Testing that Reaches the World
MIL-STD-810 Method 528 Mechanical Vibrations Testing of Shipboard Equipment
MIL-STD-810G Method 528 Mechanical Vibrations Testing of Shipboard Equipment provides guidance on evaluating the ability of shipboard equipment to withstand and operate in a vibration-prone environment and assess the effects on the equipment's performance and reliability.
Method 528 provides detailed procedures for conducting shipboard equipment vibration testing which typically involves subjecting the equipment to various vibration profiles that simulate the dynamic environment on a ship. The test engineering team at Clark Testing will help develop a test procedure to specify the test parameters, such as vibration levels, frequencies, durations, and spectral content, are determined based on the equipment's intended use and the expected shipboard conditions.
Method 528 provides guidelines for evaluating the equipment's response to mechanical vibrations including allowable levels of vibration-induced stress, functional degradation, or performance variation. Clark engineers will assess the equipment based on its ability to withstand the specified vibration levels without exceeding the acceptable limits.
The specified test procedures are applicable to shipboard equipment subjected to mechanical vibrations on Navy ships with conventional shafted propeller or propulsion. For internal excitation caused by unbalanced rotating components of Naval shipboard equipment use the balance procedure as designated in MIL-STD-810G Method 528 paragraph 5.2.2. For those mechanical vibrations associated with reciprocating machinery and lateral and longitudinal vibrations of propulsion systems and shafting, see MIL-STD-167-2A.
The following types of vibration are covered in this method:
Type I - Environmental vibration.
Type II - Internally excited vibration.
Procedure I (Type I) – Environmental Vibration.
When Type I vibration requirements are specified the test item shall be subjected to a simulated environmental vibration as may be encountered aboard naval ships. This method provides an amplitude sufficiently large within the selected frequency range to obtain a reasonably high degree of confidence that equipment will not malfunction during service operation.
- For Type I vibration testing, this method shall be used for equipment subjected to the vibration environment found on Navy ships with conventionally shafted propeller propulsion.
- For Type I vibration testing this method can be tailored for non-conventional Navy shafted propeller systems such as waterjet, podded, or other propulsor types, including those that have been designed to minimize blade-rate forces.
- For equipment installed on ships with propulsion systems with frequency ranges not covered by Table 528- I, this method shall not apply.
Procedure II (Type II) – Internally Excited Vibration.
Unless otherwise specified Type II balance and vibration requirements shall apply to the procurement of rotating machinery. This does not apply to suitability from a noise standpoint, nor does it apply to reciprocating machinery. Special vibration and balance requirements may be specified. The limitations set forth herein may also be used as criteria on overhaul tolerances, but should not constitute a criterion for the need for overhaul. All rotating machinery shall be balanced to minimize vibration, bearing wear, and noise. Types of balancing shall be as specified and shall meet the limits of allowable residual unbalance.
Test Set Up
In house custom design and fabrication capabilities (machining and welding) to ensure test fixtures accurately simulation environmental conditions. FEA capabilities to support fixture design along with welding, fabrication & machining services. Multiple vibration adapter plates and prefabricated test fixtures help to streamline the testing process.
Instrumentation capabilities including accelerometers and strain gages with multi-channel control and data acquisition equipment ensuring accurate test data is being recorded. All instrumentation and equipment is provided with measurement uncertainty and compliant with Clark’s ISO 17025-2017 Quality Program.
Lab technicians and engineers record daily test activities to register all activities, events, and responses during the test. The daily test logs along with test data, pictures and test procedures are included in comprehensive test report that is the industry standard.
We work closely with you to validate engineering, ensure quality, analyze test spectrums, and execute accurate testing programs for successful qualification and marketing of your product.
