FOX RACING SHOX SELECTS MTS SHOCK ABSORBER TESTING SYSTEM
Eden Prairie, Minn., November 14, 2005 – MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC) today announced a contract with Fox Racing Shox to provide a damper testing system for shock absorbers. Fox Racing Shox designs suspension solutions for the all-terrain vehicle, mountain biking, motocross, offroad car and snowmobile markets.
The MTS damper testing system is only one of five such systems in the world, and will allow Fox Racing to test shock absorbers at the rate of 8.5+ meters per second, a four-fold increase in velocity capabilities from the company’s previous system. Under the contract, MTS will also provide its fully configurable damper testing software.
“We selected MTS because we are committed to delivering the best possible products to our customers and MTS can help us do that,“ said Bob Fox, owner and president of Fox Racing Shox. “The velocities are increasing in our customers’ products, so we can’t accurately predict performance without this new testing technology. We are proud to be partnering with MTS.”
Vehicle shock absorbers and struts are a key component of a vehicle’s suspension system, affecting ride, performance and safety. MTS’ damper testing system measures the damping characteristics of a shock absorber. Dampening characteristics are determined by measuring a force reaction caused by a controlled velocity input. Shock absorbers have non-linear damping properties making them difficult to accurately model.
“We are seeing a need for more dynamic testing systems to address certain requirements in the shock and strut market, such as new shock absorber designs, an increased focus on ride comfort and the need to achieve longer component lifespan goals,” said Jake Rawn, market manager for MTS Systems Corporation. “We also are increasingly seeing smaller companies invest in sophisticated testing systems to remain competitive.”
About Fox Racing Shox
Fox Racing Shox is the industry leader in designing and manufacturing high performance shock absorbers and racing suspension components. Fox Racing Shox is based in Watsonville, California.
About MTS Systems Corporation
MTS Systems Corporation is a leading global supplier of test systems and industrial position sensors. The Company’s testing hardware and software solutions help customers accelerate and improve their design, development, and manufacturing processes and are used for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products, and structures. MTS’ high-performance position sensors provide controls for a variety of industrial and vehicular applications. MTS had 1,615 employees and revenue of $367 million for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2004. Additional information on MTS can be found on the worldwide web at http://www.mts.com.
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