Smithers invests in advanced rolling resistance testing capabilities in Suzhou

Akron, OH – Smithers announces the addition of three specialized rolling resistance testing capabilities at its tire and wheel test center in Suzhou, China. These new capabilities offer more comprehensive insight into vehicle operating scenarios by recreating a wider range of real-world situations in a laboratory environment.

The new testing capabilities include:
Rolling resistance testing with slip/camber angle for passenger car (PCR) and light truck (LT) tires. Traditional rolling resistance testing is conducted at 0° slip and camber angles. However, factors such as wheel alignment, steering operations, and changes in vehicle body attitude can cause small changes to slip and camber angles during real-world driving conditions. This new capability simulates a wider range of slip and camber angle scenarios and gives automotive OEMs deeper insight into vehicle energy loss due to wheel alignment parameters. Additionally, tire manufacturers can evaluate the impact of angle parameters on rolling resistance and leverage that data to optimize tire structure and tread design.
High- and low-temperature rolling resistance testing for truck and bus radial (TBR) tires. Changes in rolling resistance are among the key factors affecting vehicle range in winter. Regulatory standards for rolling resistance are based on a narrow temperature range. In response to client feedback, Smithers invested in high- and low-temperature rolling resistance testing capabilities for PCR and LT tires in 2022 and has now added the ability to test a wider range of tires.
Rolling resistance testing with chassis components for PCR and LT tires. The resistance of chassis components, such as half-shafts, and brake discs, can significantly affect vehicle range long term. However, there is a shortage of specialized indoor testing capabilities to independently measure such resistance. Thanks to a proprietary new design, Smithers can simultaneously mount chassis components during rolling resistance testing and obtain data on both tire-only resistance and the total resistance of tire and chassis components. The data is then used to calculate the resistance of chassis components, which OEMs can use to optimize vehicle energy loss.

All three capabilities are expected to be fully operational by December 1, 2025.

“Smithers is seeing increased demand on a global scale for testing of tires and vehicles that more closely mimics real-world conditions,” said Derek Read, Vice President of Asia Pacific / Global Development, Materials Science and Engineering, Smithers. “These new capabilities are strategic investments into the refined, scenario-based testing our clients require to improve both tire and tire-chassis-vehicle system performance.”