Axiomatic Design of a Multi-Directional Motion Pin on Disk Apparatus for Biotribology Study Available to Purchase

A new multidirectional motion pin-on-disk (MPOD) apparatus was designed, built and validated. Multidirectional motion was proven to have influence on the wear behaviour due to the difference in shear stress, especially in biotribology experiments for prosthetic joint materials. This MPOD was designed to realize the ‘adhesive polishing’ effect observed in multidirectional sliding wear test. Following axiomatic design principle, several modules, such as loading unit, motion generation and pin guiding modules were developed according to the uncoupled design matrix. Force transducers were assembled separately in X and Y direction for precisely measuring, and a frequency control system was assembled to provide a wide range of rotation speed. Preliminary tests were performed by using ultra high molecular weight polyethylene pins against zirconium oxide disks, and the experimental results were analyzed and compared with those observed in unidirectional wear tester.