An Original Setup Test Rig for Analysing Lubricated Contact Under Dynamic Normal Excitation Forces

This paper concerns a new experimental set-up based on an optical EHL machine fitted with a dynamic excitation system. The test rig has been built and presented in this paper. Apparatus design derives from two previously defined experimental test rig. With this new machine, we can study the dynamic behaviour of lubricated contacts under sliding conditions on the both tribological and dynamical point of view. It allows to measure the oil film thickness and to visualise the lubricated dynamically loaded contact under sliding condition. It allows also to measure the dynamic response (acceleration) of the loaded contact under harmonic or random external normal load excitation superimposed on a static one. Capabilities of the apparatus are given in this paper. In particular, theoretical and experimental results concerning the system natural frequencies.