Torotrak moved into a purpose built building in the summer of 1998, the key facilities are described below:
Conference room
This spacious meeting room is equipped with state of the art technology enabling video conferences with Torotrak’s customers all around the world.
Control room
The workshop space is equipped with a total of 20 test rigs which collect a vast quantity of data on the transmission. The rigs are monitored by the technicians in two central control rooms. The data is then analysed by the team of research and development engineers. Details of some of the individual test rigs are given below.
Chassis dynamometer
A rolling road test area where vehicles can be calibrated and tested for durability under different driving conditions. The facility has the capacity for two vehicles to be tested at the same time. Attached to the rig are the latest emissions analysing equipment. The emission kit can also be used with the engine dynamometer rig that enables baseline testing of engines.
Traction rig
This is a versatile traction machine capable of mapping fundamental fluid performance across the transmission operating envelope. The design for this rig is unique to Torotrak and has been patented. Oil companies from around the world send their latest traction fluids to be tested on this equipment.
Tilt rig
This rig is used at various gradients for determining static and dynamic oil levels. In static mode this rig can also be used as a light load rig. It can be seen here with a Series 3 IVT that has had perspex windows fitted so the flow of fluid can be seen at all times.
Variator rigs
The rig shown here is one of the 7 test rigs used for durability, traction and performance testing on the variator, the central component of the Torotrak IVT.
Full Load Rig
This rig was specifically designed by Torotrak and has the capability to test Infinitely Variable Transmissions of any size. It has a maximum input speed of 8000 rpm and maximum input torque of 1000 Nm.
Vehicle installation
There are 5 vehicle lifts which are used to install transmissions in vehicles and make repairs where required. The area is also equipped with exhaust extraction systems so the vehicles can be started as part of the commissioning process.
