The operational reliability and effective lifespan of system components invariably depends on thoroughly considering the consequences of any interacting component surfaces in relative motion at the earliest stage of their development.
With Âin-service operations increasingly being conducted in harsher environments, often adding the demands of low maintenance and extended lifespans, RAPRA has adopted this area of R&D as its theme for Surface World Live 2017.
Tribology is a branch of mechanical engineering and materials science that includes the study and application of the principles of friction, lubrication and wear. By investigating technical challenges related to current and potential manufacturing processes, researchers can equip systems designer engineers with extended knowledge and novel solutions to ensure they achieve optimum operating performance characteristics and Âfit for purpose durability.
The RAPRA Polymer Helpdesk regularly receives requests for assistance from companies in major supply chains, where they are pushing the boundaries of performance for their manufacturing processes and products. These challenges often come as a result of more demanding specifications from OEMs, so for the sake of the business need to be addressed quickly and efficiently.
Consequently, as these new requirements regularly drive companies to look outside their established technical Âcomfort zoneÂ, the questions of risk and trust are crucial when seeking external help to solve technical issues.
This is where the RAPRA Technical Support Network comes into its own. With access to an unrivalled range of tried and trusted testing, analysis and investigative technical expertise, not only in polymers, but a growing range of other materials used in conjunction with plastics, rubber and composites, the helpdesk aims to be the one place you need to go.
Another part of the RAPRA remit is to bring news of the latest technological developments to the attention of Industry. A solution developed for a specific application (usually at considerable cost) can often be employed to solve a similar challenge in a completely different setting. RAPRA has always encouraged this kind of innovation as it results in the most effective exploitation of new technologies.
Surface World 2017 will include a technical presentation at 3.00pm on the 22nd March by an eminent speaker from the RAPRA support network, which includes commercial laboratories, universities and other government funded research facilities. The speaker will cover an important aspect of the latest research in the area of tribology, so should be attended as it will be relevant to a wide range of industry sectors.
If you want more information about RAPRA and its Polymer Helpdesk, please visit www.rapra.org
The Polymer Helpdesk is a service provided primarily for RAPRA members, however limited use is available to any company in any industry sector.
