Tips for Choosing the Right Shaker and Chamber

vibration testing shaker with head expander

Shaker with head expander with load support and guidance, and high-lift option

The right test equipment is essential to successful product testing. When purchasing a new vibration testing system (shaker) or environmental test chamber, choosing the right model for your test requirements is important. This article provides tips to aid in making the right choice.

For a shaker, start with the end in mind and consider the following to make the right choice:

1200 Liter AGREE chamber with 13,500 lbf mono-base shaker

  1. Physical characteristics of the device under test (DUT) – mass, dimensions, center-of-gravity, and mounting

  2. Test requirements –

    Test profile – Sine, Random, Shock or Mixed Mode

    Single axis (vertical only) or multi-axis (Z, X, and Y axes) which will require a low or high-pressure slip table depending on DUT mass and center-of-gravity

  3. Shaker force required for current and future test requirements with appropriate margin

  4. Fixture and/or head expander with or without load support and guidance for mounting the DUT

Choosing the right environmental test chamber for product testing and reliability improvement involves the following considerations:

  1. Physical characteristics of the DUT – mass, dimensions, and material

  2. Test requirements –

    Temperature, temperature and humidity or combined temperature/humidity and vibration

    Temperature control range

    Temperature ramp rate

    Humidity control range

  3. Chamber type – temperature, temperature/humidity or combined temperature/humidity and vibration, a.k.a. an AGREE chamber

  4. Chamber size/volume required to meet test and DUT requirements

  5. Chamber accessories and options – humidity water tank, low humidity control, water purifying filter, access ports, and dry air purge.

Facility services/features do not necessarily drive equipment choice. The devices to be tested and the test requirements drive equipment choice. However, as a minimum, the following facility services/features should be considered when choosing a new shaker or chamber:

  • Electrical power - typically 480 V, 3-phase with amperage specific to the shaker and chamber model

  • Air supply – clean, dry shop air 90 to 110 psi

  • Cooling water (if high-force water-cooled shaker or water-cooled chamber) including chiller, plumbing, and electrical with in-coming water temperature and flow rate specific to the shaker and chamber model

  • Foundation thickness (particularly important if shaker is foundation mounted)

  • HVAC load (an important consideration if an air-cooled shaker’s blower must be exhausted in the building

  • Adequate facility access and space for placement of shaker components (shaker, amplifier, hydraulic power supply, and cooling unit) and chamber. Note: An AGREE chamber (combined temperature/humidity and vibration) chamber requires space for vertical and horizontal movement of the chamber to accommodate the accompanying shaker

For help in choosing the right Sentek Dynamics’ vibration testing system and environmental test chamber or additional information on specific models, do not hesitate to contact the Sentek Dynamics’ Sales Team.