ResearchActivities

Applied tribology: from laboratory to industry

Abstract:
The research and development focus on addressing problems of practical tribological nodes, using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches at various (TRL) levels. Technologies at higher technology readiness levels are validated based on functional samples, system testers, or prototypes in cooperation with industrial partners. The primary goal is to enhance the transfer of knowledge and technical solutions from the laboratory into real-world applications.

Main objectives:

  • To improve the performance of various practical tribological problems through systematic research on friction, lubrication, and wear processes using tailored experiments using custom-developed and commercial equipment.

  • To achieve effective knowledge transfer between laboratory research and real-world components by integrating theory with appropriately designed experiments at different levels.

  • To verify the feasibility and functionality of tribological solutions using developed functional samples and prototypes of machines and equipment.

Research content:
The research and development activities are closely linked with industrial partners, utilizing specialized laboratory simulators and conditions tailored to specific tribological systems, including the application of advanced measurement methods. Tribological systems consist of two contact bodies separated by an intermediate layer of lubricant or other substances. Under the influence of environmental and operational conditions, the system exhibits specific friction and wear characteristics, which can be significantly influenced by the quality of lubrication. Tribological interfaces in real-world applications are subject to various functional, efficiency, and durability (reliability) requirements. Ongoing processes often complement each other, with the system’s overall behaviour being the result of these combined effects.

Many processes within tribological interfaces remain challenging to simulate numerically due to the lack of input data and accurate material models required for realistic outcomes, highlighting the importance of experimental approaches. Effective innovation and the transfer of new concepts into practice require combining testing at various levels with theoretical insights, bridging the gap between practical component tests and fundamental laboratory methods. This approach enables a detailed, component-specific understanding of tribological processes, comprehensive performance and quality evaluations of various solutions, and validated technical solutions on prototypes and functional samples.

Key achievements include the development of innovative methodologies and prototypes for hydrostatic lubrication systems in large-scale structures with diameters exceeding 10 meters, achieving a 20% improvement in energy efficiency compared to traditional approaches. Activities also encompasses consultancy and expert services, as well as laboratory testing of various tribological system solutions for benchmarking purposes. Close collaboration with industrial partners ensures that results build effectively on existing partner solutions and complement their know-how in the field of tribology.

Publications:
OKÁL, M.; KOŠŤÁL, D.; SAKAI, K.; KŘUPKA, I.; HARTL, M. Thickener Behaviour in Rolling Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Contacts. Tribology Letters, 2024, vol. 72, no. 3, p. 1-16. ISSN: 1573-2711. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-024-01874-0

MICHALEC, M.; FOLTÝN, J.; DRYML, T.; SNOPEK, L.; JAVORSKÝ, D.; ČUPR, M.; SVOBODA, P. Assembly Error Tolerance Estimation for Large-Scale Hydrostatic Bearing Segmented Sliders under Static and Low-Speed Conditions. Machines, 2023, vol. 11, no. 11, ISSN: 2075-1702. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11111025

MICHALEC, M.; POLNICKÝ, V.; FOLTÝN, J.; SVOBODA, P.; ŠPERKA, P.; HURNÍK, J. The prediction of large-scale hydrostatic bearing pad misalignment error and its compensation using compliant support. PRECISION ENGINEERING-JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES FOR PRECISION ENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY, 2022, vol. 75, no. May 2022, p. 67-79. ISSN: 0141-6359.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2022.01.011

Partners and Collaboration:
Schaeffler Group, Herzogenaurach, Schaeffler AG, Industriestraße 1-3, 91074 Herzogenaurach, Germany.

THK RHYTHM AUTOMOTIVE CZECH, a.s., Strojírenská 160, 380 17 Dačice, Czech Republic.

Bosch Rexroth, s.r.o., Těžební 1238/2, Brno, Czech Republic.

K.K. IRISU (C. ILLIES & CO., LTD.), Irisu Building, 3-12-18 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan.

Projects:
National Competence Centre of Mechatronics and Smart Technologies for Mechanical Engineering, Large-size bearings with advanced diagnostics for wind energy, (NCK MESTEC2 – DP 02), Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) – National Centres of Competence, TN02000010, 2023- 2025.

Research and development of hydrostatic drive and turntable mounting based on adaptive control loops, Technology Agency of the Czech Republic – TREND industrial research and experimental development programme, FW03010357, 2021-2024.

SERDYN – Research and development of a new dynamic servo cylinder for energetics, Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovations for Competitiveness – Application, CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_321/0024483, 2021-2023.

Contact person:
doc. Ing. Petr Svoboda, Ph.D.