MPT-3000
The MPT-3000 is a high-load, high-speed micro pitting tester that generates multi-million-cycle micropitting and rolling contact fatigue data in lubricated rolling-sliding contacts. The triple-disc platform combines closed-loop loads up to 5,000 N, slide-to-roll ratios from pure rolling to pure sliding, lubricant temperatures from cryogenic to 160°C, and electrified testing for modern drivetrains.
Key Features
- Closed-Loop High Load Capability up to 5000N
- High-Torque Motors for High-Load, High-Speed Testing
- Accelerated Fatigue Testing
- Realistic Operating Sliding Rolling Conditions
- Electrified Testing
Manufacturer
Rtec Instruments
Rtec Instruments develops and manufactures advanced mechanical and surface testing and measurement solutions for research and industrial applications. They specialise in combining techniques that provide a unique perspective in material testing. Their testers include tribometer, profilometer, scratch tester, high-temperature indenter, and corrosion testers. Furthermore, their testers provide the most robust and versatile platform in the market for testing friction, wear, adhesion, hardness, roughness, and film thickness from nano to macro-scale.
Closed-Loop High Load Capability up to 5000N
The MPT-3000 delivers up to 5000 N of closed-loop controlled load, ensuring stable and precise contact forces throughout the test. This enables accurate simulation of severe rolling contact conditions and highly repeatable micro pitting and fatigue experiments for gears, bearings, coatings, and lubricants.
High-Torque Motors for High-Load, High-Speed Testing
MPT-3000 comes with 220 and 308/480V (3 to 10KW motors) motor configurations that allows to test at very high torques, high load and high speed. This allows to do test close to real life scenarios.
Accelerated Fatigue Testing
The MPT-3000 accumulates millions of contact cycles in a short time (1 Million cycles in 5.5 hrs), enabling rapid evaluation of rolling contact fatigue and micropitting behaviour. Development time for lubricants, coatings, and materials drops significantly while results stay reliable and repeatable.
Realistic Operating Sliding Rolling Conditions
Independent motor control sets any slide-to-roll ratio from 0% (pure rolling) to 200% (pure sliding), with lubricant temperatures cryo to 160°C. Researchers replicate the true contact conditions of gears, bearings, and rolling elements on one platform.
Electrified Testing
An integrated AC or DC power source applies controlled electrical conditions across the contact. Study the effect of electrification on the test area, or analyse lubricant film thickness directly from electrical data.
Micropitting Testing Data
The data on the right shows the coefficient of friction results from a three-disc rolling contact fatigue setup. Surface treatments were done on one sample. This data illustrates which improvement in RCF life after the thermal spray coating application.
Sample 1 – uncoated
Sample 2 – thermal spray coating
- 500 N force
- SRR from 0 to 0.6
- Temperature 70°C
For researchers, the Micropitting Tester provides consistent data under controlled laboratory conditions.
Damaged Area Percentage (DAP)
The Micro Pitting Tester (3 Rollers), combined with the Rtec-Instruments UP-3000 3D Optical Profiler, enables precise quantification of surface damage through Damaged Area Percentage (DAP) analysis. After testing, the roller or pin surface is scanned in 3D to identify and measure micro-pitting damage.
Using a user-defined depth threshold, the software automatically distinguishes damaged regions from the intact surface. Areas exceeding the threshold depth are displayed in black, while unaffected areas remain white, providing a clear visual representation of surface degradation.
The calculated Damaged Area Percentage (DAP) serves as a quantitative metric for comparing micro-pitting performance under different operating conditions, including varying loads, lubrication regimes, rolling speeds, material combinations, and surface treatments. This objective analysis helps researchers and engineers evaluate wear mechanisms, optimize lubricants, improve material selection, and validate component durability.
