Mechanical Shock Testing Machine

Abstract

Mechanical shock testing is a valuable qualification step for space instrumentation, but the University of Michigan Space Physics Research Laboratory (SPRL) lacks the ability to conduct this testing in-house. This project aims to give SPRL shock test capability through the design, fabrication, and test of an affordable shock testing machine. The product must induce up to 3000 G peak accelerations under 25 ms on specimens up to 30 kg and measuring 50 cm in each dimension. After concept exploration, an architecture using a ringing plate struck by a hammer was determined to best achieve the design requirements for SPRL's application. A design has been developed and analyzed which utilizes a 40 inch square aluminum plate struck by a 60” hammer all supported and aligned in a t-slot aluminum frame.