Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd is an engineering research, development and consultancy company with offices located throughout Australia and South-East Asia. With nearly 30 years experience, Vipac provides innovative, cost-effective and confidential solutions to complex problems posed by motor vehicle assemblers and manufacturers, component suppliers and motor vehicle importers.

All testing is supported by extensive field instrumentation and test laboratories, such as a low-speed wind tunnel, various climatic chambers and solar simulators as well as a vehicle emissions laboratory. Dry weather proving grounds with variable surfaces, big distances and exposure to different weather conditions are available throughout Australia all year round. Real life conditions provided in the harsh environment are ideal for hot test programs whilst contra-seasonal to Europe and away from the scrutiny of media.

NVH Design
(Noise Vibration Harshness)
Industry standard software methods like Finite Element Analysis and Statistical Energy Analysis are used for NVH investigations. With AutoSEA, an award winning software program designed by Vibro-Acoustic Sciences, vibration and noise reduction in design has been made effective and efficient. AutoSEA, a fully graphical, object-oriented implementation of Statistical Energy Analysis, enables Vipac’s engineers to integrate noise and vibration predictions into the design process whilst working closely with existing noise and vibration test processes.

Emissions Testing
Vipac conducts special exhaust gas emissions tests to ensure that vehicle engines are optimally adjusted to emit the lowest possible pollutant levels – for the benefit of the environment, the customer and the manufacturer. Specially qualified engineers and technicians are the guarantee of correct performance of these exhaust gas tests. All instrumentation and analysers used in these tests comply with EEC (EURO 2, EURO 3, EURO 4 – both petrol and diesel) and US standards: infrared for carbon monoxide (CO), flame ionisation for total hydrocarbons (HC), chemiluminescence for nitrogen oxides (NOx and NO2) and exhaust particle measurements. Microtrol 4, a state-of-the- art technology for particulate measuring and sampling, uses a dilution tunnel for transient measurements of diesel exhausts in accordance with the latest standards. Fuel economy mapping is being conducted by Vipac for both government and private sectors.

Homologation Testing
Vipac’s staff are experienced in all facets of vehicle homologation and certification programs to ECE, EEC, FMVSS, JIS and ADR standards. Test facilities are available for side impact testing (destructive and non destructive), body block testing, brake testing, windscreen wiper and washer testing, windscreen demisting as well as seat and seat anchorage testing. After the completion of any tests, Vipac’s staff will submit the required documentation to the relevant authorities to facilitate a quick turn-around of the homologation process.

Environmental Testing of Components, Assembly & Subassembly
Vipac offers a variety of test facilities for component testing which include thermal testing, endurance and reliability testing, hot tests, shaker and bounce tests, high-intensity acoustic tests, squeak and rattle testing, explosive de-compression tests and tests for rain and moisture leakage, salt fog as well as sand and dust penetration. Test facilities encompass various environmental chambers that provide sub-zero temperatures, high heat and humidity conditions and solar exposure replication.

Vipac’s shaker testing facilities include hydraulic and electrodynamic shakers for tests to 27kN capacity with sine vibration, random vibration and limited shock capability. Triaxial shaking and testing under controlled environmental conditions are also available. All testing can be supported by analytical services such as dynamic audits, stress analysis, isolation design, FEM, modal analysis, fatigue analysis and structural models. Limited static test capability (to 150kN) is also available.

Evaluation and Analysis
The pace of technological change in today’s world requires many companies to engage specialist partners to overcome complex technical issues accurately, quickly and cost efficiently. Vipac can assist all sizes of companies as a partner in technological design, problem solving, analysis and evaluation in many areas.

Research & Development Programs
Applied research and technology transfer programs in the field of mechanical technology are often eligible for substantial financial assistance through government programs such as ACIS and IR&D. Vipac is an Approved Research Organisation (ARO 0125) and works with many component manufacturers and OEMs to solve existing problems and develop new methods.

Out-Sourcing Services
As companies tend to focus more and more on core business activities, technical design development and testing tasks are being out-sourced. Vipac, with a proven track record, highly qualified staff, extensive test laboratories and CAE “virtual design offices”, is ideally placed to take on these tasks.