Ford's new system takes wind tunnel testing on tour - https://t.co/K020WdSF5i pic.twitter.com/zvVNKaiyqD
— Gizmag (@gizmag) May 9, 2016
Ford is working to refine its vehicles' cabin acoustics by making wind tunnel testing faster and easier than ever before. Rather than relying strictly on the $50 million aerodynamics laboratories where Ford normally does testing for all of its vehicles, the automaker has MacGyvered a portable wind tunnel out of a pair of 53-foot shipping crates.
Now aeroacoustic testing can be done in the field, right at the assembly plant, so any refinements that need to be made can be discussed and worked out without any delay. Prior to the portable module, every assembly plant in North America had to ship its vehicles cross-country to a wind tunnel -- a process taking weeks.
"This project was born from a desire to be the best when it comes to controlling and limiting the cabin noise customers are so sensitive to, and our new mobile wind tunnel saves our engineers time and increases productivity," said Bill Gulker, wind noise supervisor at Ford Motor Company. "It's a fine example of the innovation mindset we're trying to incorporate into everything we do."
Look for whisper-quiet new Ford vehicles in Duluth here at Gwinnett Place Ford.