Electrified Data
An integrated potentiostat with AC or DC power sources applies controlled electrical conditions across the contact. Study the effect of electrification on the test area, or analyse lubricant film thickness directly from electrical data. The data shows transition from Ohmic to Capacitive Behaviour over lubrication regimes. Notably, the performance of the Micropitting Tester under electric potential is critical for obtaining accurate micro-pitting results.
Why Our Triple Disc Machine Outperforms Conventional Systems?
Traditional triple-disc testers often provide limited flexibility and control over real operating conditions. Our next-generation Triple Disc Machine is therefore engineered to go further — delivering greater precision, stability, and experimental versatility.
Advanced control of rolling/sliding ratios, contact pressure, speed, and lubrication regimes consequently allows accurate simulation of real applications such as gears, bearings, and rolling elements. As a result, researchers can confidently study rolling contact fatigue (RCF), pitting, and micro-pitting under realistic and repeatable conditions.
Furthermore, high mechanical rigidity, precision drives, and advanced monitoring systems ensure stable contact conditions and highly repeatable results, even during long endurance tests.
With its modular architecture and research-grade instrumentation, the system additionally provides deeper insight into material performance, coating durability, and lubricant behaviour. It thus supports both advanced tribology research and industrial development.
Customer Testimonials for 3-Roller Tester
- “Essential for Wind Turbine Gearbox Testing”
Tribology Specialist, Renewable Energy Industry“The Triple Disc Machine enables us to replicate the rolling contact conditions present in wind turbine gearboxes and study micro-pitting and fatigue with excellent repeatability. It has become an essential platform for evaluating coatings and lubricants for long-term turbine reliability.
- “A Game-Changer for Gear Durability Testing”
Senior Tribology Engineer, Automotive Transmission Manufacturer“The Triple Disc Machine allows us to reproduce real gear contact conditions and study micro-pitting and rolling contact fatigue with excellent repeatability. It has become a key tool for evaluating coatings, materials, and lubricants during gearbox development.”
Industries
-
Gears and gearboxes
-
Automotive industry bearings, transmission systems, and sustainable materials and lubricants
-
Power transmission industry systems and roller bearings
-
Industrial cyclic operations
-
Renewable energy wind turbines
-
Aerospace industry research of gears, bearings, and engine parts
Technical Information
| Load Range | 2,000N / 5,000N (High load model) |
| Torque | Up to 60 Nm (with 480 V) |
| Slide-Roll Ratio (SRR) | 0% (pure rolling) to 200％ (pure sliding) |
| Entrainment speed | Up to 5.0 m/s (depends on centre pin size). |
| Temperature range | Cryo to 160°C |
| Motor Power | 3 to 10kW motors |
Videos
Watch the MPT-3000 Micropitting Rig in Action
Downloads
Testing Lubricants, Fuels, Greases and Metalworking Fluids
Micropitting Tester MPT-3000
Surface and Materials Testers Product Overview
Micropitting Accelerated Test for Tribo-Elements Sliding Parts of EV
Related Products
Service Support
Comprehensive repairs and servicing
Annual Support Programs
Your metrology instrumentation is a major investment that is critical to your business operation and success. In today’s competitive climate, it is more important than ever to extend the functionality and peak performance of your metrology equipment years beyond the expiration of your factory warranty. CN Tech’s Support Programs will help ensure that your investment is protected, and that you and your instrument’s are always operating at peak performance.
With over 20 years’ experience servicing and repairing you can be assured that your system is in safe hands. The independent services we offer include system relocation, maintenance visits, parts and consumables, and break down interventions.
CN Tech’s Support Programs are an economical way to guarantee optimal working condition:
- Annual Preventive Maintenance
- Priority Technical Assistance
- Preferred Parts Availability
- On-Site User Training
- Remote Diagnostics
- No surprise repair expense and much more!
Support Contact Example
An example of our service and support contracts are shown below:
Metrology & Instrumentation Annual Support Programs 2024/25
CN Tech's Support Programs will help ensure that your investment is protected, and that you and your instrument’s are always operating at peak performance.