The new facility includes a loaded gearbox efficiency test rig. Credit: Drive System Design Inc.

UK-based Drive System Design’s (DSD) North American subsidiary has opened a new facility in Michigan, US, to design, test and develop various sub-systems used in the aerospace industry.

A loaded gearbox efficiency test rig will be initially delivered to the facility, eventually adding three pieces of gearbox test equipment by the end of the year.

The current rig is fully operational and can be used in several applications, including layshaft and planetary gearboxes for auxiliary power units (APU) and landing gear applications.

“The facility will be equipped with extensive customer accessibility to enable DSD to work with its clients throughout design, development and validation programmes.”

DSD president Jon Brentnall said: “As aircraft become more complex, so does the testing required to validate it, as a result we have seen an increase in demand for specialist testing expertise.

“Our parent company has developed what we believe is Europe’s most advanced, commercially available development centre for gearbox efficiency, with many test systems designed in-house to ensure that areas that have not previously received sufficient attention can now be investigated.

“It is our intention to build similar test capability tailored to the North American market.”

The newly opened facility will be developed throughout the year. It will feature a test stand for hydraulic valve body development and a dynamic tilt rig that offers improved lubrication flow analysis capability.

Brentnall further added: “We are delighted to be offering this opportunity for the automotive industry in North America, but also for aspiring engineers looking for their next challenge; the initial expansion has already generated nine engineering vacancies.”

The facility will be equipped with extensive customer accessibility to enable DSD to work with its clients throughout design, development and validation programmes.