Dynamic Testing

AEI offers a wide range of dynamic test and analysis capabilities. Testing can be conducted either in-house or on-site using a variety of sensors to identify and characterize natural or forced frequency responses of systems or components.

DATA ANALYSIS

AEI understands that data is only useful after it is presented as information. We offer a wide range of dynamic test and analysis capabilities. Data can be processed into industry standard formats or customized to specific requirements. Results are delivered to the customer in levels of effort that range from reduced data files to full formal test reports with data interpretation.

MODAL ANALYSIS

AEI performs Modal Analysis using ME’scope™ software to determine a component’s structural  resonances. Forces are applied to test articles with a variety of excitation methods, including impact hammers and portable shakers. Measurements of operating deflection shapes (ODS) can be animated, an extremely valuable tool in understanding a component’s vibratory responses to input forces.

• Data acquired from hardware of all sizes and complexity.

• Animated and graphical representation of frequency mode shapes.

• Verification of a component’s structural response to design modifications such as bracket re-design.

• Correlation of analytical models to experimental results.

• Portable systems for on-site testing.

VIBRATION SHAKER TESTING

Aerodyn Engineering can provide a single source solution for your vibration testing needs. Our field testing expertise enables us to instrument your part, measure your component’s vibration environment, and perform the data reduction. We can design and fabricate the fixtures required for your vibration shaker test through our in-house CAD, analysis,and fabrication services. Based on the measured application data, we can develop the appropriate vibration input profile and test your part. Vibration testing can also be conducted according to customer supplied specifications.Vibration shaker testing is performed on our 6,000 force pound electrodynamic shaker equipped with a 36" x 36" slip table.

The shaker can be positioned vertically or rotated to the horizontal position and attached to the slip table to facilitate any test configuration.The shaker is controlled through an eight-channel Data Physics vibration controller. Although one channel must be used for control, the remaining seven channels can be used as control, limit, or measurement channels.

Test capabilities include:

• Fixed sine

• Swept sine

• Random

• Sine-on-random

• Classical shock

• Resonance search and dwell

 The resonance search and dwell test profile is well suited for high-cycle fatigue testing of gas turbine engine blades. In addition to fatigue testing, Aerodyn Engineering can provide frequency screening for defining the frequency characteristics of a part population and identifying specific modes of vibration.

AIRFOIL CHARACTERIZATION

AEI conducts airfoil analysis by means of Stress Ratio testing. Accurate determination of stress levels and locations are made by analyzing signals from an array of strain gages placed at critical locations. Vibratory modes are excited using electro-dynamic, piezoelectric, acoustical, and air siren equipment. 

• Dynamic strain measurements at numerous locations over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 25 kHz.

• Correlation of predicted stress locations for individual modes.

• Strain amplitude ratios relative to reference gages provided for all frequency modes of interest.

• Correlation of tip deflection to maximum strain for response modes.

• High Cycle Fatigue Testing (HCF) providing strain levels and tip deflections of airfoils to failure.

ADVANCED SIGNAL PROCESSING 

AEI acquires data from measurement hardware with National Instruments™ LabVIEW™ data acquisition software. LabVIEW™ provides tools for data visualization, user interface design, Web publishing, report generation, data management, and software connectivity. As a National Instruments™ Alliance member, we have created an extensive library of advanced signal processing and custom data reduction algorithms.

Signal Processing Routines:

• Frequency spectrums 

• Cross power spectrums

• Waterfall plots

• Color spectrograms

• Transfer functions

• Harmonic analysis

• Acoustic analysis

• Statistical averaging

• Bode plots

• Campbell diagrams

• Balancing

• PID control

• Octave analysis

• Frequency response function