Multi axial Test Benches

This type of very ductile Test Bench was designed and developed by our Ing. Brivio and is actually present in numerous test laboratories that have adopted it. It allows for several independent tests on the same bench, using a single Workstation, and to create trial configurations of considerable complexity.

In essence, the Bench is a very solid base in welded steel, with machined surfaces of centesimal precision and internal reinforcements at various levels to provide the structural strength. Externally, it is worked with orthogonal guides on 5 faces. For the basic format, the external dimensions are: 750 x 1500 H 700 mm, and c.a. 3 Ton of weight.

In addition to the accessories which are from time to time offered to the Customer for the specific needs, the grooved guides allow for a fast and easy configuration, as well as the precise positioning of the various components.

The photos below show examples of Bench configurations, on which various equipments are installed obtaining mono or multi-axial Test Benches. As you can see, adding just a few simple connections to the specimen and Servo Actuator/s this Bench can become, for example:

• a Flexural Test Bench for MTB forks
• a Column Test Bench for Fatigue Tests on components
• a Torsional Test Bench

This type of Modular Test Bench has already been used in many applications with considerable advantages both for the technical content, and for the limited time required to setup very complex configurations.

Being a self-supporting structure positioned on anti-vibrations, it can move and install in a simple and versatile way.

Basic Bench, with simple column structure and upper mobile bar that allows for making any kind of mono axial testing, Static, Dynamic, and Fatigue.

As shown in the picture, it is composed of:

• a structure with columns, complete with hydraulic Servo Actuator (typically hydrostatic), Force and Displacement transducers with, or without, anti-rotation guide system
• a Hydraulic Power Unit
• a Workstation to command, control, measure, acquire data, and setup alarms

This is the basic unit, which can also be accompanied by extensometers, mechanical or hydraulic grips, with or without automation, and what other necessary for the specific testing needs.

This Bench is designed to easily perform quick tests at the end of the production line. The possibility to position the specimen in a frontal way is particularly important, without the need of dismantling/disassembly.

It is equipped with automatic devices (for moving the upper cross member, for opening and closing the protections at the beginning and at the end of test, etc.) in order to minimize the repetitive or tiring work, in complete safety. The Operator is facilitated both during the intensive use and when he has to carry out tests on different components. In fact, it can have a wide variety of latches, which can be interchanged quickly and safely.

Computerized system for testing on the field the structural strength of bridges, floors, beams, etc. in Civil field. It consists of:

• 3 modular and independent groups, with hydraulic power unit working at 180 bar. Each group is equipped with Servo Hydraulic Actuator generator and Load Cell for measuring Traction loads (max 10,000 kg) and Compression loads (max 20,000 kg). Connectors (CNC) enable networking between the various modules, electronic equipment and computer.
• 7 groups of deformation measurement, each with 2 telescopic stands, H 6 meters and H 1,5 meters, networkable (CNC connector) or independent, with external power supply at 220 VAC.
• set of chains + traction bars (L = 1000 mm D = 20 mm, with female eyebolts C15 T1.2 R20) for Traction testing
• series of extensions for Compression testing
• software for management and automatic data acquisition, with data processing and output of final Test Report

This system allows to perform computerized tests, with up to 3 sets of load generators and readers and 10 Displacement Transducers.

Designed to perform fast and precise control of Clutches with disks preloaded by springs. It allows the accurate measurement of stress relaxation using a special load cell positioned inside the clutch itself. The software automatically manages handling and data acquisition for the characterization of the individual units.

Its size is: 450 x 650 mm in plan, H 1,400 mm and weight c.a. 100 Kg at full load, with handling on swivel and lockable wheels. This compact size allows the Bench to be used even in the pit area.

Extremely compact Test Bench: the Hydraulic Power Unit is very quiet and is integrated under the working plane without hindering Technicians' access to the test area.

The whole Bench is very silent and suitable for a wide range of torsion bars differing in length, torque and rotation. In fact, it supports rotations up to +/- 50 degrees and to apply torques up to 4,000 Nm. Expressively designed for pre-stress testing and fatigue characterization of bars used in the automotive field (F1 and other competitions).

