An open-access rotor spin test capability, the first-of-its-kind in the UK, has been installed at the AMRC for high-performance electrical machines and rotating machinery.
The equipment has been made possible by funding from UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and secured by UK-based manufacturing innovation network, Driving the Electric Revolution Industrial Centres (DER-IC), to support the industry in developing the manufacturing technology needed to reach net zero.
£1.2 million of this funding has been allocated to help establish a world-class spin testing capability to support the design, manufacture and validation of electrical machine rotors and other rotating components.
The Schenck Centrio 100 test system, installed at the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 facility will allow component-level testing at speed and elevated temperatures to simulate in-service conditions.
Together with the other capabilities at the AMRC, which is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the technology will enable the ability to quickly manufacture, test and iterate design and processes for high-performance electrical machines and rotating machinery – closing the loop between design, manufacturing and performance.
DER-IC is a UK-wide network of over 30 university and research and technology organisations (RTOs) aiming to grow UK manufacturing capability in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) by providing open-access to expertise and state-of-the-art manufacturing, test and validation equipment.
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In a statement, Geraint Jewell, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Sheffield University, said: “This £1.2 million investment in the UK’s first open-access, high-speed rotor spin test capability at the AMRC is a major boost for UK manufacturing and our drive to net zero.
“The combination of the size of rotors which can be tested and the state-of-the-art instrumentation will accelerate the development of next-generation hybrid and electric propulsion, strengthening our global competitiveness and reinforcing the UK’s leadership in green technologies.”
Professor Mike Capaldi, Chair of DER-IC, added: “Due to the lack of a UK-based open-access facility for high-speed rotor spin testing and certification, UK manufacturers are often compelled to offshore essential testing such as product certification – facing long lead-times and limited availability. This reduces the overall access to testing during process and product development making advanced rotor testing rare despite the benefits and cost savings it could yield. The installation of this equipment is a significant milestone in our mission to grow UK manufacturing in PEMD to power net zero.”
High demand for the facility is expected from the growing UK aerospace economy due to its requirement for high-power and high-speed rotors, along with demand from the motorsport sector and mainstream automotive in the future.
The rotor spin tester will be available at the AMRC site to support commercial, collaborative and board-directed research projects from April 2025 following the commission process.
More information on how to work with DER-IC or the equipment at AMRC can be found here.
