• Heat exchangers
• Valves
• Pumps
• Filters
• Flame Arrestors
• Shut Off Valves

To create the most robust test scenario, climatic simulations are often used in combination with vibration, shock, or flexure stresses on enclosures containing pressurized and flowing hazardous fluids. In fact, you might want to get robust testing that includes fluid and fuel testing involving severe environmental and hazardous flow tests to 5,000 psi at temperatures of -423°F to +500°F and gaseous nitrogen up to +1,500^oF. The testing takes anywhere from one to three weeks—and it can be the difference of your product surviving in a real world scenario.

The post How to Survive Fuel Icing and Contamination appeared first on GVIRL.

Given the importance of accelerated aging the automotive industry, I figured you might like this white paper on mixed flowing gas testing. As you read it, you can benefit from:

• Learn How the Mixed Flowing Gas Corrosion Test Works
• Identify the Standard Best Suited for Your Product
• Learn How to Get Help with Accelerated Aging

Click the button below to download the white paper—discover the what mixed flowing gas testing is all about.

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The post How Mixed Flowing Gas Testing Helps You Predict the Future appeared first on GVIRL.

To test spectral dynamics of the SLS rocket, GVIRL implemented multiple input output (MIMO) and multiple input single output (MISO) control strategies to control the two vibration exciters. To facilitate this testing, GVIRL worked with one of the vibration controller vendors to confirm each of the MIMO profiles.

On the verge of the test, many technical experts suggested this might not be possible. What came next was a sight to behold. During the test the entire building shook, even with a seismically isolated reaction mass of 40’ X 20’ X 6’ solid concrete. In other words, the testing literally shook the earth!

All parties were impressed with the outcome as the test perfectly validated the integrity of the controllers under extreme conditions. At GVIRL, anything is possible.

The post Earth-Shaking Spectral Dynamics Testing appeared first on GVIRL.

When you plan on selling your product in Brazil, you might need different certifications depending on the product type. If you’re selling a wireless product, for example, you need to meet the requirements of Brazil’s Agencia Nacional de Telcomunicacoes (ANATEL). Certification is mandatory for all wireless products—and in-country testing along with local representation are required. When it comes to safety certification, you need an INMETRO mark. This type of can be done at a lab outside of Brazil as long as it meets specific requirements; but local representation is still required.

Once you decide you want to enter the Brazilian market, you need to develop a compliance strategy. This will help you mitigate against any pitfalls—and GVIRL can develop it on your behalf. In fact, GVIRL can help you get into more than 180 countries with ease. If you’re looking to fast track your entry into an international market, please message to one of our experts today.

In the meantime, take a moment to watch the TESTalk below—and get the latest details regarding product certification requirements for Brazil.

Watch TESTalk

The post TESTalk: Product Certification for Brazil appeared first on GVIRL.

What exactly is AutoTech? According to Daniel Yergin, Vice Charmain of the billion-dollar information company IHS Markit, AutoTech refers to the convergence electric vehicles, self-driving cars, and ride hailing services. Collectively, these areas of automotive technology will create an entirely new car economy that might not even be recognizable in the future.

On the testing front, labs around the world need to adapt to a completely different automotive market, offering services that meet stricter government compliance criteria while addressing new technological shifts. At GVIRL, for example, we’re providing a wide range of lithium-ion battery tests and autonomous vehicle services to facilitate a faster path to market.

Speed to market is key—and a one-stop test lab can put you on the fast track to entering global markets as demand for electric vehicles continues to increase. As a result, GVIRL not only provides lithium-ion battery testing, but also dynamometer testing, climatic simulations, electro-dynamic vibration, gravelometer, testing, and EMI/EMC services to name a few. Take a moment to see how we’re playing role in a changing industry by offering advanced automotive test services for electric, autonomous, and traditional vehicles.

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The post How Auto-Tech Is Transforming the Automotive Industry appeared first on GVIRL.

As a trusted partner for space testing, GVIRL has long been the industry’s go-to test lab for historic space missions. In fact, GVIRL has participated in every major space program since the inception of manned space flight. From the Apollo 11 mission to the recent Mars rover landing, GVIRL has been part of it all.

In 2019, the SLS program appeared to be slipping away from it goal of sending a woman to the moon by 2024. After all, this was an ambitious goal. The good news is that accelerating testing was possible—but it required a new way of thinking. As a result, GVIRL offered a unique solution.

In an effort to streamline operations, GVIRL worked directly with Boeing Company—and established one leadership team to work with all GVIRL laboratories. On the technical side, we also decided to create a dedicated team that spanned across all of our labs. The goal was simple. Focus exclusively on SLS work—and execute flawlessly. And yes, this included around-the-clock testing, providing SLS testing 24-hours a day, seven days a week for several months.