This type of Bench allows the bi-axial calibration of the complete group of right and left crank arms, instrumented to measure the forces exerted by the rider (i.e. Powermeter). During the testing procedure, which is performed at the end of the production line, each group is subjected to a sequence and combination of various load configurations, both Static Dynamic, in order to calibrate it in a complete way.

This type of Bench allows for Static and Dynamic mono-axial tests on forks both single and double stems. It is very accurate and supports speeds up to 10 m/sec.

The installed software is implemented to configure the tests with customizable sequences, with monitor configuration and automatic display sequences, for example:

Watch the video!

This Bench allows to test Motorbike and Mountain Bike forks, also special ones (eg. Telelever). Static and Dynamic tests are performed along three independent stress lines, looping on Load or Displacement and in free combination without significant cross talk.

Main Test Bench characteristics include:

• very compact and easy to maintain
• allows for static, high-frequency and high-speed tests (the Bench shown in the picture can operate up to 4 m/sec)
• any kind of fatigue test, even random tests, can be managed with our software, with independent controls on all channels
• 3 Loads/Displacements are generated and are completely independent and decoupled from each other: they can be combined at will, without appreciable cross talk
• all connections are optimized to reduce load losses and achieve maximum dynamic responses

Watch the video!

Performs tests required by the Regulations on all types of bikes: from children bikes to the Mountain Bike. More specifically:

• Assembly tests on smooth ground
• Assembly tests on ground with obstacles
• Breaking tests on dry ground
• Breaking tests on wet ground

A multi-channel Wokstation is responsible of performing tests in mixed configurations: the various movements, pre-loads and loads are all pre-set, and can be also programmed and automatically managed.

Featuring a modular structure, it allows to carry out any test ‐ both static and fatigue ‐ defined by the Regulations for all kinds of bicycles, from children bikes to the moutain bike. In particular:

• single and multi-axial Static Tests, with deformation measurement, acquisition and automatic processing of the data
• single and multi-axial Fatigue Tests, up to 10 Hz frequency
• Drop Tests with automatic acquisitoin and direct measure of the impact speed

An Hydraulic Power Unit feeds all Servo Actuators, as it is sized according to the number of Benches working in parallel.

Simultaneous and completely independent tests can be performed adopting more Benches of the same family and exploiting a multi-channel Wokstation

Following are some examples of Test configuration:

Entirely contained within a solid metal structure, this Bench can be installed either vertically or horizontally. The specimens (max panels size is 1,000 x 700 mm) are rigidly placed inside the machine.

Protection systems can be installed with ease adapt to the criticality of various types of specimen, such as transparent panels to protect from accidental object ejection. In addition, all electrical cables and hydraulic pipes are placed within the structure into rigid conduits with protection and anti-shock functionality.

The various Servo Actuators can work both in displacement control and in load control, even independently one from the other. It is possible to perform dynamic and static tests, fatigue and high frequency tests (the maximum operating frequency is linked to the specimen type and the hydraulic system flow).

The 5 Servo Actuators are capable to stress the specimen to various states of load/deformation. Referring to the diagram of axes X, Y and Z, this bench allows apply to the specimen the following types of stress/deformation:

• Traction/Compression along X
• Traction/Compression along Z
• Tensile/Press-Bending along X, generating Torque My
• Tensile/Press-Bending along Z, generating Torque My
• Cut (+/-) along X

The various types of test which the specimens cen be subject to are the free combination of these five possibilities..

This type of Bench performs Static and Dynamic Tests (Fatigue) on aeronautical and space panels, both in plane and curved geometry.

The image on the left depicts a side view of the Bench configured for testing curved panels. On the same Bench it is posbbile to quickly switch, in a simple and precise fashion, from the configuration for flat panels to that for curved panels.

