Background

The TE 88 Multi-Station Friction and Wear Test Machine is design for wear testing of materials under high contact pressures in pin on disc, block on ring or reciprocating pin on plate modes. In reciprocating mode the machine can perform tests in the ASTM F 732 geometry, in Pin on Disc mode according to ASTM G 99, and in Block on Ring Mode according to ASTM G 77. The machine may be supplied with one, two and three Pin on Disc, Block on Ring or Reciprocating Pin on Plate test stations. It incorporates an integrated SUPERSLIM Serial Link Interface Module and COMPEND 2000software running on a host PC.

TE 88/BU Base Unit

The base unit comprises an a.c. variable speed gear-motor and a control and data acquisition system. These are transferred between the Pin on Disc, Block on Ring and Pin on Plate modules, depending on the tests configurations required.

TE 88/LFW Load/Friction/Wear Measurement Assembly

For each test station installed, a load/friction/wear assembly is required. These are transferred between the Pin on Disc, Block on Ring and Pin on Plate modules, depending on the tests configurations required.

The loading beam is pivoted at one end and a pneumatic bellows is used to apply a load at the other end. The bellows system presents a constant inertial stiffness over the whole load range and thereby reduces the inertia effects on test data. A force transducer mounted on the bellows allows the applied load to be measured. Load is adjusted by means of a manually set precision regulator.

The load beam pivot is trunnion mounted and restrained from movement, when in the horizontal position, by pads mounted on the load application bracket. A strain gauge force transducer mounts on the load beam and fits between these pads when the arm is horizontal thus allowing the friction signal to be sensed.

The transducer output connects to a strain gauge amplifier module and the output from this may be connected direct to the interface for uni-directional friction measurements (pin on disc and block on ring tests). The output may also be passed through a true rms/dc converter and then connected to the interface to give averaged friction readings in reciprocating pin on plate mode.

An LVDT is mounted in contact with the underside of the load beam. As the pin or block wears, the vertical movement of the load beam is detected by the transducer. Wear of up to 1.5 mm at the contact can be measured. The LVDT is self-powered and plugs directly into the interface.

TE 88/R Reciprocating Pin on Plate Module

TE 88/P Pin on Disc Module

TE 88/B Block on Ring Module

TE 88/TW Thrust Washer Test Adapter

TE 88/TW adapted is used in conjunction with the TE 88/P Pin on Disc Module and allows tests to be performed using thrust washer test specimens in accordance with ASTM D3702. A force transducer is included for measurement of torque.

TE 88/HT High Temperature Pin on Disc Test Adapter

Hot air from a electrically heated blower unit is then directed into the inlet port and a chimney directs the exhaust upwards from the outlet port. The temperature of the disc specimen is measured using an optical pyrometer.

Control and Data Acquisition

The TE 88 has PC based sequence programmable control and data acquisition. This is provided by an integrated Serial Link Interface Module and COMPEND 2000 software running on a host PC, operating under Windows. Data is stored to hard disc in standard spread sheet compatible file formats (.csv or .tsv).

Tests are defined by a sequence of steps, each step containing set-point, data recording rates and alarm level information. Set-points may be adjusted by step change or ramp. The test sequence is followed unless interrupted by the operator or an alarm. Set-points may also be adjusted manually using on screen toggles.

Purchasing Examples

ONE Station Pin on Disc, Block on Ring, Reciprocating Pin on Plate Machine with Wear Transducer:

THREE Station Reciprocating Pin on Plate Machine:

ONE Station High Temperature Pin on Disc Machine: