Test Equipment
News
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New Research and Testing Lab Opened in NC
(September 26, 2016) MacAulay-Brown, Inc., a leading National Security company delivering advanced engineering services and product solutions, has recently announced the addition of a Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) Research and Development (R&D) laboratory in Fayetteville, North Carolina. “The new Tactical C4 R&D lab provides Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) te ... » -
Looking to Simulation Testing to Save Product Costs
(August 9, 2016) The recent trend in product testing is that it’s too costly and too time consuming and yet devices are expected to perform in harsher environments more and more quickly. According to Greg Fallon, Vice President of Simulation, Autodesk Product Development, “The methods of trial and error, physical prototyping, and commissioning are often too slow, too costly, and incapable o ... » -
3D Printing Materials That Can Withstand Extreme Space Temperatures
Recently, Stratasys Advanced Materials developed a thermoplastic material called ESD PEKK to address the extreme temperatures of space without risking electrostatic discharge to spacecraft equipment. According to 3DPrintingProgress.com, “ESD PEKK’s material properties combine the unique advantage of ABS-ESD7's electrostatic dissipative (ESD) properties , ULTEMTM 9085's superior strength and ... » -
Military Equipment Tested in Harsh Environments
For testing military communications equipment in harsh environments, Army and industry developers use environmental test labs as an alternative to real-life testing. According to Aerotech News, the Army’s test facility in the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) “provides customers with a wide range of capabilities to test design integrity, ensure ... » -
Testing Microprocessors for Space Exploration
Many American satellites since 1979 have had one or more electronic components go through Berkeley Lab's 88-inch cyclotron —a machine that accelerates ions to high energies along a circular path. This machine allows for the testing of microprocessors so that they can perform under the harsh environments of space, according to Mike Johnson, research coordinator. “NASA has publicly announced ... » -
New Vibration Table Testing Developed
A retired researcher and consultant of Sandia National Laboratories developed algorithms more than 30 years ago that are now being used by Sandia for high-frequency vibration machines. These machines shake things in multiple directions at the same time, and are reportedly significant to the automotive and aerospace industries. Kevin Cross, who is in charge of Sandia’s vibration lab, explained ... » -
NASA Conducts Drop Test of Aircraft; Emergency Locator Transmitters Fail
A team of researchers from the Aeronautical Research Facility in Hampton, Virginia recently conducted an 82-foot drop test with an aircraft known as the Cessna Skyhawk. The Cessna aircraft is used strictly for science and it includes four emergency locator transmitters (ELTs). “The setup for the test was much the same as in drop tests conducted in 2013 and 2014 involving CH-46 helicopters c ... » -
Environmental Test Chamber Used to Debunk ‘Deflategate’
Last season in the NFL, Tom Brady, the quarterback from the New England Patriots, was accused of using under inflated footballs during the AFC championship game. Official footballs are checked before each game and are expected to measure between 12.5 and 13.5 psi. During the AFC championship game, it was reported that the Patriot’s footballs were slightly deflated. This controversy ultimately ga ... » -
NASA Completes Thermal Testing on Satellite’s ATLAS
Engineers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt Maryland have completed thermal testing on NASA’s Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2, the ICESat-2, to assure it will perform at its best and take precise measurements both day and night in any temperature in the harsh environment of space. “When we do these tests, we want to confirm that in the worst-case conditions on o ... » -
New Corrosion Chambers Announced
Q-Lab Corporation has announced its addition of new contract testing services to its Florida and Germany testing facilities. These new testing services include tests for corrosion and humidity control. “Q-FOG CRH cyclic corrosion chambers can perform traditional salt spray, Prohesion, and most cyclic automotive tests. They feature fully-adjustable relative humidity and precise control over ra ... »