This test rig is designed to simulate the conditions inside a vacuum X-Ray tube to test various dry lubricant changes under controlled conditions. Previous testing required the build up of prototype X-ray tubes with the desired bearing combinations, an expensive and time consuming task, which reduces production output for engineering testing. The new test chamber aids manufacturing productivity with minimized impact on manufacturing floor operations and personnel.
 

solid model of the bearing tester

image of the body of vacuum chamber

The bearings are exposed to a thermal gradient inside of the X-ray tube. Below are a few images of the assembly that housed the bearings and the shaft. All the pieces pictured in the top left image were brazed into one assembly, as seen in the right image. The copper pieces were designed to act as a heat sink in order to produce the correct thermal gradient across the bearings.
 

Below is the completed test rig.  The wheel in the left image is used to put the entire chamber on an angle. This produces different loading conditions on the bearings that, in turn, may change the life expectancy.