Commissioning of modular 10kW magnetically levitated test rig

In the complex rotor bearing systems all the components and control are interdependent. Changes in one non-modular element might require complete system redesign. Research on high-speed levitated blowers, pumps and compressors requires ability to test effectively different, often novel or customized, hardware and software components. This work introduces the laboratory test rig of modular construction especially designed to validate custom and novel components and control. The modularity imposes challenges related to accurate manufacturing, concentricity, positioning accuracy, leveling, mechanical robustness, and to commissioning and control retuning. We present the overview of reconfigurable test platform, which comprises different rotors and actuator modules. The commissioning, control and identification results of first configuration of this modular test rig are described. The experimental results validate the modularity concept, mechanical tolerances of manufactured modules. The model-based linear multi-input multi-output control is successfully tested.