Bruker Launches TriboLab HD Friction Tester

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology introduced its TriboLab HD high-torque friction material tester yesterday, during the first day of the 40th Annual SAE Brake Colloquium (BRAKE) in Grand Rapids, Mich.

According to Steve Papanicolaou, Bruker Global Sales Manager, the TriboLab HD was developed in response to market demands.

“You’ve told us is there is a gap between a very primitive coupon-testing system, and a dynamometer,” said Papanicolaou during his presentation in the BRAKE Spotlight Lounger announcing the TriboLab HD. “We’ve brought a very functional system into the market that gives you the functionality of a dynamometer (being able to design test scripts the way you like). [The TriboLab HD] provides a faster time to market by eliminating poor formulations early, and finally, what’s very exciting, we’ve integrated a particle collection system where you can collect, filter, and then take your particle samples on for further testing.”

Bruker introduced its new TriboLab HD tester at SAE Brake Colloquium

The TriboLab HD was designed to help reduce development time with high-torque, in-situ heating, and containment capabilities to rank friction-material performance in the lab.

In-lab ranking enables developers to better focus their efforts on driving only the best friction-material formulations to market, providing TriboLab HD owners an extreme advantage in this highly competitive field.

The TriboLab HD delivers:

  • A unique range of tests and capabilities to support emerging brake development needs
  • The most force torque in a research testing system to meet existing and future automotive vehicle requirements
  • Particle matter collection support for microscale R&D improvements and green regulations
  • Extremely versatile operator ease of use with modularity and pre-set push-button tests to expedite operation, test development, and reporting

Papanicolaou explained the basic operation to the audience: “We take out small squares or circles [of friction material], about a centimeter in diameter or a centimeter long, and press them against a lower rotor. Basically, we have a lower rotating rotor being pressed against three button coupons that allow you to measure friction and torque.”

“The resulting data is similar to the data being produced by existing dynamometer testing, which makes comparisons more reasonable,” added Papanicolaou.

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