Global aerospace expert EADS – the parent company of Airbus – has expanded its vibration test capabilities with a new electrodynamic shaker and controller system made by Brüel & Kjær.

The system is located at EADS’s Structural Test Laboratory in Getafe, Madrid. This facility is where aviation started in Spain in the very early 20th century and is the current location for Airbus Military engineering, whilst production is carried out in their Andalucía site.

The new vibration test system enables EADS to carry out sine, random, and classic shock testing on flight elements of aircraft including the A400M, CN295, MRTT, according to procedures and standards in RTCA-DO-160 and MIL-STD-810.

For propeller aircraft applications, sinusoidal (sine) testing can be used to simulate phenomena such as wind-milling, where a stopped engine is turned by the airflow.

For jet aircraft applications, random vibration is used to simulate the vibration environment. It is ideal for production, durability and fatigue testing of electronics and components in helicopters and military vehicles.

The system comprises a large LDS-V875 shaker together with a Laser USB Controller.