A&D Technology

06/03/2026

: Horsepower (hp)

Horsepower is a measure of power—how quickly work is done. In vehicles, it describes how fast an engine or motor can deliver energy to move a load, accelerate a vehicle, or sustain speed.

Originally defined by James Watt, 1 horsepower = 550 lb‑ft per second, or 746 watts. While the origin is historical, horsepower remains a practical way to compare power output across propulsion technologies.

Typical Horsepower Ranges (approximate):
- Passenger cars: 100–300 HP
- Performance & luxury vehicles: 300–700+ HP
- Light trucks & SUVs: 250–450 HP
- Heavy‑duty diesel engines: 400–700+ HP
- Electric motors (road vehicles): 150–600+ HP equivalent
- Off‑highway, marine, rail, and aerospace systems: ranges vary widely based on duty cycle and application

How Horsepower is Calculated:
Horsepower is derived from torque and rotational speed:
- HP = (Torque × RPM) / 5252
- Torque is the twisting force (lb‑ft)
- RPM is rotational speed
- 5252 is a constant that aligns the units

This relationship is why dyno testing always measures torque first—horsepower is calculated.

How Horsepower is Used in Engineering & Testing:
- Performance validation: Confirms engines, motors, and powertrains meet design targets
- Comparison metric: Enables benchmarking across ICE, hybrid, and electric platforms
- Calibration & optimization: Helps engineers tune for efficiency, durability, and drivability
- Regulatory & compliance testing: Supports emissions, efficiency, and certification programs
- System modeling & simulation: Feeds accurate power data into virtual development workflows

Learn more educational terms in A&D's Vehicle Engineering Glossary: https://hubs.ly/Q04jyYQB0

06/02/2026

Ford Motor Company just announced a major strategic pivot, transforming its idle Glendale, Kentucky EV battery facility into a utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) production site under its new subsidiary, Ford Energy. With a massive 5-year agreement to supply EDF Power Solutions, this move highlights how quickly manufacturing infrastructure is adapting to meet skyrocketing grid storage demands.

As the industry shifts gears, flexibility in testing infrastructure is everything. Whether you are validating next-generation electric vehicles, optimizing hybrid powertrains, or testing the massive battery cells powering the grid, A&D Technology has you covered.

Our open, integrated testing solutions are flexibly designed to scale with your needs—supporting everything from full-vehicle powertrain development to specialized battery and cell-level validation. No matter how the market evolves, we’re here to ensure your testing is precise, efficient, and ready for what's next.

👉 Read more about Ford's transition here: How is Ford Repurposing an Idle EV Battery Facility?

Ford transforms idle EV battery facility into utility-scale energy storage production site, securing major supply deal with EDF as automotive sector pivots

06/01/2026

June is a time to recognize that innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are embraced.

Across mobility R&D—from automotive and aerospace to energy and powertrain development—progress has been shaped by individuals who challenged convention and expanded what’s possible.

At A&D Technology, we’re proud to support an inclusive culture where everyone can bring their full, authentic selves to engineering the future. That commitment also extends to our customers—working alongside a diverse range of engineers, organizations, and industries to solve complex testing and development challenges.

05/29/2026

Modern vehicles are no longer purely mechanical systems—they are distributed computing platforms on wheels. At the heart of this transformation are Electronic Control Units (ECUs). A single vehicle can contain dozens to well over 100 ECUs, each responsible for monitoring sensors, executing control logic, and commanding actuators in real time.

Understanding what ECUs are, what each one does, and how they are developed and validated is critical for engineers working in automotive, commercial vehicle, off‑highway, aerospace, and electrified mobility programs. In this blog guide, we’ll explain common ECU acronyms, their functions, and how A&D Technology’s simulation and test platforms support ECU development from concept to production.

https://hubs.ly/Q04h89KQ0

05/28/2026

What ties all of A&D together?
Precision measurement testing.

Across A&D Weighing, A&D Medical, A&D Inspection, and A&D Technology, our purpose is the same: delivering accurate, reliable measurements that keep companies efficient and people safe.

Whether it’s a blood pressure monitor detecting hypertension, a scale ensuring the correct dose of medication, an X-ray system identifying foreign material in food, or a fully integrated test cell validating vehicle performance, A&D measurement solutions help prevent real-world risk before it reaches the customer.

