6-Component Wheel Force Transducer

precise • robust • quick setup

Weatherproof Wheel Force Transducer for vehicle dynamics testing

Whether vehicle dynamics tests, brake tests or determination of load spectra - the new 6-component Wheel Force Transducer WFT-Cx measures all forces and torques acting on the vehicle with high precision. The robust housing reliably protects against dirt, water and snow and allows applications in any weather.

The WFT-C^x at a glance :

Acquires forces and torques in the X-, Y-, Z-directions on the rotating wheel
Data output referred to vehicle coordinate system with online display
Maximum immunity to interference and measurement accuracy through on-site digitization and online processing of raw data
UPS to prevent issues during engine cranking
Precise temperature compensation
Robust WFT sensor housing with long service life
Safety feature: breakage protection through interlocking mechanical structure
Versatile range of applications during winter tests, brake tests and much more

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Data Sheets & Manuals

New: Extra lighter WFT-C^xs variant for small cars

Product Catalog

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Seven Good Reasons Why the WFT-Cx Is the Right Choice

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From compact cars to SUVs and light trucks

The 6-component Wheel Force Transducer WFT-Cx can be used on small cars with a rim diameter from 13 inches up to SUVs and small trucks with a hub diameter of up to 5.5 inches. In addition to its waterproof construction, it features shock resistance up to 100 g, thus allowing for the first time testing over "speed bumps". The cooling-optimized design combined with excellent heat conduction from the aluminum WFT sensor housing avoids excessive heat input, even in the case of full braking. For example, over 20 braking tests (acceleration to 150 km/h followed by full braking) were carried out with the WFT: the temperature of the WFT sensor housing did not exceed the 50° C limit. The entire signal processing is designed for temperature between -40° C to + 105° C. All of this results in a much broader application spectrum, which now also includes braking, comfort and tire testing with using the same WFT configuration.

Acquire load collective data from prototypes

In the development of new vehicles, there are often no suitable load collective data for determining the real stress on the components during operation. These must be determined by means of test drives. The WFT from imc can be used for wheel sizes from 13" and is proven by its robust, waterproof design, even during multi-day testing. The measured values are precisely temperature-compensated by means of thermosensors distributed throughout the wheel.

Fatigue testing on the test stand

component lifetime testing on the test stand with WFT

A WFT for component lifetime testing on the test stand must be durable. Especially for these applications, imc offers WFT sensor housings made of titanium or steel. If a rotating measurement is carried out on a chassis dyno or on a road test, the wired signal transmission to the control unit is simply replaced by a stator with telemetric transmission. Since all of the WFT sensor housing types have the same shadow mask, existing adapters can be used for all types.

Function trials during winter

Negative temperatures, melting water, ice and snow are a challenge for every measurement system. The WFTs imc have a wide temperature range: WFT-C^x -40° C ... +105° C. In addition, their waterproof design allows test drives to be conducted in any weather condition – even on ice, snow or meltwater. Furthermore, thanks to its robust design and impact resistance of up to 100 g, testing over rough terrain is no longer an obstacle.

Extra lighter WFT-C^xs variant

The proven 6-component WFT-C^x from imc is now also available for small cars with rims from 13 inches in size. Especially in small cars, where the weight often plays a crucial role, this task can now be met by the considerably lighter WFT-C^xs variant - and with almost the same strength. It simplifies the testing and measuring of load profiles, driving dynamics or braking in all applications where weight plays a decisive role.

Suitable for many different vehicle types

With the adapter system from imc, WFTs can be mounted with minimum effort on different vehicle types. The WFT sensor housing, telemetry module and adapter can be combined as desired. This covers a wide range of wheel sizes and vehicles. A quick system set-up and convenient software functions, such as zero calibration, allow the system to be test-ready within a very short time.

