Approval includes various tests on all or part of the vehicle. In addition to this process, LMI conducts tests on critical vehicle parts to verify their conditions of use, and to define factual limits of use.
Suspension triangle
For example, the suspension wishbone was subjected to a test in which it was progressively stressed until it far exceeded the usual load when this part is mounted on the vehicle.
Having found no visual degradation, the triangle was then subjected to dye penetrant inspection. This involves spraying the part with a colored liquid, then applying a developer to highlight any cracks or fissures. No defects were found!
Chassis
The chassis is the backbone that supports all the vehicle's equipment. Its sturdiness is essential to guarantee the vehicle's long life in complete safety.
To verify its robustness, a dynamic ageing test is carried out on a torsion bench. On this bench, the equivalent of 3 vehicle wheels are fixed and the 4th is subjected to vertical movements using a power cylinder to twist the chassis. This cycle is repeated automatically for hours on end, to check for any signs of breakage.
Vehicle enhancement
These tests demonstrate the vehicle's ability to reach the limits of the N1 category (and even beyond). In concrete terms, the vehicle's GVW rises from 3t2 to the regulatory limit of 3t5, a gain of 300 kg in payload.
The chassis cab now offers a payload ranging from 1t3 to 1t8 for a wide range of professional uses.
