Vibration Testing

Vibration testing is the application of mechanical motion to a component, product, system or structure in order to observe its response or degradation over time.The vibration test is generally intended to simulate the expected real-world vibration in typical or worst-case applications. Usually, the test severity is substantially higher than typical real world vibration levels. This is done in order to do a test in hours, days or weeks that simulates years of product life.Vibration tests are usually performed in all 3 axial directions, one axis at a time. Shakers are typically oriented to shake the test sample in the vertical direction, and the test sample is rotated in order to apply vibration in other axial directions.

Types of Vibrations:

1. Sinusoidal Vibration It defines a procedure for testing specimens to sinusoidal vibrations over a specified frequency range for a given duration. It is applicable (but not limited) to products or components that are subjected to harmonic vibrations such as rotating, pulsating, or oscillating forces that occur in ships, aircraft, land vehicles, rotorcraft, machinery, space applications, and seismic events.

2. Random Vibration Random vibration occurs in transportation environments, vehicles, aircraft, aerospace, military environments, etc. Random vibration tests can also be useful for evaluating the general robustness and durability of products and components. IEC 60068-2-64 defines requirements for subjecting specimens to broadband random vibration tests over a specified frequency range for a given duration. It is primarily intended for specimens that are unpackaged, however, a packaged product can be tested using transportation vibrations.

3. Mixed Mode Vibration Testing A vibration environment is not always purely random or sinusoidal, but rather a combination of vibration modes. Mixed-mode vibration testing is used to simulate these complex field environments, Vibration VIEW includes three methods of mixed-mode testing: Sine-on-Random, Random-on-Random, and Sine-on-Sine.