By Claus Hegelund Sørensen, R&D Manager TECHLINE
Our already very robust TECHLINE products need to become even better.
In recent years in TECHLINE, we have had a determined focus on the agricultural and construction industries. We have succeeded in being recognised as the right alternative in relation to current hydraulic solutions.
This means that large and recognised players within this customer group are now increasingly demanding new features and make increased demands on durability. We strive to meet these new requirements.
Among the features that have been introduced thanks to close customer collaboration, we can mention the LINbus proportional control interface and the ability to run at very low and high temperatures. In addition, there are also significantly increased demands on the electronics with regard to EMC, load pulses etc.
Very high demands
The really big challenge we are facing right now is the new and very high requirements for vibration resistance. One might ask why this is necessary.
However, if you imagine a tractor that is made to run day in day out on a ploughed field, where there is the expectation that the actuator must work, it is not so hard to understand why the actuator must be very robust.
When we talk about vibration resistance, there are many parameters. It is therefore difficult to make an immediate comparison of the various tests.
However, in a slightly simplified manner we can say that the new requirements we must meet are approximately five times greater than the vibration test we have passed previously. Therefore, there is no ”easy go”.
What is vibration?
Vibration is a complex variable that is affected by the following factors:
- The direction of the vibration (X,Y,Z)
- Low Frequency / High Frequency / [Hz]
- Time [Hour]
- Level [g2/Hz]
We cannot make an immediate comparison of how the various factors affect the actuator. Ultimately, this can only be documented by testing.
Eliminating the weakest areas
Traditionally, we just tested our products and found that we fulfilled the requirements. However, today the requirements are significantly greater, so we have invested in calculation and simulation tools to simulate the various stress loads on the products and find their weakest areas. Furthermore, we have employed a designated expert in the field. An expert who has now undergone advanced training, and who enables LINAK to act very professionally to the customer queries we receive.
Relentlessly working to improve
Despite the fact that we can in fact calculate and simulate our way to better solutions, we will not stop testing. In order to be able to live up to still tighter international test requirements, we have needed to invest in a new and much larger shaking tester. This enables us to test in accordance with the standards required and expected by a top brand like LINAK. Finally, this also makes us able to verify construction changes quickly and accordingly.
