Supply of Spin Test Facility to University of Sheffield for Rotor Research

About

The University of Sheffield awarded a contract to Schenck RoTec GmbH for the acquisition of a spin-test facility (spin-rig) to support research in high-speed rotating components and assemblies.

The facility, funded by Innovate UK, will be part of a UK-wide network available to industry and academia for R&D and supply chain development in power electronics, machines and drives.

Its principal role is to facilitate mechanical testing, model validation, and certification of high-performance electrical machine rotors, including determining burst speeds and assessing burst nature, as well as characterizing rotors and shaft assemblies for radial growth and low-cycle fatigue.

The system includes an evacuated chamber and drive mechanism for quantifying mechanical response over a prescribed speed range.

The facility will also support wider rotatives research at the University of Sheffield, including tool assemblies, compressor, and turbine parts.

It will be located in an existing industrial unit at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with a 400mm thick cast concrete floor, extensive services, large loading doors, and a 10-tonne overhead crane.

The contract value is £1,039,900.