TETO - Entwicklung eines innovativen Mehrkoordinatenantriebes für biomedizintechnische Tension-Torsion-Prüfanwendungen mit gesteigerter Leistungsdichte

One of the main causes of premature failure of hip implants is “stress shielding,” which is caused by too great a difference in mechanical stiffness between an implant and the original bone structure. This effect can be counteracted by improving the mechanical properties of the implant so that they better match those of the bone structure being replaced. In order to characterize the mechanical properties of implants, high-precision testing machines are required that realistically simulate the stresses occurring in the human body. Due to the declining age of patients and the resulting increase in activity levels, the demands on the mechanical load capacity of prostheses are increasing. In order to meet these new requirements, new testing machines must be developed that can simulate the higher dynamic loads and complex, multidimensional test movement sequences.

Objectives

The TETO cooperation project aims to develop a tension/torsion testing machine with a compact multi-coordinate drive that meets the requirements for testing in biomedical engineering. The aim is to use the multi-coordinate drive to actuate both test movements with a single drive, thereby reducing the moving mass and avoiding the need for a mechanical coupling element. This increases the dynamics of the testing machine and its power density.

Benefits

• Increased power density and dynamics
• Realization of a drive without limiting the angle of rotation
• Application in high-purity biomedical testing environments

Approach

As part of the “TETO” project, a novel tension-torsion testing machine is being developed in cooperation with the Chemnitz Institute of Mechanical and Plant Engineering (ICM), Elektrische Automatisierungs und Antriebstechnik GmbH Chemnitz, and DYNA-Mess Prüfsysteme GmbH. To this end, an existing prototype of a multi-coordinate drive from the IFW is being further developed and optimized for the application. This includes an increase in power density and a novel hydrostatic bearing that meets the requirements of the high-purity biomedical testing environment.

Are you also interested in a cooperation project?

Contact Julian Manthei via email at manthei@ifw.uni.hannover.de or by phone at +49 511 762 18385.