Close Menu
Automotive Testing Technology International
  • News
    • A-H
      • ADAS & CAVs
      • Aerodynamics
      • Appointments, Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Automotive Testing Expo
      • Batteries & Powertrain Testing
      • Component Testing
      • Safety and crash testing
      • Dynamometers
      • EMC & Electronics Testing
      • Emissions & Fuel Consumption
      • Facilities
      • Full-vehicle Testing
    • I-Z
      • Interiors & Infotainment Testing
      • Measurement Tools, Test Systems & Equipment
      • Motorsport
      • NVH & Acoustics
      • Proving Grounds
      • R&D
      • Sensors & Transducers
      • CAE, Simulation & Modeling
      • Software Engineering & SDVs
      • Tire Testing
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • November 2024
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Crash Test Technology – 2023
    • Automotive Testing Technology
    • Subscribe to Automotive Testing
    • Crash Test Technology
    • Subscribe to Crash Test Technology
  • Opinion
  • Awards
    • About
    • What’s new and key dates
    • Eligibility and nomination
    • Get in touch
    • Judges
    • Winner interviews
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Proving Grounds
  • Events
LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter)
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn
Subscribe
Automotive Testing Technology International
  • News
      • ADAS & CAVs
      • Aerodynamics
      • Appointments, Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions
      • Automotive Testing Expo
      • Batteries & Powertrain Testing
      • Component Testing
      • Safety and crash testing
      • Dynamometers
      • EMC & Electronics Testing
      • Emissions & Fuel Consumption
      • Facilities
      • Full-vehicle Testing
      • Interiors & Infotainment Testing
      • Measurement Tools, Test Systems & Equipment
      • Motorsport
      • NVH & Acoustics
      • Proving Grounds
      • R&D
      • Sensors & Transducers
      • CAE, Simulation & Modeling
      • Software Engineering & SDVs
      • Tire Testing
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. November 2024
    3. Crash Test Technology – 2024
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. Automotive Testing Technology
    7. Subscribe to Automotive Testing
    8. Crash Test Technology
    9. Subscribe to Crash Test Technology
    Featured
    April 9, 2025

    In this Issue – March 2025

    Automotive Testing Technology By Rachel Evans
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    April 9, 2025

    In this Issue – November 2024

    November 26, 2024

    In this Issue – 2024

    September 30, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Awards
    • About
    • What’s new and key dates
    • Eligibility and nomination
    • Get in touch
    • Judges
    • Winner interviews
    • ATTI Awards Forum
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Proving Grounds
  • Events
LinkedIn
Subscribe
Automotive Testing Technology International
Component Testing

Pailton Engineering to develop military-grade drag link

Rachel EvansBy Rachel EvansApril 12, 20182 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

UK-based Pailton Engineering has won a tender to develop a military-grade drag link assembly for a military vehicle OEM.

The OEM was looking for a steering specialist to design and create a small, lightweight drag link assembly that would allow its vehicle to remain light and nimble, but would also have the strength to handle the maximum load values the vehicle could face during its extreme application.

“The vehicle in question was a lightweight personnel carrier, with speed being the key feature of its design,” said Eric Sonahee, design and development engineer at Pailton Engineering. “Designed to have a top speed of 70mph (113km/h), it has the potential to be one of the most agile and nimble military vehicles in the industry.

“This is why every gram of weight counted. So the drag link needed to be able to withstand maximum usage loads in one small, light and compact part. This was no easy task, especially considering that this vehicle could be used all over the world and, therefore, needed to be tested against temperatures as low as -40°C.”

Pailton’s team of designers analyzed the loading information and selected the right joints by carrying out theoretical calculations on all aspects of the assembly. However, this standard way of working wasn’t sufficient for such a non-standard request.

“As the customer wanted such a small, light joint, just carrying out a theoretical calculation wasn’t enough,” said Sonahee. “So we also undertook a variety of physical testing to find a small enough part to fit the brief – which was incredibly challenging. We then took a different path to get around this problem, keeping the same geometry of the drag link, but changing the material to a lightweight, yet strong, alternative.”

To generate detailed findings, Pailton carried out testing of this non-standard drag link throughout the design process to very accurate loads. This was especially important as the OEM wanted to put its vehicles straight into an intensive test program, and was expecting the components to perform to the highest level.

The OEM had multiple test vehicles set up at its site to test different parts from a range of potential suppliers. These vehicles were intensively trialed on an assault course, simulating driving thousands of miles over the duration of a week. Pailton Engineering subsequently won the contract to produce the drag link.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticlerFpro launches new autonomous vehicle simulation environment
Next Article Proving ground expansion
Rachel Evans

Rachel's career in journalism has seen her write for various titles at UKi Media & Events within automotive, tire and marine. Currently editor of ATTI, her favourite aspect of the job is interviewing industry experts, including researchers, scientists, engineers and technicians, and learning more about the groundbreaking technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of transportation.

Related Posts

Appointments, Partnerships, Investments & Acquisitions

Hyundai opens battery and electrification research center at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

April 25, 20252 Mins Read
Features

ASAM shares updates on its positioning for SDV, AI and open-source at Technical Seminar

April 14, 20259 Mins Read
Tire Testing

Nexen Tire establishes winter tire testing center in Finland

April 14, 20253 Mins Read
Latest News

Final handling tests for Alpine A390 sport fastback

April 28, 2025

Mustang installs R&D heavy-duty test stand at Texas A&M

April 28, 2025

Thales to help Michelin protect and expand its software business

April 28, 2025
Free Weekly E-Newsletter

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Our Social Channels
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
RELATED UKI TITLES
  • Automotive Interiors
  • Automotive Powertrain
  • ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle
  • Professional Motorsport
  • Tire Technology
  • Media Pack
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT