Data that tells engineers how rolling bearings behave under high centrifugal forces can be scarce. That situation may change, however, after Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) and Schaeffler Group co-developed a spin test stand and instituted research that aims to cut energy consumption in machines and vehicles.

FAU researcher David Hochrein stands next to a 16-ton spin test stand that exposes bearings to extreme centrifugal forces. On the test stand, bearings are exposed to 3000 times gravitational acceleration. Data gathered beginning in autumn 2016 will help illuminate how centrifugal forces and extreme loads affect bearing designs and materials. The project is also expected to offer insights that may improve simulation software, permitting design engineers to optimize bearing design before prototypes are built.

“Lightweight design and energy efficiency are two key factors in the development of new vehicle components. Improvements are directly visible in reduced fuel consumption,” says Dr. Stephan Tremmel, FAU’s Chair of Engineering Design. “On our test stand, we can investigate, in particular, the question of which factors influence the bearings under extreme load. Such factors may be temperatures, coatings or geometric details.”