AUTOLIV

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Autoliv, Inc. is the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems. Through its group of companies, they develop, manufacture and market protective systems, such as airbags, seatbelts, and steering wheels for all major automotive manufacturers in the world as well as mobility safety solutions, such as protection for pedestrian and riders of powered two wheelers. The company challenges and re-defines the standards of mobility safety to sustainably deliver leading solutions. In 2022, Autoliv products saved close to 35,000 lives and reduced more than 450,000 injuries.

AIRBAG INFLATOR TEST STATION

Autoliv began working with Jet Edge with a unique customization request. They wanted a testing system to validate their industry-leading airbag inflators that are critical to the deployment of the airbags during a collision.

Autoliv Airbag Inflators

Inflators produce a controlled amount of gas, with a certain composition, temperature, and flow rate. Inflators fill the airbag system to sufficiently cushion an automobile occupant in case of a collision. Since this is one of the most critical components of automotive safety, extensive “burst testing” is performed to ensure they engage properly, every time.

Autoliv Vehicle Airbag Image - Jet Edge Waterjet Systems

Autoliv is recognized as the industry’s foremost leader in airbag manufacturing.

“WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPACT THIS TESTING SYSTEM WILL HAVE ACROSS OUR TESTING PLATFORMS. THE PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED FROM THE USA AND IS NOW BEING ROLLED OUT TO OUR SISTER SITES IN ROMANIA, CHINA, INDIA, AND FRANCE, WITH CONTROL SYSTEMS HOSTED IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS WAS TRULY A COLLABORATION WITH TWO COMMITTED ENGINEERING TEAMS!”

WRITING THE EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Jet Edge worked very closely with Autoliv’s test engineers to understand the range of burst testing required on their inflators. The study resulted in 7 discrete tests being performed, each with its own test parameters. Using our HERO 50, ultra-high pressure pump as our base unit, each testing parameter was designed and then programmed into the SmartJet Controls.

Jet Smart Controls - Jet Edge Waterjet Systems

JET EDGE THREE PART SOLUTION: HERO 50 UHP PUMP, CUSTOMIZED JET SMART CONTROLS, STAINLESS STEEL BLAST CHAMBER.

Customized Jet Smart Controls

Controls needed to be customized for the seven test programs required to complete a sample. Autoliv also wanted a data collection system incorporated into the controls so manual entry, considerably less reliable and more cumbersome than automated data collection, could be avoided. Autoliv chose LabVIEW, a graphical programming environment that engineers use to develop automated research, validation, and production test systems. Since the software runs on a remote workstation, the control panel would have to allow a connection for data transmission.

Autoliv Custom Controls - Jet Edge Waterjet Systems

Key specifications included:

Programable PC based controls with touch screen
NEMA 12/13 rated electrical enclosure with UL and CE marked electrical panel
VFD Multi-Input voltage with coolin fan and vent for optimal and consistent performance with any 3 phase power worldwide

Stainless Steel Blast Chamber

A stainless-steel blast-chamber was designed to house the airbag inflator during the test protocol safely. The door would have to lock until the program was completed and the pressure bled down to safe level. Regulators to receive and direct the high-pressure water stream are incorporated along with an electronic switch and lock for safety during operation.

Burst Airbag Inflator

Autoliv Blast Chamber - Jet Edge Waterjet Systems

Key specifications included:

Blast chamber and door with electronic switch and lock
On/Off high flow valve assembly
Automatic pre-fill
Actuated valve and fittings/tubing

A HERO 50, Ultra High Pressure Pump was the base model chosen to deliver the water volume at the required pressures.

Key specifications included:

60k psi/4, 100 bar of cutting pressure
50 HP TEFC NEMA premium efficiency motor
Single piston, dual plunger intensifier with tie rod design
Dual 2 quart/1.9 liter long attenuators
1.1 gpm/4.1 lpm flow rate
Safety shut down systems
Rugged all-steel welded framework
Heavy gauge sheet metal covers

ABOUT AUTOLIV

MORE LIVES SAVED – MORE LIVES LIVED

“The purpose of our work is with us every day. We want to save more lives and make mobility safer for everyone. It is personal. It affects us, our families and everyone we care about. The next life we save could be one of theirs.”

A Fortune 500 company, Autoliv is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and incorporated in the state of Delaware, U.S.A. Through their group of companies, Autoliv designs, develops and manufactures passive safety systems for the automotive industry as well as mobility safety solutions that address the emerging needs of the entire mobility chain.

Every year our products prevent more than 450,000 severe injuries. Our 69,100 associates in 27 countries are passionate about our vision of Saving More Lives and quality is at the heart of everything we do.

DO YOU HAVE A CUSTOM HIGH PRESSURE PUMP APPLICATION YOU WOULD LIKE HELP WITH? CONTACT JET EDGE FOR CUSTOM SOLUTIONS AND A FULL ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF YOUR APPLICATION