Computer Controlled Tribometer
Technology project supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2007-2011)
Project number:
Period: 2007 - 2011
Summary: Friction represents motion resistance of two surfaces in the contact, and it determines significantly the characteristics of many technical systems and elements. There are numerous examples, with useful and harmful effects.
The coefficients or forces determine the friction, and with their thorough knowledge the systems or products affected by the friction can be considerably improved. That can be achieved by better construction and materials, or even with better control methods, which is particularly emphasized currently.
The experimental analysis is the only way to have reliable information about the friction coefficients and forces. Special machines - tribometers have been applied for that purpose. In most cases tribometers are oriented for statically friction analysis, i.e. when the general conditions of friction have not been changing during the test procedure. Sometimes dynamical, variable conditions can be of particular interest. For example normal force, relative velocity, or dwell time can be variable, and nonlinear effects like Stribeck can be interesting, too.
For such experiments and test procedures, this project proposes the numerically controlled machine for friction analysis, which is characterized by very fast dynamics, high accuracy, versatility and automation of measuring procedures. That is owing to fast servo-drives, precise measuring equipment, variability of sliding surfaces and specifically developed control algorithms and measuring procedure.