According to NASA, the SLS is expected to be “the largest rocket” in history—and there is no room for error. Within this in mind, GVIRL provided expert test services in the following areas:

LO2 and LH2 12” Prevalves

• Vibration and pyrotechnic shock tests at -320 F
• Functional tests with liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen
• Water flow testing at approximately 10,000 GPM

LO2 and LH2 Vent and Relief Valves

• Vibration and pyrotechnic shock tests at -320 F
• Functional tests with liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen
• Functional tests of the LH2 VRV with gaseous hydrogen and flow rates > 10 PPS

LH2 Fill and Drain Valve

• Vibration and pyrotechnic shock tests at -320 F
• Functional tests with liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen

Disconnect Assemblies

• Vibration and pyrotechnic shock tests at -320 F
• Functional tests with liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen

Fuel and Oxidizer Manifolds

• Vibration and shock with combined full flow requirements using GN2 and GHe
• Full functional tests with gaseous nitrogen and gaseous hydrogen
• Oxygen compatibility tests with hot gaseous hydrogen at high temperatures

LH2 LO2 Feed line Assemblies

• Dual shaker vibration tests at -320F with gaseous and liquid nitrogen utilizing specialized bearing and fixture techniques not previously used in the industry
• Thermal shock testing where the UUT was heated to +160F and then flushed with liquid hydrogen (-423F) at a flow rate of 7 PPS

As a result of this effort, GVIRL was nominated by both Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin for the prestigious space award. According to Lockheed Martin, “The qualification and testing of hardware for human-rated space flight systems is unique and extensive; and is a critical step in delivering to NASA the safest and most reliable systems for human space exploration. At the at the Washington IAF conference in Washington D.C in 2020, GVIRL was officially awarded the NASA FSA award.

The post The Story Behind GVIRL’s Award-Winning Work for NASA appeared first on GVIRL.

The approval for rapid development of the tactical space layer consists of a multi-disciplinary and cross-organizational approach. As a result, key collaborators consist of the Program Executive Office Intelligence, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), U.S. Army G-1, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, and the Long-Rage Precision Fires Cross Functional Team. Additional organizations and strategic partners play a role in creating a collaborative framework. “We have been coordinating with our military, national, and joint partners from the start to ensure our ability to provide unprecedented information to theater commanders at echelon,” said Willie Nelson, Director of Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing/Space Cross-Functional Team.

The post U.S. Army Announces Tactical Space Layer to Expand Military Capability appeared first on GVIRL.

The post Space Force Announces New Command Center in Los Angeles appeared first on GVIRL.

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Now the NASA Perseverance is unleashing Ingenuity—a tiny helicopter that will hover over the surface of the red planet early this month. It will be the first time in history that anyone has attempted flight on a different planet.

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The post NASA Features GVIRL Testing in Mars Rover Video appeared first on GVIRL.

1.  The UKCA marking can be placed on the product, packaging or on an accompanying document. The transition period lasts until January 1, 2023.
2.  Starting in 2023, the UKCA marking must be affixed in accordance with the requirements of the specific legislation. The information on product label for UKCA marked goods will mirror the current requirements for CE marked goods.
3.  To ease the burden on businesses, the UKCA marking and UK importer’s address can be placed on an accompanying document until January 1, 2023.
4.  The requirements for the manufacturer’s authorized representative will be the same as the current requirements for the EU authorized representative.
5.  Authorized representatives for goods placed on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2021 must be based in the UK, however for most goods sold, the use of authorized representatives is only voluntary.
6.  No additional testing is needed for compliance to the United Kingdom. The standards are harmonized with the EU as shown in the Designated Standards.
7.  The Reference Designated standards are categorized as “BS,” “EN,” “EN ISO,” or “EN IEC.” The “EN” prefix indicates that the standard has been adopted by a European standardizing body.
8.  Generate a UK DoC (a document that declares the product is in conformity with the relevant statutory requirements applicable to the specific product) to the UK test standards.

Since the UK and EN tests standards are harmonized, the existing test report can be used to show presumption of conformity to the UK in most cases. If product is tested to non-harmonized standards, however, a UK Notified Body will be required.

In addition, please note that where the designated standard specified in the notice of publication is prefixed “EN,” it is acceptable to reference this version in technical documentation (or a version of the same standard with a national prefix). This is because European standards are adopted identically by the 34 national members of CEN and CENELEC.  For example: BS EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018, DIN EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018, or simply EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 are all equally acceptable.

Finally, please note that the UKCA marking is for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland) and not used in Northern Ireland. To see the current UK legislation, you can click here for a list of the current UK legislation and the corresponding EU legislation.

If you want to speak directly to an expert in obtaining the UKCA marking, please contact us immediately.

The post 8 Tips for Navigating Post-Brexit Product Entry into the United Kingdom appeared first on GVIRL.