Main Bench features:

• it is very compact and easy to maintain
• supports both static tests and high frequency tests
• the setup process of each Bench configuration requests no burden (i.e. a few hours of work, moving little weights)
• the software manages any kind of dynamic tests, even random and with independent controls on each channel
• grips are designed so that stresses/deformations are introduced in a gradual and controllable way, in order to obtain the desired load/stress states without significant local effects (minimum stress concentrations)
• the test panel measures 1 x 1 m, while the Test Bench is 1.6 m wide and 1.8 m high: this way, the test panel is entirely visible and near the operator

A floating-type Test Bench with 6 independent axes, whose movements are obtained by lightweight Pivoting Servo Actuators. The ground constraints and the main loading systems are reacted and generated in force balancement, therefore without any obstacle to settling under load.

With this type of Bench, we tested the main rotor of several helicopters.

Watch the video!

A floating-type Test Bench with 4 independent axes, whose movements are obtained by lightweight Pivoting Servo Actuators. The ground constraints and the main loading systems are reacted and generated in force balancement, therefore without any obstacle to settling under load.

With this type of Bench, we tested the tail rotor of several helicopters.

Watch the video!

Test Bench for end production tests, that allows to characterize large chains with centesimal precision. This machine allows to select the proper combination of twin chains so that these, by working together, realize a precisely aligned movement.

The pallet is built and carefully worked from an extremely rigid steel frame, on which are placed:

• the static Head
• the movable Head, which can slide along the whole pallet
• the oleodynamic actuator and the Load Cell, which are anchored to the static Head
• the laser measurer
• the protection screens, with manual tilting and safety micro-switch system: the removal of the protection inhibits the machine to run, or, while running, causes the automatic stop

Constituted by an oscillating Table able to perform various types of tests, the Bench allows to simultaneously perform up to 4 Dynamic Testing of Avionics Instrumentation.

It consists of a rotary table supported by a base, both aluminum made, set in rotation by means of a torsional Servo Actuator. The reading and control of the angles are carried out by means of precision encoder and toothed belt reducer. The maximum resolution is 0.02° which is 5 times better than the required accuracy (0.1°).

All equipment is placed in an aluminum container, fixable to the ground and equipped with access doors with electrical and electromechanical safety protections. In particular, the access to the test elements area is completely protected by a transparent cover, whith opening controlled by means of an electromechanical safety system.

The overall size is 600 x 600 mm, 1,200 mm tall, and c.a. 200 Kg of total weight.

Test Bench to evaluate and measure the wear over time and under different conditions (combinations of temperature, humidity) of anti-friction materials placed on rotating rollers under load.

It consists of a steel structure characterized by high flexural-torsional stiffness. Internally, axial sliding guides are positioned for the idler wheel (100 mm stroke) and for the load platform (5 mm stroke). This structure also holds:

• The linear Servo Actuator for the generation of the thrust load (tests on pin or socket) or pull (tests on closed chain)
• The rotatory Servo Actuator which moves the rotor
• The Load Cells
• The Displacement Transducer
• A double bowl in stainless steel: the outer, covering the whole surface, serves to contain the liquid; the inner one contains the rotor and the platform supporting the specimen
• A external retaining tubular structure, with closure panels to insulate from the hot areas: it is equipped with 2 retractable lids (with safety micro) in order to access the inside of the tanks

Internally, the tank is insulated and equipped with closing bulkhead for testing in temperature and/or under water, which are localized on pin or compass. A removable closure cap is placed on top, holding a transparent panel to ease the inspection of the test area. Inside, it is placed the automatic heating system.

This bench allows the calculation of the Moment of Inertia of both individual components and complete structures. The instrument works on the principle of harmonic motion applied to rotating masses.

Designed for mechanical parts such as steering wheels of automobiles and trucks, engine components, rims, etc. A standard template is available for measuring specimens weighing up to 100 kg with an accuracy of +/- 1%. In addition, this Bench is fast and is suitable for use in production lines for quality analysis and to carry out comparative tests.

Altogether, the Bank is contained in a suitcase weighting less than 20 kg and is therefore easily transportable. The Bench is controlled from a laptop using our dedicated software.