
NCOP VSB14 Compliant
At Blackhawk, we prioritize safety and compliance when developing new products, starting with the maximum available axle capacity as the foundation for all our calculations and analysis. From there, we ensure that our products far exceed the necessary requirements for each specific application.
This commitment guarantees that our products are not only legal but, more importantly, safe for every user.
The Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts oversees vehicle compliance within Australia. In 2011, the department introduced the National Code of Practice (NCOP) for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (VSB14). This set of guidelines outlines the technical requirements that must be met when modifying or constructing a vehicle.
VSB14 specifies four load cases that steering or suspension components must exceed for compliance:
- Sustained Bump Load
- Skid Load
- Overturning Load
- Fatigue Load
Unmatched Development and Mechanical Testing
The Blackhawk Ultimate range of upper control arms (UCAs) has undergone more rigorous testing than any other UCA on the market.
Each Blackhawk Ultimate Adjustable UCA goes through an exhaustive process of design and refinement to perfect the steering geometry, suspension/vehicle clearance, and fitment. This process begins with 3D scanning to develop a dynamic suspension model, which is then combined with real-world wheel alignment data to determine the necessary caster and camber adjustments, along with spatial constraints for the UCA.
Once the design is finalized, it is 3D printed and fitted to the vehicle to verify fitment, clearance, and validate the steering geometry.
The final design of the Blackhawk Ultimate UCA undergoes multiple Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations, followed by extensive physical and destructive testing, specifically focused on the adjuster. This ensures that the Blackhawk Ultimate UCA not only complies with VSB14 but is also the strongest adjustable UCA available on the market.
(BHU3957R)