Ermüdungsprüfstand

An Ermüdungsprüfstand, also known as a fatigue testing machine or rig, is a piece of equipment used to determine the durability of materials or components under cyclic loading conditions. The primary purpose of an Ermüdungsprüfstand is to simulate the stresses and strains that a product will experience throughout its operational life, but in a significantly accelerated timeframe. This allows engineers and researchers to predict how long a material or part will last before failing due to fatigue.

These machines typically apply a repeating load to a specimen, such as tension, compression, bending, or torsion. The magnitude and frequency of this load are carefully controlled. The machine records the number of cycles the specimen endures before a crack initiates or the component fails completely. Different types of Ermüdungsprüfstände exist, varying in their method of load application (e.g., servo-hydraulic, electrodynamic) and the types of tests they can perform (e.g., constant amplitude, variable amplitude).

The data obtained from fatigue testing on an Ermüdungsprüfstand is crucial for product design and quality assurance. It helps in selecting appropriate materials, optimizing component geometry, and setting realistic service life expectations. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, civil engineering, and manufacturing rely heavily on these testing rigs to ensure the safety and reliability of their products under repeated stress.