MGA’s Vibration Capabilities Continue to Grow
The last time you traveled on a rugged road, you probably experienced the discomfort of your vehicle shaking unpleasantly. These vibrations may have just been a minor annoyance to you, but they represent a major concern to manufacturers in the transportation industry. Vibrations incurred during travel are one of the leading causes of accelerated wear and damage to automobiles. These vibrations not only pose a threat to the lifespan of vehicles, they may also result in component wear that can compromise overall safety performance. In light of this, it is crucial for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in sectors like automotive, aviation, and aerospace to consider these environmental exposures during the design process.
MGA Research Corporation, with over 40 years of expertise in vibration simulation, can help OEMs prepare their products for these challenging conditions. Engineers at MGA can replicate real-life environments that vehicles or aircraft may experience during operation, allowing manufacturers to evaluate and validate the durability, reliability, and safety of their products. With thorough evaluation, OEMs can ensure that their designs are equipped to handle the rigors of transportation throughout the entire service life of their products. MGA’s North American network of laboratories features over 40 shaker systems with varying capabilities.
The two main categories of vibration testing are low-frequency and high-frequency applications. High-frequency vibration testing is generally conducted using electrodynamic (ED) shaker tables, which can replicate various vibration and shock patterns ranging from 5Hz to 3,000Hz. These shakers can also generate an impressive 10,000+ force lbs. in sine or random configurations, making them the ideal tools to help simulate a diverse range of conditions. In the automotive industry, these test conditions can range from typical operational vibrations to more severe pot-hole-like shocks encountered by vehicles traversing rough terrain. In sectors like aviation, MGA’s capabilities enable us to reproduce the turbulence and vibrations encountered during flights. Likewise, to serve the aerospace industry, MGA can replicate the effects of rocket launches or other maneuvers.
By conducting these tests, manufacturers can detect and rectify any potential design or manufacturing shortcomings before their products are introduced to the market. Vibration testing is carried out on a wide range of samples, from small electronic modules in the aerospace industry to rear vehicle running boards in the automotive sector. In addition to standard testing protocols, certain requirements may call for supplementary evaluations. For instance, sound analysis, commonly referred to as Buzz, Squeak, and Rattle (BSR), may be performed. Moreover, more rigorous testing conditions may be employed, such as subjecting samples to vibration profiles under extreme temperature settings.
MGA's Mississauga, Ontario lab offers the customers an impressive array of nearly a dozen ED shakers, with many units surrounded by a chamber capable of exposing samples to extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 140 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, equipped with a semi-anechoic chamber and specialized microphone systems, MGA’s Canadian staff is fully equipped to support an extensive array of testing profiles and meet the specific requirements defined by our customers.
In response to the evolving demands of the industry for increasingly rigorous and intricate vibration profiles, MGA has continuously expanded its capabilities to help provide comprehensive solutions to our customers. Leveraging a strong understanding of the fundamental principles of vibration and backed by decades of experience, our team of technical experts consistently strives to help our customers achieve their goals. For more information regarding our capabilities, kindly contact saba.kiakojoori@mgaresearch.com .
