A vibration shaker is a mechanical testing device used to replicate and simulate different types of vibrations, mechanical stresses, and dynamic movements that components, products, or structures may encounter under real-world circumstances. The system usually consists of a mechanical device that can produce regulated motion, which allows it to subject objects to controlled vibration, including sinusoidal, random and shock vibration. Vibration shakers are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive and electronics to evaluate the reliability, durability and performance of products. They play a significant role in identifying design flaws and weaknesses, ensuring product quality and preventing costly failures.
Vibration testing is essential to assess how products and components respond to dynamic forces and vibrations in real-world conditions. It helps identify natural frequencies, which are inherent to structures and components and can lead to resonance-induced failures if not properly addressed. Modal testing and analysis, a part of vibration testing, provide insights into the mode shapes or vibrational patterns of objects, helping optimize designs for enhanced performance, safety, and reliability. In sum, vibration testing, with its focus on natural frequencies and mode shapes, is a critical quality control and safety assurance tool across various industries.
A Permanent Magnet vibration shaker is a type of vibration testing system that uses permanent magnets to generate controlled vibrations. These shakers are designed to subject products, components, or structures to various types of vibrations, including sinusoidal, random, or shock vibrations. These tests can be conducted with the specimen attached directly to the shaker armature. The use of permanent magnets as the driving force distinguishes them from other types of vibration shakers, which may use electromagnets or other mechanisms. Permanent magnet vibration shakers are known for their durability, efficiency, and precision in simulating real-world vibration conditions for testing and analysis purposes in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics.
A Modal Vibration Shaker, also known as a Modal Shaker, is a specialized type of vibration testing system designed for performing modal analysis on structures and components. Modal analysis is a technique used to study an object’s natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping characteristics. Modal shakers are equipped with the capability to excite the structure or component under test at specific frequencies and record its responses, allowing engineers and researchers to determine its dynamic behavior. Modal shakers are attached to the structure with a stinger and the force is transferred from the shaker to the structure via this stinger.
An Inertial Vibration Shaker is a testing device used for examining the vibrational behavior of structures, similar to modal shakers. However, the key distinction lies in their connection styles. Inertial shakers vibrate their own bodies, making them directly fixed to the structure under test, simplifying the testing process compared to modal shakers. They are particularly suitable for use with larger structures and offer ease of use. These shakers can be utilized for modal testing, depending on the desired excitation frequencies and levels.
Dynalabs manufactures small electrodynamic shakers. Modal shakers are available in four sizes: 20N, 100N, 250N, and 440N. Permanent magnet shakers come in five sizes ranging from 10N to 440N. Meanwhile, inertial shakers have four sizes, 5N, 10N, 20N, and 40N, with sinus output force.
An amplifier is an essential component when using a vibration shaker, serving to amplify the input signal, control the excitation frequency, and manage the amplitude of vibrations.
For Dynalabs shakers, the 20N and 100N models are uniquely integrated with their amplifiers, which feature an LED screen for real-time frequency monitoring, streamlining the testing process and enhancing user convenience. For PM-10, inertial shakers, and other 250N and 440N shakers, the vibration system includes an external amplifier. So, all Dynalabs shakers systems are equipped with a amplifier to accommodate various testing requirements.
