Spanish manufacturer Galfer has developed a new inertia dynamometer test rig for brake friction control – allowing the accurate testing of pads and discs and the materials they are made from and the manufacturing processes used to make them.
Based on the company’s 60-plus years of experience in developing and manufacturing friction materials, the rig is the result of some 30 months of development, and it has been in use at its Granollers facility near Barcelona since 2016.
Described by the company as a key component in their research, development and innovation of brake components, this versatile tool is able to simulate braking conditions and variables, and to control and analyse key performance parameters such as speed, braking power, coefficient of friction, fade effect, pressure on the lever and in the pump, sensitivity to that pressure, caliper, pad and disc temperature and resistance and durability.
Using real telemetry data in the bench testing programme (obtained at closed speed circuits, with speeds in excess of 350 km/h) has marked a “real milestone in our research, design and innovation”, said Export Sales Manager Ivo Bristot.
“The test rig is driven by an electric motor with a max. power of 285 CV (210kW) and has state-of-the-art digital technology. It has a speed range of 0-360 km/h and temperature range of up to 800 degrees centigrade, meaning we can broaden and deepen the test parameters we are able to subject our materials and products to, speed up the testing and validation process, and quickly respond to new market opportunities and demand from our distributors and dealers. It really does take brake testing into a new dimension. Everybody should check out the demonstration video on our website”.
www.galfer.eu
