Testing ventilator systems

Nikolaos Tachatos is testing the ETH's new ventilation system on the test stand built especially for such tests. (all pictures: Nicola Pitaro / ETH Zurich) - ETH researchers have set up a test rig to put newly developed ventilator systems through their paces. Around the world, the coronavirus crisis has seen the demand for ventilators soar. Many manufacturers are therefore working at full speed to develop new ventilator systems, primarily for those countries that cannot afford expensive high-tech equipment. However, there's a catch: standardised tests are required before these systems can be produced on an industrial scale. And because a ventilator is also currently under development at ETH Zurich, researchers at the Chair of Product Development and Engineering Design have built a test rig that enables them to conduct an in depth examination of a wide range of ventilator systems. The test consists of an evaluation of the accuracy of controls and instruments including the alarm signals and the evaluation of the trigger signals for the assisted ventilation.