Hub adapter:
The hub adapter connects the WFT to the vehicle. It can be used for different types of vehicles, as long as the bolt circle and the wheel offset are the same. With just a few hub adapters, an entire vehicle fleet can be covered.
Rim adapter:
As with a conventional rim, the rim adapter serves as a mount for the tire. The rim adapter is not directly specific to the vehicle, but depends on the tire. This allows it to be used on different vehicles with the same tire size.
WFT sensor housing:
The WFT sensor housing connects the hub adapter and the rim adapter to each other. These three components together form the vehicle-specific wheel. Since the calibration factors are permanently stored in the sensor, you can recombine adapters and sensor housings at any time without having to calibrate the wheel again. Thus, based on a modular design, a WFT-C^x Wheel Force Transducer can be adapted to the vehicle in a time-saving, space-saving and cost-effective manner.

Simple installation

The installation of a WFT-C^x is almost as easy as a wheel change - four WFTs can be mounted in one hour. Thanks to an uncomplicated system set-up and convenient software functions, such as the zero calibration, the system can be test-ready within a very short time.

Integrated intelligence

Thanks to digital signal processing, the 6-component WFT-C^x has considerably less strain gauges than comparable systems. Instead of a complex and fault-prone analog interconnection of strain gauge signals, digital online processing is applied with 24-bit DSP resolution. The resulting higher dynamics of measurement signals allow for tests of comfort performance as well as measurements over rough terrain.

Technical data

	WFT-C^x			WFT-C^xs
Material	Aluminum	Titanium	Steel PH17-4	Aluminium
Measurement principle	Temperature compensated strain gauge application
Measurement ranges: Forces	Fx, Fz = ±45 kN	Fx, Fz = ±60 kN	Fx, Fz = ±60 kN	Fx, Fz = ±25 kN
	Fy = ±25 kN	Fy = ±30 kN	Fy = ±30 kN	Fy = ±20 kN
Measurement ranges: Torques	Mx, My, Mz = ±8,75 kNm	Mx, My, Mz = ±10 kNm	Mx, My, Mz = ±10 kNm	Mx, My, Mz = ±6 kNm
Protection class	IP66, IP67
Sampling rate per channel	up to 5 kHz
Angular resolution with 5000 increments	0.072°
Accuracy	<0.2% FS
Hysteresis	<0.2% FS
Crosstalk	<0.2% FS
Low pass filter	6-pol Butterworth filter (cut-off frequency 1200 Hz)
Weight w/o adapter (appx.)	7.5 kg	10.5 kg	17.5 kg	5,9 kg
Rim diameter	min. 14" (356 mm), 13" by request
Hub diameter with adapter	max. 5.5"
Operating temperature	-40° C to +105° C
Mechanical load	Stress analysis according to BMW QV 36026
Shock proof	max. 100 g
RPM	max. 2300 rpm (ca. 278 km/h)
Safety	Mechanical breakage protection
Dimension: outer diameter (w/o adapter)	317.5 mm
Dimension: inner diameter (w/o adapter)	203 mm
Dimension: height	76 mm			61,5 mm
Temperature drift	0.005% / °C
Mounting bolts	32
Adaption	Customer-specific adaption for any vehicle possible

Accessories

WFT interface

The WFT-2-Modul for the imc CRONOSflex is used for the supply and data acquisition of WFT wheel force transducers. It is simply clicked on an imc CRONOSflex system and is automatically synchronized with all other connected sensors, field buses, GPS systems, etc.

Telemetry unit for stationary applications

This telemetry unit is used to transmit measured data from a fixed 6-component WFT-C^x (for example, on a test stand) to an external connection unit.

Telemetry unit for rotating applications

This telemetry unit is used to transmit measured data from a rotating 6-component WFT-C^x to an external stator unit.

Carbon torque arm

The torque arm (stator holding device) is made from carbon and has three adjustable suction cups serving to lock the rotating telemetry unit.

About imc Test & Measurement

Productive testing is essential for the success of our customers—hence, our driving force. Since 1988 we have been committed to support industrial innovations with optimal measurement solutions. We are manufacturing our productive test and measurement systems at our headquarters in Berlin, Germany, operating worldwide in Europe, the US and Asia.

imc Test & Measurement is part of Axiometrix Solutions, a leading test solutions provider comprised of globally recognized measurement brands.

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