Prodrive Technologies future‑proofs innovation

At Prodrive Technologies innovation is at the core. They are continuously committed to developing sustainable and advanced solutions that push the boundaries of technology. Thanks to their multidisciplinary approach, they can respond quickly to the diverse needs of their clients, making them a trusted partner for companies striving for the highest quality standards.

The collaboration between Prodrive Technologies and HBK partner ENMO Sound and Vibration Technology dates back to 2011, when the first LDS V875 shaker with an LPT slip table was delivered. This shaker played a central role in Prodrive Technologies’ vibration testing for many years, until the company was struck by a devastating fire in 2018. The blaze completely destroyed the building and caused millions of euros in damages, including the loss of the original shaker.

Although the fire was a major setback, it also created an opportunity for renewal. Following the reconstruction of the facilities, Prodrive Technologies had the chance to design and equip a completely new test lab, tailored to the needs of their products and future vision. Around 2018/2019, Coen Timmermans took on the responsibility of selecting the right new shaker solutions. This led to the acquisition of an LDS V8 and later an LDS V8900 shaker. Prodrive Technologies took a strategic approach: a thorough market consultation was conducted to ensure the selected shaker would best fit the broad product portfolio and anticipated future applications. Key criteria included the ability to test 90 – 95% of all products, both current and future, with the new shaker, as well as ensuring the solution was user-friendly for engineers in the lab.

Thanks to this combination, the team now has an advanced, future-proof testing environment in which they can verify and optimise their products under realistic conditions.

For their vibration tests, they have relied on HBK accelerometers for many years. These sensors are renowned for their high quality, robustness, and reliability. In particular, the sensitivity of HBK sensors makes them ideally suited to meet the precision requirements that Prodrive Technologies demands for their measurements. The long-lasting durability of these sensors, which have operated flawlessly for years, continually reinforces why Prodrive Technologies chooses HBK.

This combination of sensitive sensors provides a solid foundation for accurate and reproducible test results within the engineering process. 

In addition to the facilities specifically for shock and vibration testing, Prodrive Technologies’ general R&D laboratory in Eindhoven is also equipped with a LAN-XI data acquisition system. This system is widely used across the entire R&D department and supports both acoustic measurements and vibration tests conducted during product development.

The decision to invest in LAN-XI was a logical step in further expanding their measurement capabilities, with quality always as the top priority. Within the advanced development projects at Prodrive Technologies, acoustic or vibration-related challenges frequently arise. With LAN-XI, the team now has greater capability and flexibility to analyse these issues in depth, contributing to improved product development and a higher level of quality in the final product.

Prodrive Technologies has transformed a major setback into an opportunity for growth. With their new in-house test lab – equipped with LDS shakers, HBK sensors, and LAN-XI systems – the team can test more products, faster and with greater precision. This future-proof setup accelerates development, ensures quality, and empowers engineers to innovate with confidence. From loss to progress, Prodrive is fully prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.