White Sands Missile Range maintains an extensive array of equipment available for shock testing. All shock tests can be remotely controlled to accommodate explosive and hazardous test items.
Electrodynamic Vibration Test
Electrodynamic vibration exciters are available to meet most vibration testing requirements. Large reaction masses accommodate multiple exciters for tests involving large forces, massive test items, or multiple degrees-of-freedom excitation. A wide range of test setups can be accommodated for large structure testing by positioning multiple shakers around the structure. Most vibration test specifications can be accommodated with our Data Physics Vector II vibration control systems. Electrodynamic Vibration Test Exciter specifications are listed below:
| NAME |
Force Rating |
Displacement |
Frequency Range |
| UNHOLTZ-DICKIE (small): |
2,000 |
1 inch |
5 to 3,000 Hertz |
| UNHOLTZ-DICKIE (large) |
50000 |
2 inches |
5 to 3,000 Hertz |
| LING 335 |
18,000 |
1 inch |
5 to 2,000 Hertz |
| LDS 964LS |
16,000 |
2 inches |
5 to 2,000 Hertz |
Shock Testing
Shock Testing Using Electrodynamic Exciters- Electrodynamic exciters can be used to produce classical pulses (half-sine, saw-tooth, trapezoidal) and complex pulses using shock synthesis techniques. Repetitive transient and wide-band random with mixed shock pulses (transient) can also be produced.
Shock Machines- Shock tests which require classical high peak accelerations or large velocity changes can be accommodated on shock test machines. All shock test machines can be configured to provide half-sine, terminal peak saw-tooth, or square wave shock pulses.
| Characteristics |
12x12 Shock Machine |
36x36 Shock Machine |
60x60 Shock Machine |
| Table Mounting Surface |
12 inches by 12 inches |
36 inches by 36 inches |
60 inches by 60 inches |
| Max. Specimen Height |
14 inches |
Approximately 15 feet |
Approximately 15 feet |
| Max. Specimen Weight |
2,000 pounds |
4,500 pounds |
5,500 pounds |
| Max Acceleration |
10,000 G (50lb specimen) |
1,500 G (1,000 lb specimen) |
200 G |
| Max Pulse Duration |
0.2 milliseconds |
1 millisecond (1,000 lbs) |
2 milliseconds |
For the 12x12 shock machine, typical shock tests range from 11 milliseconds at 100 G'sconds to 35 milliseconds at 15 G's using long stroke gas programmers. For the 36x36 shock machine, typical shock tests range from 6 milliseconds at 200 G's to 13 milliseconds at 100 G's using four universal gas programmers. For the 60x60 Shock Machine typical shock tests include 11 milliseconds @ 35 G's.
Impact Shock Testing
A pendulum impact shock machine with a sixteen foot cable length and a 10x16 foot mounting platform is available for performing packaged container transportation shock tests. Rail impact tests are conducted utilizing facilities at Ft. Bliss., Texas
Rough Handling (drop shock) Test Facilities are available to provide rough handling drop test.