Multi-axis vibration qualification testing: why bother? Why is this last step in a product development process an important one? And why do renowned universities like the University of Ferrara spend time and efforts to improve what seems like a well-known and well-defined procedure?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short: to reduce the time spent on testing and increase the fidelity of the results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are an essential step in a product development process. They help ensure that the said product will survive the environmental conditions it is exposed to during its lifetime. In particular, they verify that a system, including its subcomponents, is able to withstand the vibrations in its environment during its operational life. As such, they are crucial to prevent premature damage or failure of a system in operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main challenge of engineers is to replicate the of the system under test with a high degree of fidelity. The engineers are seeking to reproduce an often complex vibration environment in the laboratory. In real-life operational conditions, the vibration excitation of a structure (or complex system) is typically multi-directional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, in the laboratory, the system under test is usually placed on a shaker and excited along one to measure and understand its structural response. The current standard procedure for laboratory testing prescribes sequential single-axis tests (called sequential single-input single-output or SISO tests) to replicate multidirectional excitation. This practice has some technical and practical limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All the above are good reasons to look for a reliable and time-saving alternative. Multi-axial excitation, and more generally multi-input multi-output (MIMO) vibration control tests, are creating a <\/strong>buzz in the dynamic environmental testing community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of Ferrara pioneers research about multi-axis vibration testing. It is the first laboratory in Europe to rely on a 3-dimensional shaker to perform the tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what does it mean concretely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a look at the short video testimonial below.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPioneering research with multi-axis vibration testing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n