Multi – function, modular tribometer

The RTEC MFT-5000 platform is a multi – purpose tribometer built around a core – frame carrying interchangeable functional modules which can be arranged to provide functionality required by the research task. The modules, the frame and the control unit are designed with a plug – and – play functionality which results in efficient and fast configuring of the rig to meet the requirements of the experimental research task. The stand’s capacity to tun various tests can be expanded by adding new modules to the existing main unit.

Tribological experiments of various types can be carried out in sliding and rolling contacts, in unidirectional or reciprocating motion. The current set of modules comprises rotary drives for top and bottom specimens with the optional high temperature chamber and cryogenic chamber. The current basic set of contact geometries comprises: pin – on – disc, ball – on – disc, disc – on – disc, ring – on – flat, 4 – ball, cone – 3 balls. Other geometries can be implemented if required.

The RTEC MFT-5000 tribometer’s, general view with DEKATI ELPI+ nanoparticle analyser 

Measured and controlled parameters
  • Friction force (torque)
  • Normal load
  • Temperature of specimens and/or lubricant (8 channels)
  • Vertical travel of the top specimen
  • Acceleration in friction induced vibratory motion (normal and tangential to the contact interface)
Research tasks (examples)
  • Friction and wear of solid materials (metal alloys, plastics, ceramics or composite) proposed for different machine elements in either lubricated or unlubricated contact
  • Comparative tests of bearing or friction materials
  • Comparative tests of lubricants
  • The influence of lubricant on tribological processes
  • Friction induced vibration
  • Particulate emissions from tribological contacts
Full specification of the RTEC MFT-5000 tribometer’s mainframe and functional modules

  1. MFT-5000 Main Frame and Control System                                                                                                              

    High density/high stiffness floor standing platform with anchor design. Capable of performing various standard and customized tests according to international standards (ASTM/DIN/ISO). Accommodates interchangeable modules for easy change of test configuration.
    - Contains set of consumables
    - Max. loading force up to 10000 N
    - Z travel distance up to 150 mm, encoder resolution: 0.1 um
    - Servo-controlled loading, fully programmable
    - Travel Speed: 0.002-5 mm/s
    - In-situ wear-depth monitoring
    - Off center loads up to 5000 N (rotary drive etc.)
    - Long X-Y motorized sample stage travel. Medium and low speed linear reciprocating motion.
    - Options for Integrating 3D optical surface profilometer, Raman etc.
    - "X" Linear Reciprocating Drive Speed 0.001-6 mm/s; max travel: 130 mm
    - "Y" Linear Reciprocating Drive Speed 0.001-50 mm/s, max travel: 270mm (Y motor changed to higher torque motor with maximum 6 mm/s speed when some high torque test modules are selected)
    - Outer enclosure, EMO switch, exhaust fan
    Automatic recognition of installed modules and drives 

  2. 1D + 1D Down Force and Friction Force Sensor including Arm 5000 N
    Range: 10 to 5000 N; Resolution: 150 mN
    5000 N Friction Force Sensor

  3.  1D Down Force + Integrated Torque Sensor - Down Force and Torque measurement. Typically used with rotating lower drives. 8000 N, 20 Nm 

  4. Upper rotary drive with 8000N quad force sensor and integrated torque sensor
    For disk-on-disk, 4-ball, twist-compression, galling, thrust washer tests. ASTM standards D2266, D4172, D5183, ISO_20623, etc. (separate additional adapters needed for different applications).
    20 Nm integrated torque sensor. Up to 8000N force sensor. Up to  2500RPM . Max torque 11.2 Nm. 10.4 Nm@500 RPM, 6 Nm at 2500 RPM

  5.  Stationary Table Typically Used with XY stage 

  6. Lower Rotary Drive Motor max speed 5000 RPM, Max torque 6.8 Nm, 6.6Nm@500RPM, 2.2Nm@1500RPM, 4.6Nm@5000RPM

  7. Temperature Controller
    Multi-Function Environmental Controller
    With additional chambers and sensors it allows to control and monitor humidity, temperature up to 1,200°C; resolution 0.1 °C

  8. 500°C Temperature Chamber - For Rotary Module
    Allows to test in dry or with liquid. Additional liquid container is required.
    Accommodates universal sample holder.
    Temperature range: Room temperature to 500℃, temperature resolution: 0.1℃

  9. Low Temperature Cryogenic Chamber for Rotary drive
    Cooling Chamber for Rotary Drive with Computer Controlled Liquid Nitrogen Supply (Dry tests only). Designed to reduce condensation. Liquid Nitrogen dewar and controller included. Additional rotary drive needed. Typical temperature inside chamber from -10℃ to -120℃. Sample mounts via center hole.

  10. Universal Ball (10mm) and Pin Holder (10mm)
    Used with many test modules and chambers up to 500 ℃ . Can hold several ball sizes using additional collets or holders 12.7 mm Ball Holder
    Universal Lower Plate Holder
    Typically used with reciprocating drive and stationary table
    Maximum plate size : 40 mm x 50 mm Universal Lower Disk Holder
    Typically used with lower rotary drive.
    Disk diameter : 0.5 to 2 inch
    Self-Levelling Holder Disk
    Application dependent configurations 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) shaft with a gimble. Accommodates sample or sample holder, which has 3 tap holes #6-32. Brake Pad Holder to be used with brake test.
    3 sample with 1 inch Diameter each Brake Rotor Holder
    Lower holder for Rotor: 50.8 mm diameter rotor (typically 320 Frit Finish)

  11. Brake Dust Collector

  12. Liquid Container - Anti splash Using Rotary Module Anti-splash design
    - Compatible with 500°C chamber and humidity chamber
    Sample size diameter: maximum: 50 mm and Thickness : 3.2mm 

  13. Multiple holders for various specimen shapes and sizes
    4 ball Upper holder for both oil and grease test
    Accommodates 12.7 mm diameter ball Upper Cylinder Holder
    Self-levelling holder for pin, cylinder 10 mm diameter
    TCT Twist compression upper sample holder
    TCT For 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm Outer Diameter Samples
    TCT sample 7 mm OD, 5-6 mm ID
    TCT sample 8 mm OD, 5-6 mm ID
    TCT sample 9 mm OD, 5-6 mm ID

  14. Tribo Control System and Software
    - Computer and Control Module. PC, Windows 10 64 bit, 24- inch LCD monitor
    - Electrical controller and data acquisition system
    - Data Acquisition Module with Multi-Channel Signal Conditioner.
    - 16-bit High-Speed Data Acquisition Board, Sampling rate up to 200kHz
    - 2-Channel Force Signal Amplifier (Normal Load and Friction),
    - Multi-Channel (expandable up to 16-channels and Additional channels can be added),
    Control and Data Analysis Software: Software Application for fully automated test procedures, motion control, data acquisition, storage, and display, including: Normal load fully automated precision programmable control. Programmable servo-control of lower motion stages, including speed, direction, acceleration/deceleration rate, distance, angular position. Programmable test procedures, including test time, load, speed, frequency, distance, number of cycles, etc.
    Automatic stribeck curve generation and data analysis.
    Programmable test interruption upon meeting pre-set criteria (Friction, COF, distance, wear, AE, temperature, etc.), sample stage automated repositioning for surface inspection, test continuation . Programmable control of environmental chambers. Additional sensors (position, distance, temperature, resistance, etc.) data recording and display.
    Real time data display. Test protocols per several ASTM/DIN/ISO standards for automated execution.
    Software application for post-test data analysis and report generation

Contact person

Jacek Łubiński jacek.lubinski@pg.edu.pl
Michał Wasilczuk mwasilcz@pg.edu.pl