Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has commissioned a new test bench designed to evaluate large-format shaft seals under real operating conditions. The facility will support the development and validation of seals for applications such as wind turbines, tunnel boring machines, and other heavy industrial equipment.
The test bench weighs around 56 tonnes, measures 9 by 7 by 4 metres, and can accommodate seals with diameters between 1,000 and 2,000 millimetres. Up to four seals can be mounted at once, supplied through two separate oil circuits. A specially developed module allows for a dynamic eccentricity of up to ±10 millimetres, simulating axle misalignment under heavy load – a key factor when testing main bearing seals in wind turbines.
The integrated climate chamber enables testing across temperatures from -30°C to +120°C, with pressure testing possible up to 15 bar. Additional resistance tests include exposure to moisture, dust, and dirt particles. All parameters can be individually adjusted, either manually or automatically.
