UTT-3000
The Universal Traction Machine (UTT) is the next generation of traction and rolling-sliding tribology testing. Designed for advanced lubricant, material, and electrified powertrain research, it accurately measures traction coefficients, friction behaviour, and Stribeck curves under precisely controlled contact conditions. Unlike conventional systems, the UTT covers an unmatched operating range—from mN to 2’000 N, −6 to 6 m/s, and cryogenic temperatures to 180°C—on a single platform. Patented high-precision force sensors, electrified contact capability, and exceptional environmental control provide researchers with the flexibility to reproduce real-world operating conditions and accelerate the development of high-performance lubricants, bearings, gears, and EV driveline technologies.
Key Features
- Wide Load Capability mN to 2'000 N (nano, micro, macro)
- High-Speed Testing from −6 to 6 m/s with Stable-Torque Servo Drives
- Electrified Traction Testing for EV Lubricants
- Automated Traction Coefficient, Stribeck Curve, and Film Thickness
- Easy to Use, Compact
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.
Wide Load Capability mN to 2'000 N (nano, micro, macro)
Contact pressure determines which lubrication regime a fluid experiences. Selectable force sensors span mN to 2'000 N with closed-loop control and high resolution across the entire range. Screen a formulation in delicate low-pressure contacts or heavily loaded gear and bearing conditions — one platform, no instrument changes, no re-correlating data between machines
High-Speed Testing from −6 to 6 m/s with Stable-Torque Servo Drives
Two independently controlled closed-loop high-power servo drives rotate the ball and disc synchronously or asynchronously. This delivers a wide -6 to 6 m/s precise sliding-to-rolling ratio (SRR) range, so any application-specific traction test — pure rolling, pure sliding, or anything between — runs on one instrument.
Electrified Traction Testing for EV Lubricants
The UTT performs advanced electrified traction testing with programmable AC, DC, or custom voltage profiles up to 60 V and 3 A. Evaluate friction, traction, electrical contact resistance, and impedance under real operating conditions, enabling the development of lubricants and components for next-generation EV drivetrains and electrified systems.
Automated Traction Coefficient, Stribeck Curve, and Film Thickness
The UTT accurately measures traction coefficient versus slide-roll ratio (SRR), generates complete Stribeck curves across wide speed and load ranges, and evaluates lubricant film thickness. Automated test sequences provide comprehensive, repeatable data for lubricant rheology, friction behaviour, additive performance, and component optimization in a single platform.
Easy to Use, Compact
The UTT-3000 is easy to use — a new user is typically running tests in under 30 minutes. Recipe-driven profiles with separate expert and operator modes make it equally suited to research and quality control. The compact footprint saves lab space while still delivering the loads, speeds, and temperatures of real operating scenarios
Why Slide-to-Roll Ratio Testing Matters
Real mechanical contacts rarely operate under pure rolling. Gears, bearings, cams, and rolling elements experience a combination of rolling and sliding, making Slide-to-Roll Ratio (SRR) a critical parameter in traction, lubrication, and wear. The UTT uses two independent servo drives to precisely control any SRR—from pure rolling to pure sliding—allowing accurate mapping of traction coefficients and Stribeck behaviour under real operating conditions. Combined with precise load, speed, and temperature control, the UTT reproduces real-life contact conditions, providing the data needed to optimize lubricants, coatings, and mechanical components with confidence.
Electrify Your Traction Testing
The UTT-3000 enables advanced tribological testing under AC, DC, or programmable voltage conditions, accurately simulating the electrical environments found in EVs and electrified powertrains. Evaluate lubricants, greases, and thermal fluids while measuring traction, friction, electrical contact resistance, and impedance to optimize efficiency, durability, and component reliability under real operating conditions.
Environmental Chambers – Cryogenic to 180°C
The UTT-3000 combines advanced temperature control with rolling-sliding tribology to reproduce real-world operating conditions. Test from cryogenic temperatures to 180°C, enabling comprehensive characterization of lubricant performance, traction behaviour, and friction across the full range of automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Industries
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Gears and gearboxes
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Automotive industry bearings, transmission systems, and sustainable materials and lubricants
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Power transmission industry systems and roller bearings
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Industrial cyclic operations
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Renewable energy wind turbines
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Aerospace industry research of gears, bearings, and engine parts
Technical Information
| Load Range | 0 to 2'000 N |
| Slide-Roll Ratio (SRR) | - 10'000 to + 10'000% |
| Speed | -6 to 6 m/s |
| Temperature range | Cryogenic to 180°C |
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.