KTR started up a new test bench

KTR started up a new test bench for large couplings covering a performance range up to 500,000 Nm at the headquarters in Rheine. The test bench allows to calculate mechanical coupling parameters and perform service life testing. Testing sample of the initial testing series is a torque limiter intended to be used on an 8 MW offshore wind energy plant.

The new test bench is provided with an electrical variable-speed drive generating a maximum testing torque of 500,000 Nm via several gears. The torque is measured on the gear output side through a calibrated measuring shaft via DMS technology while the twisting angle is calculated on the drive side through a pulse encoder or a position sensor which is installed directly on the testing sample. The data acquired allow to calculate the torsion spring stiffness. Apart from recording mechanical coupling figures, testing of component strength and service life is performed on the new test bench. In addition positive-locking and frictionally engaged overload systems will be tested and set here.

With the new test bench KTR’s testing capacities in Rheine have been increased five times. „The availability of such kind of test bench is particularly important in an age during which the performance level of drive components for machinery and plant engineering is continuously increasing“, Dipl.-Ing. Reinhard

Wibbeling, Head of Designing/Research & Development in KTR explains. „This allows KTR to further expand its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of mechanical couplings and overload systems.“

KTR’s test bench for mechanical couplings and overload systems at the headquarters in Rheine currently comprises 24 rotating and non-rotating test benches operated hydraulically, servo-hydraulically or electrically.

The test benches cover a test range from 0.2 Nm to 500,000 Nm and allow for practical testing conditions with dynamic or static load of the testing sample. The testing capacity includes determination of coupling parameters, adjustment of overload systems and endurance testing regarding component strength and service life.