Medical
If you’re working with rotors operate at high speed and subject to significant centrifugal load, you need to ensure these parts won’t fail, permanently lose their designed functionality, or burst as a result of overload or from fatigue. To prevent these issues, Test Devices offers reliable testing and data for rotors used in many medical applications.
The experts at Test Devices perform a careful review and work with the customers to create a realistic and pragmatic test solutions. In the process, we can help validate the accuracy of our customers’ lifting models, working to minimize the risk of premature component failures in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Testing for Centrifuge Rotors
A wide range of applications in the biomedical industry use centrifuges, which consist of a compartment that rotates on a central axis. This rotation leads to the separation of materials based on their varying densities. Applications may use one of three kinds of centrifuge rotors, including fixed-angle, swing-bucket, and vertical rotors.
Why Should You Test Centrifuge Rotors?
Many biomedical centrifuges are designed to function in laboratory settings with people working nearby. If the centrifuge fails unexpectedly, it could present a safety hazard, as the rotating parts could build up a considerable amount of kinetic energy while spinning at high speeds.
To validate the design integrity and durability of centrifuge rotors, Test Devices can conduct the following tests:
Proof Tests
These tests involve spinning test rotors to their intended design speed—which may be at or above 120-150%—to confirm their design integrity in the process. We offer the ability to observe rotors’ in-situ deformation along with their dynamic stabilities.
Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) Tests
LCF tests are spin tests performed under cyclic loads to simulate the machine’s run-up and run-down cycles. At Test Devices, we offer high-power drive systems that can help reduce cycle times and subsequently test schedules.
Using our patented Real-Time Crack Detection System (RT-CDS), we can cease testing before the rotor has the chance to fail catastrophically. This enables us to retain the test specimen with the full crack initiation location and propagation rate information to better understand and optimize the design. The reliability of the RT-CDS also allows for more efficient test schedules through reduced inspection requirements between each LCF test segment.
Burst Tests
We can also perform full failure tests of high-energy centrifuge rotors in our facility, which provides a safe and controlled testing environment. In addition, we can use advanced data measurement techniques such as high-speed video imaging to observe the customers’ rotor failure mode.
Choosing Test Devices for Your Proof Testing Medical Needs
For more than 40 years, Test Devices by SCHENCK has been the world’s leading provider of some of the most advanced rotational testing solutions and services. We work to gain a deep understanding of what each of our customers’ needs to develop the ideal testing setup. Subsequently, we can precisely and accurately simulate the many taxing conditions that centrifuge components will experience in various environments.
To facilitate the most realistic testing environment possible, we operate out of our 50,000-square-foot facility located in Hudson, Massachusetts, which contains the latest state-of-the-art testing technology. As industry leaders, we offer a variety of spin testing services and systems to international customers of all types. We are committed to providing top-quality products and services that meet or surpass individual customer requirements. We can achieve this through the innovation of products and processes, with services backed by ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications, along with the continual improvement of our reliable management system.
Reach Out to Test Devices to Get Started
The experts at Test Devices can help test and improve designs for centrifuge rotors and many other components based on your specific needs. If you have any questions about our spin test and balancing capabilities or want to discuss testing services for your systems, contact us today.
