Steps for a Reduction of Vibrations of the Roller Guide in the Einstein-Elevator

Future microgravity experiments in the Einstein-Elevator of the Hannover Institute of Technology (HITec), which is currently under construction, could be disturbed seriously by external vibrations [1]. To avoid possible vibrations caused by the gondola´s guide previously, the behavior of the guide components such as rollers and guide rail is simulated by a test. In a first step the life time of the rollers is estimated by a life time calculation before they are stressed with 25,000 test runs of the special Einstein-Elevator´s speed profile on an ad hoc developed test rig. After this test, the fitness of the rollers and of the guide rail is determined for use in the facility by examining the components and analyzing the vibrations occurred during the test runs using a frequency analysis to trace them back to their cause.

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