Vibration, MIL-STD-810 Method 514 evaluates equipment’s ability to withstand vibration exposures expected in a product’s life cycle. These laboratory tests simulate environmental stresses that may be experienced during manufacture / maintenance, transportation, or operational life phases.
This testing can be used for for development, qualification, or reliability purposes. This method is not applicable for Environmental Stress Screening (ESS), Multiple exciter testing, or specific safety testing.
Procedures for Vibration Method 514
Four procedures are available for vibration testing in this method:
Procedure I – General Vibration is for evaluating equipment that is to be transported or deployed for use on ground vehicles, fixed winged aircraft, or rotary wing aircraft.
Procedure II – Loose Cargo Transportation replicates the vibration and shock environment of equipment being transported as loose cargo in military vehicles across rough terrain. This procedure is performed on a package tester that applies a circular synchronous motion of 5 Hz in the vertical axis.
Procedure III – Large Assembly Transportation is performed with vehicles on test surfaces that are representative of expected operational or transportation phases in the test item’s life cycle. These test surface courses are located at specific defense facilities such as U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center.
Procedure IV – Assembled Aircraft Store Captive Carriage and Free Flight uses laboratory shakers to replicate vibrational stresses encountered by equipment designed for under wing deployment during flight when attached to an aircraft and when released.
Considerations for Test Selection
Vibration testing presents many possibilities for testing. When considering which test scenarios to include in a test scenario, it is important to consider test duration, amplitude, and bandwidth of vibration profiles.
In many cases vibration experienced in transport may exceed those expected in operational modes. In other cases operational vibration will be of greater severity. In the end risk analysis is essential in identifying the optimal test and evaluation plan.
Tailoring Guidance
Given the highly technical nature of vibration testing, care must be taken when tailored testing is required. To address this issue Method 514 provides ample supplementary information in the included Annexes.
- Annex A provides engineering information for a variety of topics including: reliability testing, reliability growth testing, worthiness testing, Environmental Stress Screening (ESS), test time compression and fatigue relationship, and many other topics.
- Annex B provides guidance for Manufacture/Maintenance Vibration exposure. It is useful in assisting in determining vibration levels and durations for testing concerns such as manufacturing and maintenance practices, shipping and handling, and Environmental Stress Screening.
- Annex C contains information about transportation tailoring. This includes guidance for setting design and test exposure values of many typical life cycle events. It provides typical mission scenarios that include such information as standard military land vehicle transport distances from port staging areas to forward using units. It also provides standardized vibration profiles for various vehicle types.
- Annex D includes information concerning operational vibration in the life cycle of equipment. This includes vibration profiles for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, aircraft stores, ground vehicles, missiles, and watercraft.
- Annex E provides guidance for vibration specific to minimum integrity tests and cantilevered loads.
- Annex F contains information critical to the development of vibration test schedules. This is and extremely detailed annex and contains six appendices.
Detailed Environmental Test Plan Templates
CVG Strategy offers EZ Test Plan Templates for MIL-STD environmental (climatic/dynamic) and EMI/EMC test documentation. Our Detailed Environmental Test Plans (DETP)s are written as specified in MIL-STD-810 Task 405. They are available for specific applications such as Ground Mobile, Ground Stationary, and Shipboard Controlled, Shipboard Uncontrolled, and Aircraft Military.
These DETPs include appropriate methods, (such as Vibration MIL-STD-810 Method 514) addendums for product specific information, test labels for photo identification and data sheets for collection of required data. Profile (LCEP).
Our Electromagnetic Interference Test Plans are written as specified in MIL-STD-461. They contain the test methodology, addendums for product specific information, test labels for photo identification and data sheets. These plans are available for procedures listed in MIL-STD-461 and are also available for MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-704, and MIL-STD-1399-300.
Custom Test Plans are also available for applications not covered in the EZ Test Plan offerings. These plans can be written for any number of applications and their relevant standards.
MIL-STD-810 Training Classes
CVG Strategy MIL-STD-810 classes will provide you with the ability to develop and conduct an environmental test program. Our two day course not only provides you with valuable information about climatic and dynamic test methods but also includes training in the methodology to correctly apply test tailoring.
This course is available online or onsite. Ample time is available for questions and comments so that participants are encouraged to keep engaged. Check here for our online Training Registration Schedule.
Put CVG Strategy’s Experience to Work for You
Companies of all sizes, from start up to established product developers, face challenges in product test and evaluation. This can particularly be the case when a product is developed for a new market sector or expanding sales internationally.
Properly tested products prevent costly product recalls, product redesign, and product liability. They maintain customer satisfaction and keep your company’s reputation in good standing. Contact CVG Strategy to see how our services can assist your engineering team with Vibration MIL-STD-810 Method 514 or any other test and evaluation concern.