Nissan engineers are using the Xenon Weather-Ometer (XWO) testing tool to test paint, interior materials and plastics for durability and quality, whatever the weather.
The team at Nissan’s engineering center near Detroit, Michigan, uses the XWO to perform sunlight UV exposure tests. In addition to evaluating material durability in different climate conditions, the XWO can test 100 different colored samples at once, reducing excess waste and saving time.
To evaluate the effects of solar energy on paint and other materials, a 4,000W Xenon bulb bakes nearly 100 samples at the same wavelengths as the sun. Engineers observe the material samples through a series of cycles to investigate changes and ensure durability and quality.
Nissan uses test environments such as the XWO accelerated weather chamber to replicate conditions that occur in a natural environment, inside the lab. These test cells expose various types of material samples to a wide range of conditions that a vehicle may face throughout its lifespan.
“In addition to rigorous real-world tests, this tool enables us to create harsh environments,” said Doug Prytula, technician, body and chassis testing, Nissan North America. “It is one more step we are taking to ensure Nissan’s quality standards are second-to-none.”