From healthcare and manufacturing to mobility and safety-critical testing, precision isn’t just what we do—it’s how we protect quality, performance, and trust.
https://hubs.ly/Q04g-GfH0

05/27/2026

: UTM (Universal Testing Machine)

A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is a foundational tool in materials testing, designed to evaluate mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compression, flexural behavior, shear, and elongation. UTMs apply controlled forces to a specimen while precisely measuring load, displacement, and strain—helping engineers validate material performance against industry and OEM specifications.

At A&D Technology, we offer a wide variety of UTMs and accessories to support diverse material testing specifications across automotive, aerospace, energy, and advanced mobility applications. From fixtures and grips to extensometers and integrated data acquisition, our UTM solutions are built to deliver repeatable, high‑confidence results and integrate seamlessly into your broader test and validation workflows.

🔗 Explore A&D Technology’s Universal Material Test Instruments:
https://hubs.ly/Q04g-2C80

📘 Want to build your testing vocabulary? Learn more vehicle engineering terms in our glossary:
https://hubs.ly/Q04g-gJ90

05/26/2026

Automotive test engineers often turn to Python to rapidly script automation sequences, decode CAN logs, and run predictive maintenance models. It’s open, flexible, and repeatable.

Check out our popular blog post, "What Is Python Used for in Automotive Engineering?" https://hubs.ly/Q04g-3S80

Take it a step further with iTest 4.6. Our latest software release unlocks powerful new Python updates designed to give you deeper insight and greater flexibility. From real-time Python calculations on Xenomai to a lean, Python-driven "Headless" mode, we are making it easier than ever to integrate open-source agility with industry-standard testbeds.

Dive into the full iTest 4.6 release features here to supercharge your next test cycle.

Python Coding for Automotive Engineering: What It Is and How It’s Used Python isn’t just for web development or data science—it’s become a powerful tool in automotive engineering too. With its clean syntax, robust libraries, and flexibility, Python enables engineers to automate testing, a**l...

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their dedication, courage, and commitment protect the freedoms we rely on every day.

At A&D Technology, we’re especially mindful of how those values—precision, discipline, and service—also resonate in our work and the work of our customers. From engineers to testing professionals, the pursuit of excellence and reliability in automotive testing helps ensure vehicles are safe, dependable, and ready for the road ahead.

In observance of Memorial Day, our offices will be closed as we take time to reflect and pay tribute.

We wish everyone a safe and meaningful holiday as we remember those who gave everything.

05/22/2026

From high-speed vehicle testing to the precision of a commercial kitchen, the iTest software platform was built for one thing: total flexibility.

We’ve taken that core adaptability and worked side-by-side with our colleagues at A&D Weighing to develop a specialized version—iTest Formula Control (FC).

By combining A&D Technology’s software engineering with A&D Weighing’s world-class instrumentation, we’ve created the ultimate batching and recipe management solution. Whether you are managing complex chemical ratios or artisan doughs, iTest.FC provides:

- Precision Workflows: Guided step-by-step weighing to eliminate operator error.
- Real-Time Adaptability: Automatic recalculation of batches if an ingredient is over-poured.
- Full Traceability: Robust audit trails and lot tracking for GMP and FDA-regulated environments.

Perfect for:
🍞 Commercial Bakeries looking for consistency in every loaf.
💊 Nutraceutical Facilities requiring strict adherence to formulas.
💄 Cosmetic Labs where precision is the key to quality.

Learn more about the launch here: iTest Formula Control: https://hubs.ly/Q04gQLQ90

05/21/2026

🚨 : iTest 4.6 is here!
Our latest iTest release introduces powerful new capabilities designed to elevate your testing workflow and streamline development. From AI-powered vision detection to enhanced AutomationPanel functionality and expanded Python support, iTest 4.6 is packed with updates you won’t want to miss.

Highlights include:
✅ AI Vision driver for real-time instrument cluster gauge needle and lamp detection
✅ New Solution Management tools for improved version control
✅ Python 3.14 upgrade + enhanced scripting capabilities
✅ Expanded AutomationPanel features and usability improvements
✅ French language support for global teams

Get the full breakdown of everything new in iTest 4.6 by checking out the presentation here:
👉 https://hubs.ly/Q04gQFn-0

Contact us to get your license key to unlock this version of iTest.