Research Focus

The research focus is on methods and processes for the development of dry and lubricated friction systems in complex drive system solutions:

• Modelling of tribotechnical systems
• Explanatory models for tribological contacts
• Computer-based simulation of tribological contacts in the overall system
• Observance of interaction in the overall system
• Alternative friction materials

Service Offer

We are your partner for problems requiring experimental and virtual research and validation of dry-running and lubricated friction systems.

• Theoretical and experimental investigation in all test categories
• Customer-specific optimised methods and processes for development, design and validation of friction systems
• Joint development and validation of innovative products
• Optimisation of components and systems

Equipment

We offer the following simulation and test equipment which is especially useful for probing and examining friction systems:

• Dry friction test bench (TRP) (flyer)

  • Investigation of test pieces, clutch plates and clutch systems under load-like boundary conditions

  • Replication of powertrain stiffness and simulation of mass moments of inertia

  • Further information about the test bench can be found in the flyer which will soon be available for downloading here

• Test module for wet clutch linings (InLine-Module) (flyer)

  • Determination of the performance limits of wet cluches under different load parameters

  • Determination of the vibration decoupling through wet-running plate packs in regulated slip opertion

• Powertrain in the loop test bench (PLP) (flyer)

  • Investigation into how friction systems interact with the overall powertrain

  • Further information about the test bench can be found in the flyer which will soon be available for downloading here.

• Continuous slip test bench (DSP)

  • Investigation of wet-running multi-disk clutches and brakes with simultaneous rotation of inner and outer disks

  • Investigation of switch operation as well as continuous slip operation

  • Further information about the test bench can be found in the flyer which will soon be available for downloading here.

• Multi-slip test bench (MSP)

  • Differentiated investigation of friction pairs through the combination of three possible sliding portions: tangential slip, radial slip and spin

  • Cyclic meshing of friction contacts

  • Further information about the test bench can be found in the flyer which will soon be available for downloading here.

• Mini-Hardware-in-the-Loop test bench (Mini-HiL) (flyer)
  • Flexible development and validation platform for e.g. simulation models and control algorithms
• Mini-Hardware-in-the-Loop test bench (Mini-HiL2)
  • Flexible development and validation platform for e.g. simulation models and control algorithms
• Data recording

  • Recording of measurement data up to 100 KHz by the test bench software

  • Integration of mobile data recording systems: LMS SCADAS Mobile, AFT Tornado

• Measurement equipment

  • Laser surface velocimeter: Non-contact rotational speed measurement on all rotatory parts in the test bench

  • Particle image velocimetry (PIV): Non-contact measurement of flow fields of fluids

  • High speed thermal camera: High resolution long-wave infrared camera for non-contact temperature measurement up to 6000 images per second

  • Thermal camera: Short-wave infrared camera for non-contact temperature measurement

• Hardware and software development environment​​
  • FE simulation of dry and lubricated tribological contacts (Abaqus)
  • FE simulation of friction systems (Abaqus)
  • CFD simulation of oil flows (Ansys)
  • Multi-body simulation of friction systems
  • One-dimensional powertrain simulation (AMESim, Simulink)
  • Coupling of simulation methods

Theses

Current theses of the research group can be found here.

Contact