DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTIFUNCTIONAL TRIBOMETER: DESIGN CONCEPT

Tribometer is a testing device which is used to measure tribological properties of materials or systems like friction force, wear rate and related phenomenon developed between surfaces in a relative motion. Until it was first invented by Leonardo da Vinci - the first tribologist, many types of tribometers have been developed. Since tribological problems are present in almost any field of engineering, various tribometers are in use to simulate all kinds of situations encountered in the real applications. In recent years, modular or multi-functional tribometers have been developed and transferred to the tests applications. In this study, a new tribological test platform is presented concerning its design, modular concept, operative system and loading options. This multi-functional tribometer was designed to conduct various tribological tests in the same test platform by chancing the modules. Developed tribometer can work together with the modules of "pin-on-disc", "linear reciprocating", "block-on-ring", "high temperature", "tribo-corrosion", "lubrication" and "piston ring on cylinder liner". The test platform was also designed to be flexible, and new simulators or modules can be adapted added if they are needed. On the other hand, the system has four main motion types of rotary, reciprocating, block on ring and angular rotary. The innovative design aspects are suitable to allow for a variety of probes, sample surfaces, and testing conditions. A user friendly software was also developed to evaluate, control and digitalize the data coming from the sensors and other electronic parts during testing.