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Multi-Axis · Up to 100 kN · Radial · Lateral · Torsional

Tyre Stiffness Testing Machine

Name: Tyre Stiffness Testing Machine
Brand: IMDURA
Availability: InStock

Complete multi-axis tyre spring rate characterisation — radial, lateral, longitudinal, and torsional stiffness measurement for passenger car, light truck, and commercial vehicle tyres.

Applicable Standards

SAE J670Vehicle dynamics terminology — tyre force/moment conventions and coordinate systems
ISO 8855Road vehicles — vehicle dynamics and road-holding ability vocabulary

Multi-Axis Stiffness Tester

Overview

Radial, Lateral, Longitudinal & Torsional Spring Rate Characterisation

Tyre stiffness directly governs ride comfort, handling response, and vehicle stability. The radial (vertical) spring rate determines how the tyre absorbs road impacts, while lateral stiffness controls cornering grip and yaw response.

The machine applies controlled loads through a rigid, non-deflecting flat plate while high-accuracy LVDT displacement sensors and multi-axis load cells record the complete force-deflection curve — including loading, unloading, and hysteresis.

Automated recipe-based test sequencing cycles through multiple inflation pressures, load levels, and circumferential positions — generating publication-ready spring rate data and simulation-compatible exports for vehicle dynamics modelling. Known internationally as a tire stiffness tester or tire spring rate machine, these systems serve automotive R&D labs and tyre manufacturers worldwide.

✓Radial, lateral, longitudinal & torsional axes
✓Servo-hydraulic closed-loop control
✓LVDT displacement sensors (micron-level accuracy)
✓Multi-axis strain gauge load cells
✓Loading + unloading hysteresis capture
✓Recipe-based automated multi-condition tests
✓Data export: CSV, Excel for FEA / simulation

What Is Measured

The “Big Four” Stiffness Coefficients

This rig is built to extract the four stiffness coefficients that define a tyre's structural and dynamic behaviour.

K_z

N/mm

Vertical Stiffness

Radial load applied against flat plate

Determines how the tyre absorbs bumps and road irregularities. Directly influences the vehicle's natural frequency and ride comfort.

K_y

N/mm

Lateral Stiffness

Platen shifted sideways under vertical load

The primary indicator of steering feel and cornering response. Governs yaw gain and lateral force build-up during lane changes.

K_x

N/mm

Longitudinal Stiffness

Fore-aft force applied at contact patch

Dictates how much the tyre winds up during heavy braking or acceleration. Critical input for anti-lock braking and traction control system tuning.

K_θ

Nm/deg

Torsional / Aligning Stiffness

Tyre twisted about vertical (Z) axis

The resistance to twisting around the tyre's vertical axis. Essential for power steering system calibration and self-aligning torque modelling.

Specifications

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Tyre Size Range
Tyre Outer Diameter	450 – 1,600 mm
Section Width	Up to 500 mm
Rim Diameter Range	12" – 24.5"
Loading System
Max Radial (Vertical) Load	Up to 100 kN
Max Lateral Load	Up to 30 kN
Max Longitudinal Load	Up to 30 kN
Loading Rate (Quasi-Static)	1 – 50 mm/min
Actuation	Servo-Hydraulic
Measurement
Load Accuracy	±0.5% of reading
Displacement Accuracy	±0.5% of reading
Displacement Sensor	LVDT
Load Cell	Multi-Axis Strain Gauge
Data Acquisition
Channels	Multi-channel (force, displacement, pressure)
Resolution	16-bit
Software	PC-based with automated stiffness calculation
Data Export	CSV / Excel for FEA & vehicle dynamics tools

Machine

Power: 415V AC, 3-Phase
Measuring Table: Rigid flat plate, multi-axis translation
Rim Adapters: Interchangeable for full rim range
OS: Windows

What Is Measured

Radial: Vertical spring rate (N/mm)
Lateral: Side-to-side spring rate (N/mm)
Longitudinal: Fore-aft spring rate (N/mm)
Torsional: Rotational stiffness (Nm/deg)
Hysteresis: Energy dissipation per cycle

Safety Features

Over-load protection with auto cutoff
Emergency stop button
Safety guarding / enclosure
Tyre burst containment
Motor over-temperature monitoring

Capabilities

Key Features

Multi-Axis Stiffness Characterisation

Measures radial (vertical), lateral, longitudinal, and torsional spring rates in a single setup — providing the complete stiffness matrix for vehicle dynamics modelling.

Servo-Hydraulic Closed-Loop Control

Precision servo-hydraulic actuation with closed-loop force and displacement feedback ensures accurate, repeatable load application across the full test range.

Flat-Plate Loading System

Rigid, non-deflecting measuring table with multi-axis translation — X (longitudinal), Y (lateral), and Z-axis rotation for torsional stiffness measurement.

Hysteresis & Energy Loss Measurement

Full loading-unloading cycle capture reveals hysteresis loops — quantifying energy dissipation and viscoelastic behaviour at different pressures and loads.

Automated Multi-Condition Testing

Recipe-based test sequencing automatically cycles through multiple inflation pressures, load levels, and circumferential positions without operator intervention.

Vehicle Dynamics Data Export

Export spring rate data in formats compatible with vehicle dynamics simulation tools — enabling direct parameter input for ride, handling, and NVH models.

Product Range