Elevating Quality Assurance with the IMV A22 Vibration Test System at Newspace Systems

Jan 22, 2025 | Testing, Vibration

At XTEMP Vibration, we don’t just sell equipment; we help our clients achieve their goals. Recently, we had the privilege of partnering with Newspace Systems in Somerset West on a project that perfectly exemplifies this approach. Newspace Systems, a company pushing the boundaries of aerospace and satellite technology, needed to upgrade its vibration testing capabilities to meet the demands of its increasingly ambitious projects. The result? A state-of-the-art system that’s helping them reach new heights.

The challenge was clear: Newspace Systems required a setup capable of incredibly precise, versatile, and reliable vibration testing. Their components need to withstand the immense stresses of launch and the rigours of space, and their testing had to reflect that. We knew we had the perfect solution.

Our team worked closely with Newspace Systems to manage this project and install a customized system featuring the IMV A22 electrodynamic ECO shaker. This workhorse of vibration testing provides the power and precision needed for rigorous simulations. But the IMV A22 alone wasn’t enough. Many of Newspace Systems components needed to be tested horizontally, without changing their orientation. This precise control is crucial for accurate results.

That’s where the Centrotecnica RT450 rail-guided slip table came in. This ingenious piece of engineering smoothly and precisely guides the test sample along horizontal axes. This ensures that the vibration is applied accurately.

The manufacturing of space components demands a cleanroom environment to prevent contamination and ensure optimal performance. However, the rigorous testing these components require, often involving powerful vibration shakers, can pose a challenge to maintaining this cleanroom integrity. Traditional vibration test setups often introduce unwanted particles and heat into the cleanroom. The IMV A22 shaker, however, offers a significant advantage with its unique cooling system.

The IMV A22 shaker features a concentrated suction system for cooling. This system is designed to be entirely independent of the cleanroom’s air circulation.

The installation itself was a collaborative effort, showcasing our commitment to seamless integration. Our expert team worked closely with the Newspace engineering staff, ensuring a smooth transition and providing thorough training. The result is a system that is not only highly effective but also intuitive and easy to use for the Newspace team.

Even the best hardware needs a brilliant brain. That’s why we incorporated Vibration Research’s advanced control system, featuring the intuitive VibrationView software and the powerful VR10508 8-channel controller. This system offers Newspace engineers unprecedented control over the testing process, allowing them to easily create and execute a wide variety of complex test profiles.

The installation itself was a collaborative effort, showcasing our commitment to seamless integration. Our expert team worked closely with the Newspace engineering staff, ensuring a smooth transition and providing thorough training. The result is a system that is not only highly effective but also intuitive and easy to use for the Newspace team.

IMV’s ECO-shaker system constantly monitors the force required to operate the vibration test and by using the high frequency power converters discussed above, the ECO-system automatically adjusts the field power and cooling blower speed to run at the point of minimum energy consumption. Not only does this save energy, but it also means that for most tests, the ECO-system is quiet. Air-cooled shaker systems are sometimes criticised for the level of blower noise, but IMV’s ECO-system solves this problem.

This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of choosing the right partner for your testing needs. At XTEMP Vibration, we’re proud to have played a role in helping Newspace Systems reach new heights, one vibration test at a time. We look forward to seeing the amazing things they accomplish with this state-of-the-art system.

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