Research and Development Centre

The Research and Development Centre of PONAR Wadowice is dedicated to improving existing products and exploring new solutions in fluid power and high-pressure water systems.

Thanks to this, our product range is continuously expanded with new product types and innovative system solutions, while existing fluid power components are further developed with new functional variants. The Centre is responsible for conducting R&D work on fluid power elements and complete hydraulic systems characterized by an innovative and optimized approach to the operation of machinery and equipment

Modern Technical Facilities Dynamic product and service development is made possible through advanced technical facilities equipped with, among other things:

• a hydraulic dynamometer with energy recovery for testing high-power hydraulic drives and systems
• a test rig for cylinder testing with external loading on the piston side
• a valve test rig
• a test rig for the development of load-sensing systems
• a test rig for testing hydraulically driven planetary gearboxes
• a climatic chamber for valve testing
• a vibration simulation test rig for testing valves designed for mobile applications
• a pump test rig
• an oil laboratory.

The Research and Development Centre provides:

• the capability to test cylinders under loads up to 70 tonnes
• the capability to maintain a constant torque within the range of 0 to 3,000 rpm
• energy recovery -> reducing test power consumption by 85%
• testing of planetary gearboxes driven by hydraulic motors under a full 130 kNm load
• long-term testing of pumps and systems under continuous loads up to 200 kW power
• testing of valves at flow rates up to 700 l/min and pressures of 400 bar
• testing of hydraulic components in extreme conditions from -70 to +800 °C
• vibration resistance testing of hydraulic components up to 100 Hz

The Research and Development Centre is equipped with calculation and simulation software: ANSYS/Fluent/CFX (for flow simulation), Matlab/SIMULINK, INVENTOR ULTIMATE (for FEA stress analysis), ALTIUM DESIGNER (for electronic circuit and PCB design), and Data Acquisition software.

Research & Development at PONAR Wadowice S.A. delivers:

• the capability to replicate load conditions close to the actual operating realities of a hydraulic component or system
• the capability for long-term endurance testing
• energy savings during testing thanks to energy recovery
• minimization of the customer’s “testing grounds” exposure
• the capability to reliably verify project assumptions or possible variants with the customer in the early pre-seed phase
• the capability to record or stream live video online to customers during system testing – enabling remote customer participation in tests at the Łaziska Górne plant
• an expanded portfolio of services offered by PONAR Wadowice S.A., covering broadly defined R&D activities
• cost optimization thanks to a 100% tax relief allowance for R&D projects
• the provision of technology, expertise, know-how, and experience

Patented Technologies: Alongside the growth of its research capabilities, PONAR Wadowice develops modern technologies with a wide range of industrial applications. As the largest Polish manufacturer of fluid power solutions, employing over 130 engineers, our company strives to protect its proprietary solutions through appropriate legal frameworks. We currently hold active patents in the area of fluid power elements and high-pressure systems, with additional applications submitted to the Patent Office awaiting examination. We aim to ensure that our developed solutions find application across many sectors, contributing to improved equipment performance and quality, enhanced safety, and better environmental protection.

EU Projects: PONAR Wadowice S.A. has completed the project “Expansion of the PONAR R&D Centre by establishing the Research and Development Department for Hydraulic Drives”, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020, Sub-measure 2.1 Support for investments in R&D infrastructure of enterprises.

The completed project “Research and development work on an innovative, highly efficient, and eco-friendly system for cleaning vessel hulls” was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under Sub-measure 1.2 of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020. The project was carried out as part of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) competition: INNOship-II.

Our company has also completed the project “Development of R&D activities through the construction of the Research and Development Centre for Hydraulic Systems and Components, and High-Pressure Systems of PONAR Wadowice S.A.” under Sub-measure 2.1 Support for investments in R&D infrastructure of enterprises of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

PONAR Wadowice S.A., operating in a consortium with TOWIMOR S.A. from Toruń, has completed the project “Research and development work on the design of an innovative ship winch system intended for operation in arctic conditions”, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020, Measure 1.1, Sub-measure 1.1.1 Fast Track.