Shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services test finished products or components using shock, sine and random vibration, or other dynamic test conditions. Typically, they perform a battery of tests in accordance with published standards from organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the European Community (CE), and the International Standards Organization (ISO). Shock and vibration testing (dynamics) is a subset of product and component testing, a larger category that includes electrical, life, environmental, exposure, dynamic, ergonomic and other specialized tests. Common capabilities of shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services include testing and simulation, component and product comparison, certification and qualification, data acquisition and instrumentation, design verification testing (DVT), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), sample preparation, and research and development. Safety, liability, performance, and in-line or in-process testing services are also available.

Functions Performed

Shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services perform a variety of functions. Examples include acceleration and centrifuge testing, acoustic testing and particle impact noise detection (PIND), crash safety analysis, and loss of coolant accident (LOCA) testing. Tests are also used to determine the effects of aging, bounce, creep, decompression, fatigue, fire, humidity, pyrotechnic shock, radiation, sterilization, stress, thermal cycling, ultraviolet (UV) light and weathering. Accelerated testing and screening includes highly accelerated life testing (HALT) and highly accelerated stress screening (HASS). The results from HALT testing are used to set test limits for production screening or HASS tests. Network-equipment-building system (NEBS) compliance tests subject anchors to load cycles of varying magnitude and frequency to simulate seismic events.

Shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services test many types of parts, products, systems and facilities. Examples include aerospace and avionics equipment, automotive parts, building products, coatings and paints, consumer appliances, electronics and microelectronics, electrical distribution devices, combustion and hazardous location equipment, industrial equipment and machinery, and instrument sensors. Shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services also test valves and pumps, plumbing and lighting, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, health care and medical devices, battery and energy products, and laboratory equipment. Some companies test semiconductors, integrated circuits (ICs), radio frequency (RF) and wireless devices, or information technology (IT) and telecommunication systems. Others test marine equipment, motors and motor controllers, packaging products, or product samples.

Approvals and Certifications

There are many national and international approvals and certifications for shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services. These include but are not limited to the CE Mark (Europe), S Mark (Europe), AMSE (US), ASTM (US) FCC (US), FDA (US), NRC (US), CCC (China), VCCI (Japan), GS Mark (Germany), C-TICK (Australia), NOM (Mexico), and the CSA Mark (Canada). International organizations that provide certifications and approvals include Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as well as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the International State Transit Association (ISTA). Companies that meet U.S. government military specifications (MIL-SPEC) also provide shock and vibration testing services (dynamics). 

Facility Accreditations and Assessments

Shock and vibration (dynamics) testing services vary in terms of facility accreditations and assessments. Standards organizations include but are not limited to the FCC (US), FDA (US), SCC (Canada), CNAL (China), METI (Japan), VCCI (Japan), and KETI (Korea). The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) also provide facility accreditations and assessments. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies nationally recognized test laboratories (NRTL).