Fatigue Damage Spectrum

The Fatigue Damage Spectrum (FDS) serves as a pivotal tool in the assessment of structural integrity, portraying the relationship between damage and natural frequency across the frequency domain. Its utility extends to testing laboratories, empowering them to craft precise Random vibration test profiles by analyzing acceleration vibration data derived from real-world environments. By using the FDS, these labs can accurately delineate the damage experienced by structures under dynamic loads, facilitating the development of robust testing protocols essential for ensuring product reliability and safety.

Multi-Shaker Push-Push Vibration Test

Multiple shaker systems are typically used for vibration testing when the unit under test (UUT) is too long or too heavy to test with a single shaker. This approach overcomes the limitations of high drive requirements with a single shaker test. Multiple shaker systems also allow the UUT to be tested in various configurations and directions in the horizontal and vertical orientations.

Mode Shape Characterization

Shaker applications involve the use of many attachments to the shaker’s armature. Head expanders, fixtures, adapters, and devices under test (DUT’s), all attach to the shaker for the testing process. While it is common to simply consider the added mass of these components, their deformation during vibration can also have a significant impact on the vibrations experienced at any certain point of interest.

How to control a vibration test in EDM using a Python MQTT client

Users can monitor the status of environmental tests (vibration, temperature, humidity) operating in EDM VCS, measurements taken in EDM DSA, and remotely located tests by implementing MQTT in EDM.

Transducer Calibration Software

The new Transducer Calibration Software helps ensure accurate vibration test measurements by simplifying the calibration process, saving time, and confirming that measurements are performed within specifications.

Test Group feature in EDM Vibration Control Software

This article discusses a new EDM 11.0 release feature called Test Group, which organizes multiple tests into sections, to run in sequence, and shares test configurations. EDM allows users to configure and re-use the same test for the same or different objects. All configurations and test parameters are applied to a single test. Settings can be loaded and applied to a new test from a saved library. Test configurations are easily shared by sharing just the test file.

Quickly display many signals in stack plots and individual plots

Updated signal display features in Engineering Data Management (EDM) software, version 11.0 allows users to quickly add many signals in stack plots and individual plots.

How to control a vibration test in EDM using a Labview MQTT Client

Implementing MQTT in EDM allows users to remotely monitor and operate environmental tests (vibration, temperature, humidity) and take measurements using EDM DSA.

How to control a vibration test in EDM using a C# MQTT Client

The implementation of MQTT in EDM allows users to monitor the status of environmental tests (vibration, temperature, humidity) executed in EDM VCS, measurements taken in EDM DSA, and remotely operate a test.

MESA Sine on Random Vibration Control

This paper concentrates on the MESA Sine on Random control per MIL STD 810H, method 514.8, annex D, 2.3 category 14. This category governs Sine on Random control for helicopters.

Crystal Instruments designed and released the Spider-80M Multiple-Exciter Single-Axis (MESA) vibration controller in 2018. Further details regarding the MESA testing system are available on the Sentek Dynamics website. Detailed product specifications may be requested from the Crystal Instruments team.

Introducing SRS Predictive Notching

Shock Response Spectrum (SRS) testing is commonly required for defense applications. The UUTs are tested under significantly high levels of shock waveforms.

The concept of SRS predictive notching was proposed a few years ago to fully test UUTs and ensure their survival experiencing real-world vibrations while protecting it from over testing.

Vibration Test ControlJeff Zhao, Ph.D.April 25, 2022Environmental Testing

Dual Excitation Shaker Push-push Testing

Dual excitation shaker systems are commonly used to test long or heavy devices under test (DUT). When the device under test is very long or too heavy, a single shaker cannot perform the test because of oversized dimensions or a large driving force. Thus a dual excitation shaker system is arranged as the solution. Users can fix the longer sized or heavy DUT horizontally or vertically on top of a dual excitation shaker system. Common arrangements are horizontal push-push, push-pull, and vertical.

Understanding the Frequency Signature of a Head Expander

Head expanders are commonly used for vertical environmental testing. The purpose of the head expander is to extend the surface area of the shaker top to accommodate units under test (UUTs) with large dimensions for mounting and testing. One of the key parameters is the working frequency range associated with each head expander. The upper frequency is often used instead of the first resonance frequency of the head expander in vibration control tests.

Multi-Resolution Spectrum Analysis and Sine-on-Random Testing

In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of using Multi-Resolution, a feature available in Vibration Control Systems, to offer a better frequency resolution in the lower frequencies of the Sine-on-Random vibration spectrum. The same benefits are also applied to the general Random test, and Random-on-Random mixed mode test.

Vibration Test ControlScott Zhuge - Director of ProductSeptember 29, 2020Environmental Testing

Digital Input and Output Communication on the Spider Platform

Digital Input and Output (DIO) is the most popular interface for communicating and interacting with external instruments. Each digital input and output channel has two states: high or low. The Spider can respond to the state of a digital input channel from an external instrument or send a digital output to an external instrument.

Earthquake Testing on a Three-Axis Shaker System

Earthquake testing is a crucial process that is used to determine the seismic performance of a structure. The utilization of a physical testing method helps users better understand the complexity involved in earthquake forces. A shaker table is typically used to execute a physical method of testing. The results from earthquake testing are used to optimize the design and material properties of the unit under test.

Spiders with 256 kHz Sampling Rate

Crystal Instruments EDM 9.0 release introduces new additions to the Spider product line featuring support for sampling rates up to 256 kHz.

The new Spider-80Hi and Spider-80Ci are scalable versions of the Spider system featuring the impressive new 256 kHz sampling rate. Recording can also be performed at sampling rates up to 256 kHz for all input channels, up to 512 channels per Spider system.

The compact, ultra-portable four channel version of the Spider has also been developed to support a 256 kHz sampling rate. Currently, three variations of the compact Spiders supporting the 256 kHz sampling rate are available: Spider-20H, Spider-20HE, Spider-20i.

ISTA 6-Amazon.com Performance Testing with Crystal Instruments Environmental Testing Solutions

The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) partnered with Amazon.com to develop the 6-Amazon.com testing series to challenge the capability of packages and products to withstand transportation standards while utilizing the general simulation of actual transport hazards. Please note that these tests may not comply with carrier packaging regulations and are designed only to address transportation hazards.

Vibration Test ControlCrystal InstrumentsMarch 19, 2020Environmental Testing

Advantages of Socket Message Features in EDM Vibration Control System (VCS) Software

A socket client can send messages to EDM and may receive data or an acknowledgment message as a reply. Users can configure the event-action rules of a vibration control system (VCS) test to send socket messages to a socket client when certain system events occur.

Vibration Testing Fully Connected Cars

Vibration testing of automotive components helps manufacturers ensure both a sound design and improved reliability. The current growing demand for electric vehicles has placed battery testing into the spotlight and as a result, attention for vibration tests of electric vehicle batteries has increased.