In 2016, we launched the Rotating Elements Laboratory with a test bed in the form of one of the largest Vacuum Chambers in Europe (working length 9.65 m; diameter 5.5 m; total volume 265 m³; total weight 177 tons).

In the laboratory, we conduct, among others, test of the:

• fans,
• parts of the rotating aircraft engines
• industrial turbines.

We test the durability of fans of aviation turbine engines in the event of a bird strike (Large Bird Ingestion Test), we also perform durability tests of the fan cover and the bearing system of aviation turbine engines, simulating the event of a fan blade tear off during engine operation (Fan Blade Out Test).

Vacuum chamber – testing capabilities

The vacuum chamber enables testing the characteristics of static and dynamic loads of the tested object at speeds up to 12,000 rpm, which is possible thanks to its electric drive with a power of 6.3 MW and vacuum pumps, which creating a vacuum environment minimize the power needed to carry out tests and temperature influences.

There are also aggregates supplying lubricating oil to the test facility, an advanced control and data acquisition system integrating the whole thing, and Phantom v1612 high-speed cameras recording high-quality films at ultra-fast speeds (up to 1 million frames/sec.).

The conducted tests allow to quickly and effectively check the being developed components and make the necessary corrections on an ongoing basis.

Balancing of the rotating elements

Balancing of the rotating elements makes it possible to eliminate the harmful influence of centrifugal forces, which are the cause of vibrations of the rotating system.

Service works in the field of balancing of the rotating elements are carried out on Schenck balancing machines: HL4 UB and H1B.

Parameters of the HL4 UB machine:

• rotor weight: 1.5 – 500 kg;
• maximum diameter (D1): 1600 mm;
• trunnions diameter: 12 – 200 mm;
• Distance between supports (L1): U/BU 3000 m;
• minimum achievable residual unbalance per kg: 1/0.1 g.mm;
• rotor drive: BU, U;
• drive power: 7.5 kW;
• energy source: 400V ±10%, 2 Ph, 50 Hz
• measuring device CAB 803: vector visualization network connection;
• options:
  • machine bed extension: 1000/2000/3000 mm;
  • replacement rollers: 100-200 mm.

Parameters of the H1B machine:

• maximum rotor weight: 15 kg,
• trunnions diameter: 6-30/30-70 mm;
• Distance between supports (L1): 6 – 600 mm;
• minimum achievable residual unbalance per kg: 0.1 g.mm;
• rotor drive: BU;
• drive power: 200 W;
• energy source:
  • 400V ±10%,
  • 3 Ph,
  • 50 Hz;
• measuring device CAB 803.