Mastering dynamic environments: Advanced environmental testing master class 2026

Dynamic Environmental shaker testing plays a critical role in ensuring that products can withstand the demanding conditions they encounter during real-world operation. From aerospace and defense systems to automotive electronics and marine equipment, engineers must verify that components can survive vibration, shock and other dynamic loads throughout their lifecycle.

To support engineers working in these challenging environments, Siemens hosted the Advanced Environmental Testing Master Class 2026, a three-day in-person training event held in Leuven, Belgium, from February 10–12. The event brought together engineers and industry specialists eager to deepen their understanding of advanced vibration and shock testing methodologies while gaining practical experience through hands-on sessions.

Participants from multiple industries joined the sessions to explore modern dynamic environmental testing techniques, exchange experiences and learn how advanced testing strategies can help ensure reliable product performance.

A deep dive into advanced vibration and shock testing

The master class welcomed around 40 participants from a diverse range of companies and countries, creating a collaborative environment for engineers working in environmental and vibration testing. Attendees represented several industries, including aerospace, aviation, defense, automotive and marine, reflecting the broad importance of dynamic testing across modern engineering applications.

Over three days, participants explored a comprehensive agenda covering topics ranging from vibration control theory to advanced testing techniques such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) vibration control, pyroshock testing, mission synthesis and virtual shaker testing. In addition to the technical sessions, attendees also participated in hands-on exercises, preparing setups and running vibration tests to apply the methodologies discussed during the lectures.

Presentations from the Industry added impactful dimension

Special moments were numerous, with engaging panel discussions featuring experts from industry and academics who shared insights into the challenges of such critical certification tests and latest advancements within the aerospace testing domain.

Expert guest speakers for the Advanced Environmental Testing Master Class 2026  included, next to Siemens experts:

• Matteo Appolloni, Senior Mechanical Engineer at ESA
• David Toyer, Environmental Technical Expert MBDA UK
• Antonio Alvino, Technical Director at SERMS
• Carmine Carandente Tartaglia, AIT Engineer and Assunta Sorrentino, Senior Engineer, both at CIRA

Hands-on activities: learning by doing

There is no better way to learn than by doing the test by yourself. During the hands-on activities planned every day of the masterclass, participants were split into small groups and ran the entire test sequence by themselves. Small shaker setups allowed participants to rehearse the different steps of the test from instrumentation check to actual data collection and analysis with various control methods.

Hands-on sessions: participants practiced the different dynamic  environmental shaker testing solutions

Unique learning and networking opportunity

One of the invaluable aspects of the masterclass was the opportunity for attendees to network with like-minded individuals. Whether during breakout sessions, lunches or informal networking sessions, participants had many opportunities to exchange ideas and forge new connections.

Aside from meeting their peers from various countries and different companies, participants also exchanged with experts from Siemens and guest speakers from the industry and the academic world. Attendance of Melissa Maze, representatives from PCB Piezotronics, also allowed participants to learn about latest sensors technologies.

Panel discussion with experts from the industry

Feedback from attendees echoed a resounding appreciation for the depth and breadth of knowledge shared by the Siemens experts and the guest speakers. Participants found the masterclass not only informative but also instrumental in expanding their understanding of dynamic environmental shaker  testing.

Learning how to avoid common pitfalls in vibration and shock testing, gaining insights into advanced excitation and control techniques, understanding how proper parameter settings contribute to a successful test while avoiding overtesting of the test item, and seeing how the collected data fits within the broader verification and validation process were some of the key takeaways of the master class.

Many also highlighted the perfect balance between theoretical presentations and live demonstrations. One participant noted:

“For me the hands-on is really important. You can go to class for a long time an do not pick-out anything, but once you put hands-on people understand what they are looking at”

Advancing dynamic environmental testing capabilities

Environmental shaker testing remains a critical step in the validation process for modern engineering systems. Engineers must reproduce complex operational environments while complying with strict qualification standards.

Through a balanced combination of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on exercises, the Advanced Environmental Testing Master Class 2026 provided attendees with valuable knowledge and practical skills in advanced vibration and shock testing.

Participants left the event with new insights, practical experience and professional connections that will help them tackle future environmental testing challenges with greater confidence.

Siemens is continually pushing the boundaries of environmental testing, and our dynamic master class highlighted one such innovative technique: the virtual shaker approach. With powerful tools like Simcenter Testlab RT, engineers can simulate real-time virtual models of spacecraft and their testing environments. This allows for virtual test executions, fine-tuned control parameters, and validated strategies – truly a dress rehearsal for a complex mission. This forward-thinking approach garnered significant interest from an audience keenly aware of the challenges associated with testing multi-million dollar assets.

Virtual shaker testing running: simulated control running on Simcenter Testlab RT (dark blue) against real test with physical setup (pink)

If you missed this masterclass, stay tuned for updates on our future events. In the meantime, if you want to learn more on dynamic environmental shaker testing , check out these links: