Conference sessions are comprised of technical papers, panels, and case studies on the latest issues that the industry is experiencing. Get the most up-to-date information from leading industry experts in your fields.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Shock and Vibration Testing
Chair: Budy Notohardjono, IBM Corporation
This session covers shock and vibration testing on aerospace and computer server structures. Discussion topics include statistical approaches for creating an appropriate Power Spectral Density test profile for a short duration random test and utilizing equipment with limited capabilities, in order to predict structural performance during a full system test. Talks may discuss responses of a system under different test methods.

• Meeting the Challenge of Short Duration Random Vibration Testing -- John Holler, Vibration Research Corporation
• Utilizing Shipping Vibration Tests to Predict the Dynamic Performance of a Mainframe Computer under Earthquake Tests -- Budy Notohardjono and Shawn Canfield, IBM Corporation
• Influence Analysis of Narrowband Random Sweep Range Setup in Mixed Mode Vibration Test -- Qingxin Sun, Beihang University
• Challenges of a Large Channel Count Dynamics Test Setup -- David Vess, Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Advanced Procedures for Accelerated Vibration-Based Durability Tests – Emanuele Pesaresi, University of Bologna (Italy)
• Design Consideration for Controllers used in the Combined Test Environment — James Zhuge, Crystal Instruments

1:15 - 3:05 p.m.
Defining Data-Based Reliability Tests
A common need is to demonstrate some level of reliability prior to production release. This session will cover data-based requirement determination, the use of accelerated test methods and statistical techniques useful in reliability growth and demonstration.

• Reliability Analysis for Components Under Thermal Mechanical Loadings -- Julio Pulido, Nortek
• Modeling of Fuzzy BN Prediction of a Complex Multi-Level System Considering Multiple States — Yuqing Wang, School of Reliability and Systems Engineering, Beihang University
• A New Data Evaluation Method for Reliability Simulation Test Based on Polynomial Chaos Expansion -- Tianqi Zhang, School of Reliability and Systems Engineering, Beihang University
• Defining a Knowledge Based Accelerated Reliability Demonstration Test — Dustin Aldridge, Raytheon

3:25 - 5:15 p.m.
Panel on Strategic Approach to Reliability Testing
Chair: Julio Pulido, Nortek
This panel reviews the considerations in defining a reliability test strategy and the organizational challenges in implementing a reliability test program.

8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Climatics Testing
Chair: Matthew Lucas, U.S. Army Redstone Test Center
Co-chair: Randy Patrick, U.S. Army Yuma Test Center
This session will address equipment and test tailoring considerations to meet MIL-STD-810 and other standard laboratory and natural environment climatic test requirements. Modification of test control tolerances or equipment operational parameters are frequently required to meet unique test objectives. Audience participation and questions are encouraged.

• Sustainability in Simulated Environmental Testing: Reducing Operating Expenses & CO2 Equivalent Emissions -- Michael Stratton, Weiss Technik North America, Inc.
• Considerations for Using Laboratory Generated Service Life Prediction Models with Outdoor Duty Cycle Environmental Measurements -- Henry K. Hardcastle, Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC an AMETEK Company
• Climatic Chamber Specification – Before You Buy, Specify – Milt Bos, Thermotron Industries
• Method for Test Item Temperature Stabilization Time Estimation – Sa Wu, Beihang University
• Assessing the Global Oceanic Surface Temperature and Humidity Environmental Severity -- Dustin Aldridge, Raytheon

3:25 - 5:15 p.m.
Complex Dynamics
Chair: Ronald Merritt, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
Co-chair: Russell Ayres, Spectral Dynamics

Over the history of dynamic testing a group of common tools has been developed to abstract moving systems.  Part of the art of vibration testing is knowing when and how to use these methods and knowing when a more careful analysis is required.  Speakers in this session will explore alternative methods to better characterize dynamic environments which are not handled well by conventional tools.

• Aspects of the Random Modulated Harmonic Pulse (RMHP) for Gunfire Response Environment Laboratory Testing -- Ron Merritt, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
• Time Waveform Replication Update -- Russ Ayres, Spectral Dynamics
• The Development of Direct Field Acoustic Testing — Paul Larkin, MSI DFAT Services
• New Method to Determine a Reference SDM for either MIMO Random or Acoustic Vibration Testing — Dr. Marcos Underwood, Tu'tuli Enterprises

8 - 9:50 a.m.
Lab Management Panel
Chair: Nick Clinkinbeard, Rockwell Collins
Products must generally undergo environmental laboratory testing prior to being sold and fielded.  One aspect of a laboratory that directly influences the success of a test program is management practices.  While many larger companies can support the operation of an internal environmental test facility, those that cannot must use a so-called “outside test lab” that specializes in the simulation of various environments.  Each laboratory approach has its benefits and downfalls that must be effectively managed in order for a test program--and the business in general--to be successful.

This panel session brings together managers of internal and external environmental test laboratories to discuss methodologies, issues, and successes that are both common and unique in nature.  Discussion will be facilitated by a moderator with experience in environmental testing; however, audience participation is welcome and encouraged. 

Panelists:

• David Sgro, FLIR
• Scott Shannahan, Collins Aerospace
• Ross Blanco, NTS

10:10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Boundary Conditions in Environmental Testing
Chair: David Soine, Honeywell
Co-chair: Troy Skousen, Sandia National Laboratories
Current practices for component-level shock and vibration testing may result in over- or under-stressing the component as compared to the stress experienced in the next level assembly. While the success of the component test is dependent on several factors, a significant contributor is the boundary condition in the component test. Common test practices cause the component to have notably different dynamic boundary conditions between the component test and system configuration.

The Box Assembly with Removable Component (BARC) and the Boundary Conditions in Environmental Testing Challenge is a platform for interested parties to study this problem in a common framework. This session will explore the research paths that are emerging in response to this initiative.

• Comparison of Multi-Axis Testing of the BARC Structure with varying Boundary Conditions — Dan Rohe, Sandia National Laboratories
• Testing a Component on a Fixture to Reproduce System Accelerations — Randy Mayers, Sandia National Laboratories
• Novel Solutions for Environmental Testing. Part 1: An Experimental Data Driven Approach to Predict Testing Performance in the Era of the Digital Twins — Umberto Musella, Siemens

1:15 - 3:05 p.m.
Qualification by Analysis
Chair: Nick Clinkinbeard, Rockwell Collins
Qualification testing is a tried-and-true approach for verification of product environmental requirements.  However, it is an expensive endeavor that may cost hundreds of thousands--or even millions--of dollars to perform.   As such, schedule, cost, and resource availability issues may drive a program to consider conducting a full or partial Qualification by Similarity (QBS) or Qualification by Analysis (QBA) effort to address environmental requirements.  While sometimes initially seen as effort-reducing endeavors, QBS and QBA pose issues of appropriateness of application, as well as completeness, uncertainty, and accuracy of results.  This session seeks to explore real-world QBS and QBA methodologies and case studies to help the industry better understand the benefits and issues.

• Environmental Qualification Similarity Assessment Report for Units -- Galit Ben Yakar, Elbit Systems - Elisra
• Methodologies and Tools to Improve System Integration and Test Efficiencies — Chris Parsons, Northrop Grumman Corporation