Auto Tier1Test Anywhere: Simulation at the Heart of Mobile Testbench Design

Long story short

Some measurements simply can’t be carried out in a fixed lab, you have to bring them to where the vehicle is actually driving, in every weather condition. Rather than rebuilding the same lab over and over, it’s smarter to be able to move your measurement equipment to wherever you need it: compact enough to transport, yet fully equipped. Think of a test car on a mountain road in winter: you cannot recreate such conditions in a hall. A Tier 1 supplier in the automotive sector faced exactly that challenge.

What does this mean for you?

Do you also need to measure where it happens, rather than in a controlled lab environment? CTRL engineering designs compact, fully equipped mobile test setups that bring the lab to the field, without sacrificing accuracy.

The challenge

They needed a mobile test bench within a limited container space, with strict requirements for weight distribution during transport, thermal stability for both equipment and operator under changing weather conditions, vibration-free measurements, and ergonomic safety in a cramped workspace.

Our approach

CTRL engineering systematically evaluated different container layouts, taking into account weight, clearance, maintenance access, and operator workspace. Temperature, vibration, and safety were also tested virtually, so the final layout decision was only made once everything checked out.

“Simulation-driven optimization allows us to balance thermal management, vibration control, and operator comfort, ensuring an efficient and reliable mobile test facility.”

- Aaron Wittouck, Simulation Expert at CTRL engineering

The result

Multiple viable layouts, including an elongated and a stacked variant, combining all technical requirements: an optimized weight distribution, a minimized heat load with confirmed interior temperatures within spec and reduced cooling power needed, and vibration analyses confirming measurement integrity. The result is a robust, energy-efficient, relocatable test facility.