Module 3.1 – Shock Testing

Back to: VibrationVIEW Syllabus

Use the Hardware, Inputs, and System Limits configuration from Module 1.1.

1. Create an Advanced Shock Test

a. Select New Test > Shock.
b. Select Advanced.
c. Select Pulse and set the following parameters:

• Output 10mS wide
• Positive Trapezoid shock pulse with a peak amplitude of 5 G
• Trapezoid ramps up in 2 mS
• Trapezoid ramps down in 2 mS
• Square shape (optimal solution for minimum velocity and displacement)
• Allow up to 20% of the peak acceleration prior to the pulse
• Allow up to 30% of the peak acceleration after the pulse

d. Select Schedule and run for 100 pulses at 100% with 1-second pulse intervals.
e. Select Limits and set the following parameters:

• Starting drive limits:
  • Select Auto in the dropdown
  • Max Output: 2 V
  • Max System Gain: 10 V/G
• Running drive limits:
  • Max Output: 2 V
  • Max System Gain: 10 V/G

f. Select OK and save the test as Trapezoid 5g 10mS Demo Trial.

2. Create the Graphs

a. Select New Graph.
b. Graph 1 configuration

• Graph Type: Acceleration Waveform
• Graph Traces:
  • Control Loop Traces: Demand, Control, Tolerance, Abort
  • Input Channels: Ch1

c. Graph 2 configuration

• Graph Type: Acceleration vs. Freq.
• Graph Traces:
  • Control Loop Traces: Demand, Control
  • Input Channels: Ch1
  • Point to Axis Limits and change the x-axis and y-axis to Log

d. Select OK.

3. Run the Test

a. Listen carefully to the sound (or lack of sound) produced by the test.
b. When the test is completed, save the data in an appropriate location.

4. Create a Report

a. Select Report.
b. In the report, include the following information:

• Customer information
• VibrationVIEW screen

5. Evaluate the Test

a. Describe the sound, if any, that you heard. As you can see in the energy spectral density graph, most of the higher energy vibrations are in the lower frequency range. The higher frequency range sounds, which are audible, compose very little energy for the test.

b. With a shock test, you can repeatedly expose your product to real-life shock waves at particular G levels. To learn more about shock testing, visit the Shock Testing course.