Precision Engineering for the Next Generation of Helmet Safety Testing
As global safety standards transition to address the realities of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), testing equipment must evolve to measure complex rotational forces. Engineered strictly to the BS EN 17950:2024 specification, the Cellbond CEN Headform delivers uncompromising accuracy for evaluating both translational and rotational kinematics during oblique helmet impacts.
Built on Cellbond’s legacy of exceptional crash test and safety hardware, this headform provides testing laboratories and helmet manufacturers with a highly biofidelic, reliable tool to validate modern rotational safety technologies, including slip-liners and energy-absorbing geometries.
Key Engineering Advantages
- Exceptional Biofidelity in Oblique Impacts: Older standards relied on headforms that were either overly gripping or unnaturally slick, skewing data during angled drops. The Cellbond EN 17950 Headform features a rigorously calibrated surface finish, achieving a targeted Coefficient of Friction (CoF) of 0.30 ± 0.03. This accurately replicates the interaction between a human scalp and a helmet liner, ensuring real-world relevance in test data.
- Anatomically Precise Kinematics: To ensure realistic rotation upon anvil impact, the mass, Center of Gravity (CoG), and Mass Moments of Inertia (MoI) have been meticulously engineered based on comprehensive 3D anthropometric mapping.
- Advanced Instrumentation Housing: The internal geometry is designed to securely house high-frequency multi-axis accelerometers and angular velocity sensors. The cavity ensures rigid sensor mounting, preventing internal vibration artifacts even at sampling rates exceeding 10,000 Hz.
- Robust Durability: Manufactured to withstand repeated, high-energy impact testing across various anvils (flat, kerb, and angled) without degradation of its physical properties or surface friction coefficient.
Technical Specifications (570 mm Configuration)
The 570 mm circumference model represents the standard medium-sized adult head (Size J equivalent) and serves as the baseline for most primary certification tests.
| Parameter | Specification Details |
| Regulatory Compliance | EN 17950:2024 (CEN/TC 158/WG 11) |
| Head Circumference | 570 mm |
| Nominal Mass | 3913.17 g |
| Coefficient of Friction (CoF) | 0.30 ± 0.03 |
| Center of Gravity (X, Y, Z) | -0.18 mm, 0.94 mm, -0.08 mm |
| Moment of Inertia (Ixx) | 114.63 kg cm² |
| Sensor Compatibility | Supports standard 6-axis / 9-axis kinematic sensor packages |
Note: Alternate sizing options developed under the CEN guidelines (e.g., 540 mm, 600 mm) are available upon request to complete your laboratory’s testing range.
Testing Applications
The Cellbond EN 17950 Headform is the definitive solution for testing facilities certifying advanced head protection across multiple disciplines:
- Bicycle & Micro-mobility: Evaluating slip-plane systems and rotational mitigation in cycling, skateboard, and e-scooter helmets.
- Industrial & Construction Safety: Simulating workplace falls and trips onto angled surfaces.
- Equestrian & Action Sports: Capturing complex rotational metrics required for high-velocity, off-axis impacts.
Elevate Your Testing Capabilities
Transition your laboratory to the latest in European testing standards with hardware you can trust. Cellbond provides comprehensive calibration data, 3D CAD integration files for your testing setups, and ongoing technical support for our full range of EN 17950 headforms.
Contact us today for more information.
