With the ever increasing demand for passenger comfort, safety, speed and environmental issues, all provided cost effectively, the tasks for research and quality assurance are becoming increasingly complex.

State-of-the-art test system technology allows the cost effective optimisation of components and complete vehicles. Theoretical assumptions can be proved in the development laboratory. Close to reality simulations under controlled repeatable conditions can clearly substitute for costly track test runs.
For this reason Renk designed a roller test rig in co-operation with German Railways capable of testing wheel sets up to 300km/h. Hydraulic actuators allow a high dynamical simulation of all applied radial and axial forces and the RENK control system mimics profiles of pre-recorded 'real track'.
Another special designed test rig provides the essential means to correctly performance test axle bearings, avoid unscheduled operational breakdowns and to rapidly determine long service life durability, all under repeatable conditions. Important influences of ambient temperature and the cooling effects of head wind on the internal temperature of the axle bearings must not be underestimated and these environmental and dynamic effects are all considered within this particular RENK test system, for speeds up to 180km/h.
For brake testing, the Renk test rig simulates the actual carriage mass using automatically changeable flywheels combined with electrical mass simulation, while the integrated climatic chamber allows brake component evaluation under the most extreme weather conditions.

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Renk Aktiengesellschaft is based in Augsburg, Germany. www.renk.de