Testing labs in Mazzo di Rho

NEWTON Srl is an Italian testing and certification laboratory headquartered at Via G. di Vittorio 2/D, 20017 Mazzo di Rho (MI), near Milan. The laboratory specialises in aerodynamic wind tunnel testing, mechanical verification, optical evaluation, and the homologation and certification of personal protective equipment (dispositivi di protezione individuale), with a particular focus on motorsport safety equipment. NEWTON serves manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and development teams across the automotive, motorsport, optics, and personal protective equipment sectors. The centrepiece of NEWTON's infrastructure is a 280 kW subsonic wind tunnel of the Gottingen closed-circuit type (galleria del vento a ciclo chiuso tipo Gottingen). The tunnel features a total air-circuit path of 56 metres and is engineered to operate in either open or closed test-section configuration, depending on the specific test programme. The electrical power required to drive the facility is generated by an integrated on-site generator, ensuring operational autonomy and consistent power supply during extended test runs. The wind tunnel is equipped with three interchangeable test sections, each 5 metres in length, allowing the facility to adapt quickly to different specimen geometries and test requirements. Both full-scale prototypes and scale models can be accommodated, and NEWTON offers in-house model manufacturing from CAD data, enabling clients to outsource the entire test preparation and execution workflow. Instrumentation supports measurement of aerodynamic forces and torsional moments acting on the specimen, making the tunnel suitable for drag, lift, and moment characterisation across a wide range of product types. Beyond force measurement, the tunnel supports flow-visualisation studies, thermodynamic testing using temperature-sensor-equipped test heads, and acoustic measurements. For acoustic testing, the test head is fitted with two microphones positioned at the auditory canal openings, simulating real-world exposure for helmet and head-worn device development. The laboratory also quantifies turbulence intensity, recognising that differences in flow quality between wind tunnels can introduce significant inter-laboratory variation in results — an important consideration for clients comparing data across facilities. Data acquisition and processing are handled by two dedicated computing systems running the AD Engineering control programme. The test control and data-reduction software can be customised for specific client applications or bespoke measurement protocols, giving NEWTON flexibility to support novel product development programmes as well as standard homologation sequences. NEWTON is an accredited or authorised testing body for several major motorsport and personal protective equipment certification schemes. These include FIA 8860 and FIA 8858 helmet standards, and FIA 8862:2009 covering Formula 1 race helmets — among the most demanding head-protection certification programmes in the world. The laboratory is also authorised under the SFI Foundation Inc. and SNELL Memorial Foundation programmes, which govern helmets and safety equipment for North American motorsport. Additionally, NEWTON conducts verification and homologation testing for two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles and for sports eyewear (certificazione occhiali), broadening its scope beyond helmets to encompass a full range of driver and rider protective systems. NEWTON's declared sectors of activity are mechanics, optics, and aerodynamics (meccanica, ottica, aerodinamica). Its client base includes helmet and PPE manufacturers seeking FIA, SFI, or SNELL homologation, automotive OEMs requiring aerodynamic development support, and producers of eyewear and other protective devices subject to certification before market entry. The combination of a rare closed-circuit wind tunnel, motorsport-focused certification authority, and in-house model-making capabilities positions NEWTON as a specialised and credible testing partner for high-performance safety and aerodynamic product development in Europe and internationally. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00 CET.