Evaluation of the IMPAC66 Shock Test Machine, Serial Number 118

Abstract : The purpose of this evaluation is to calibrate and identify% the performance capabilities of the MTS IMPAC66 high velocity acceleration (HVA) shock test machine, Serial Number 118. This unit is currently situated at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Building 4600 (Lab 1252) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and is used by ARL's Weapons and Materials Research Directorate. The IMPAC66 shock test machine was designed to simulate high acceleration and/or high velocity scenarios. Shock tests performed at ARL are used to determine the survivability of electronic sensing packages when these are exposed to various launching environments. Typical accelerations associated with gun-launched munitions can range from 1500 g's to 30,000 g's2. The results provided in this report will be used as a reference for the shock test applications performed within ARL. This work will also be used as a benchmark for post-refurbishment and post-maintenance performance verification. The IMPAC66 shock test machine, Serial Number 118, was evaluated for calibration and performance with respect to current usage at ARL and for future reference in testing and maintenance functions. Several series of experiments were conducted to determine the effects of felt programmer thickness, accelerometer performance, and signal conditioning on measured shock pulses. Specifically, experiments were performed to determine the effects of three programmer thicknesses, four cut-off frequencies, and two accelerometer measurement ranges.