1. Company History and Structure
2. Test Systems
3. Test Services
4. Center Drills
5. Motor Stator Lacers

Company History and Structure

Link Engineering takes pride in over 70 years of outstanding customer service and innovative products and services. Founded in 1935 by Herbert Link, the company is currently under the direction of Roy Link, Herbert's son. Over the past 70 years, Link Engineering has focused on testing products and services, electric motor production systems, and machine tool products. In many instances the company has evolved with the automotive and aerospace industries, developing many of today's standard testing procedures and apparatuses. LINK has a strong reputation for quality products and services with many technical innovations. Quality and service remain core values of the company.

Superior Testing Know-How Matched with Superior Design

The LINK family is composed of five divisions. Link Engineering is located in Plymouth, Michigan and is the administrative center of the organization. The product development and manufacturing activities are also located here. Link Industries continues the company tradition of machine tool manufacturing. Located in Indian River, Michigan, Link Industries produces a wide array of standard and custom tools for a variety of industrial applications. Link Testing Laboratories is located in Detroit and provides far-ranging testing services. Both bench-top and vehicle tests are conducted at this facility. With more than 40 full-scale dynamometers and a fully equipped vehicle garage, the capabilities of this laboratory cover a wide range of product evaluations. Link-Radlinski located in East Liberty, Ohio delivers engineering services to the truck and bus vehicle community. Providing vehicle testing services, custom test equipment, software, and consulting, this organization has built a global consumer base. Link West in Phoenix provides vehicle testing services and other support related vehicle testing. Working with customers around the world, LINK has developed an outstanding reputation for product quality and service. Offices in Brazil, China, and Germany attest to this customer commitment. Link has facilities throughout the United States as noted above. In addition, the company has representatives in France, Korea and India.

Customizing Test Systems for Your Specific Needs

Test Systems

In 1939, LINK patented its first test system, a spring tester. Since then, LINK has developed a wide array of standard and custom test systems from tabletop test stands to building-sized aircraft dynamometers.  LINK has the expertise and experience to meet the customers' unique needs.

A partial list of the products for which test systems have been developed is shown below.

• Clutches
• Hubs
• Bearings
• Calipers
• Brake Boosters
• Transfer Cases
• Electric Motors
• Whole Vehicles
• Transmissions
• Brakes
• Starter Motors
• Tires
• Wheels
• Springs
• Friction Materials
• Electric Steering Systems

While LINK provides many standard products, a core capability is the development of custom test systems. LINK has the unique ability to provide a turnkey service from initial concept through design and fabrication, and even to operation should the customer desire. The company has a complete staff of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers with years of experience in developing test systems to accomplish what others felt impossible. Many of the unique testers developed by LINK have become standard equipment in the industries for which they were developed. Whether the need is for transmission dynamometer, a brake NVH test cell, or a vehicle data acquisition system, LINK has a product to meet the customer's needs.

Link Custom Designed Software

A key part of LINK test systems and the services provided by LINK is ProLink™. This is an integrated software package providing test apparatus control, data acquisition, data analysis, and reporting functionality. It is a unique Microsoft® Windows® based software environment that has been successful in a wide array of applications around the world.

Since its introduction, ProLink has consistently been cited for its ease of use.  It is a powerful tool set that is used not only on Link test systems, but also on numerous systems from other manufacturers. Customers agree it provides faster control and data acquisition capabilities, nearly "bullet-proof" reliability and convenience that cannot be surpassed.

ProLink is compatible with Microsoft Windows and is continuously updated to take full advantage of the features and capabilities of this operating system. This process assures that the customer will be able to keep up their data acquisition and analysis needs by using the latest ProLink updates.

Test Services

Link Testing Laboratories provide a wide range of testing facilities and expertise. There are over 40 dynamometers with capabilities for testing a variety of products including brakes, wet and dry friction materials, hubs, rotors, clutches, and transmissions in laboratories around the world. In addition, the Detroit laboratory, Link-Radlinski, Link West, and the new Vehicle Test facility in Allen Park, Michigan, provide complete capabilities to support vehicle testing. Services include the performance of tests to national or international standards, proprietary tests procedures, and the development of unique procedures and hardware for a one of a kind evaluation.

In a unique partnership with Material Sciences Corporation and Brüel & Kjær, LINK provides NVH testing services at the Application Research Center in Canton, Michigan. The four-roll chassis dynamometer and other other world class facilities in this complex allow us to provide testing services second to none. In addition, LINK provides testing services at facilities in Germany and Korea. LINK can provide testing services around the globe.

Whether your product is an aircraft brake, a snowmobile clutch, off-road vehicle hub, or a new friction material concept; LINK can provide the required test facilities, data analysis, and insightful reporting. The laboratory's core competence is focused on brakes, clutches, and friction materials. However, a wide range of applications are supported. A few examples are shown below:

• Automotive Brakes
• Medium Truck Brakes (Class 7 & 8)
• Railroad Brakes
• Mining Machinery
• Forklifts and Skid Loaders
• Automotive Suspension Springs
• Light Truck Powertrains
• Automatic Transmission Fluids
• Automotive Truck Hubs
• Brake Friction Material Characterization
• Calipers
• Brake Boosters
• Transfer Cables
• Electric Motors
• Truck Axle Durability
• Caliper and Rotor Corrosion

Center Drills

Link Industries, located in Northern Michigan, provides a wide array of center drills and custom cutting tools. The standard product range covers a wide variety of applications, tool holders, and special materials. The Unidapt product line provides a unique system of long reach adapters for deep hole drilling. The LINK locking system allows for easy installation and removal of cutting tools while providing a rigid fixture for drilling deep holes with high accuracy. A wide range of custom tools have been developed for customers across the U.S. Link Industries has the experience and manufacturing expertise to meet the most challenging custom requirements.

Electric Motor Stator Lacer Products

For some time now, LINK has provided a range of products in support of the electric motor manufacturing industry. Today's Link Motor Stator Lacing Equipment is second to none. Using the latest controls and software, the company's lacers have the capability to provide materials handling functions, automatic part identification for production flexibility, and reliable service. There are thousands of examples of Link's Expertise in motor production lines around the world.