Testing and validation services in a new light

Liebherr has over 20 years’ in-depth experience in testing and validation. The Liebherr components team on site in Biberach has carried out an average of 200 test assignments recently. This is made possible by a broad portfolio of test benches — including some that are unique in Europe. Among them are a 40-metre-high rope winch test bench and two test benches for slewing bearings with a raceway diameter of up to 4.5 metres. This range of services is not only available to Liebherr-own companies but is now also open to companies outside the Liebherr Group.

How does this work and what services are included? The focus is on product testing and trials, which form a central part of product development at Liebherr: The portfolio ranges from validating functional performance to service life testing of entire drive technology products. These include, for instance, slewing bearings, gearboxes, ropes and rope winches, as well as quality-critical component parts, such as gear teeth, bearings and seals.

Accelerated testing methods, such as the H.A.L.T. principle (Highly Accelerated Lifetime Test), enable the simulation of stress that would only be reached after many years of continuous operation in the field. This early fault detection in the test laboratory improves product quality and reduces failure, complaint and repair costs. “Once a product or application reaches a certain level of complexity, testing under real conditions becomes essential,” emphasises Dr. Jan Parlow, group leader at drive technology. “The flexibility of the test benches enables us to offer our services to a wide range of industries and applications – the only decisive factors are technical feasibility and the ability to replicate all required and relevant boundary conditions.”

Liebherr’s Basic Development and Technical Testing department is also at the forefront in the fields of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI). As products are increasingly equipped with sensor technology, these functions are naturally considered in the tests. AI supports, for example, the design and evaluation of tests and is also used in other tasks.

Collaboration with the Liebherr components team in Biberach is characterised by direct communication, technological expertise and innovative strength. Thus, customers benefit from an experienced team that carries out tests in a well-thought-through and structured manner. The procedure is precisely documented and provided in a report at the end of the tests. On request, the team assists with interpreting the results and provides recommendations for product improvement. Depending on the specific order, the test benches can be adapted to meet the customer’s requirements. Ultimately, by collaborating with Liebherr as a renowned partner, business partners save a great deal of time and money in their own product development when they draw on Liebherr’s existing portfolio of test benches and its knowledge base, including the technological expertise.

Dr. Parlow summarises: “Our aim is to ensure long-lasting results for safe and market-ready products. As a rule, an untested component can lead to unexpected and, above all, costly failures in use. That is why carefully conducted tests are crucial for product quality, particularly in mechanical engineering.”