Acceleration testing provides engineers with data on the behavior of materials and functioning devices when the test items are subjected to gravity load factors, applied slowly and held steady for extended periods of time. Acceleration testing specifically avoids creating dynamic (resonant) response in materials. Typical test applications include aerospace related hardware, structural materials, hydraulics, and aircraft components (such as landing gear and even as unglamorous items as toilets for aircraft and space vehicles).
Detrimental effects from acceleration loads include structural deflection that interferes with material operation, leaky seals, binding actuators, broken mounting hardware, cavitating pumps, short circuiting PCBs, changing pressure and flow regulators, erratic sensor and pressure regulator function.
NTS offers the most complete acceleration test facilities available: G-tables and centrifuges with diameters ranging from 1 ft (0.3m) to 62 ft (16m), and weight capacities from a few grams to 7,000 lb (3,175 kg). For example, NTS can provide 750g (7,350 m/s2) for a test item weighing up to 250 lb (115 kg).
NTS has centrifuges equipped with enclosures to reduce wind loading, as well as those with adjustable boom lengths. Large numbers of acceleration tests requires that test items be operational while under load. Having a large number of control and monitoring channels give the test engineers the ability to hook up strain gauges, accelerometers, and other instrumentation, while providing for electrical and other remote operational instrumentation to power up and manipulate the function of the unit during the test. All our test equipment features electrical slip rings to accommodate up to 100 data and control channels, with some providing high power connections. NTS can also provide you with swivels to permit pneumatic and hydraulic operation of the test items.
The following are samples of the tests available from NTS:
Please contact us today to learn more about acceleration testing services at NTS.
