friendly technologies have been the focus of research activities at BERU for a long time. The intent of BERU is to develop intelligent innovations that contribute to individual mobility and safety while always keeping an eye on the environment. With this in mind, the objectives are to improve fuel economy and reduce exhaust emissions. Against this background, research & development have very high priority at BERU, since it is only in this way that BERU can maintain its position as a technological leader. Research and development activities are a visible indicator of a company's long-term policies and commitment to invest in the future.
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The Research and Development Center in Ludwigsburg – competence center for Ignition Technology, Diesel Cold-Start Technology, Electronics and Sensors
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At the R & D Center in Ludwigsburg, new products can be tested in accordance with the latest worldwide standards for the automobile industry. This allows BERU to address the increasingly demanding requirements of automakers with regard to research, development and quality assurance.
The following test stands are located at the Research and Development Center in Ludwigsburg:
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All-wheel roller test bench
An all-wheel roller test bench, housed in a two-storey climate chamber to permit testing and development of automotive components, is at the heart of the R & D Center. Temperatures ranging from – 40 Grad to + 30 degrees Celsius can be generated in the climate chamber. Using this roller test bench, BERU is able to test and validate products and systems in a vehicle under driving conditions. The following products are tested on this roller test bench: spark plugs, glow plugs, diesel instant start systems, tire pressure control systems as well as sensors and electronic components.
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Ceramics Competence Center
In the ceramics department, activities focus on development of ceramic glow plugs. The technical capabilities here include, among others:
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Extrusion and co-extrusion of ceramic/polymer mixtures on a fairly large scale
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Production of ceramic/metal compounds with the aid of special soldering techniques
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Microstructure and elemental analysis
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Endurance tests with simulation of engine conditions with and without incoming flow
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High-resolution observation with the aid of a scanning electron microscope
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Quality management
The product testing and quality assurance area houses, for instance:
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The central vibration test laboratory
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Laboratories for ignition system components and sensors
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The endurance test area
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Extended test and inspection areas
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Electromagnetic compatibility
In the EMC department, BERU has the opportunity to test the behaviour of various electrical and electronic components, for instance, that of an electric PTC auxiliary heater, in response to electromagnetic radiation. At BERU, EMC measurements are an essential part of the product qualification process. The type and scope of the measurements are established together with the customer.
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Engine test benches
Conventional and special engine test benches equipped with measuring instrumentation permit fully automatic endurance and cold-start tests.
Here, BERU products such as the pressure sensor glow plug (PSG) can be subjected to real-world engine conditions to test the service life, component behaviour and effects of exhaust emissions.
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Competence Center - BERU Electronics GmbH
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At the Electronics Competence Center in Bretten, activities are concentrated on the development and production of systems for the automotive electronics market. The Tire Safety System (TSS), the Diesel Instant Start System (ISS) and the PTC auxiliary heater product group are the focal points here. Here, too, products undergo a variety of tests, including the effects of temperature as recorded in a specially equipped climate chamber, during development in the course of customer-specific product qualification.
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