Dynamics Lab

The Department of Mechanical Engineering Dynamics Lab provides space, teaching equipment, and research equipment - for students and faculty - to study acoustics, vibrations, system dynamics, and controls. The lab is primarily used for teaching Vibrations and Controls Lab (ME 4501). Experiments are performed that test the dynamics properties being studied in the lecture courses Machine Dynamics & Vibrations (ENGR 3125) and Dynamic Systems & Control Theory (ME 3501). The Dynamics Lab is also used by some aerospace engineering minor faculty and students, for use of the Jet Engine Simulator.

  • The Dynamics lab has the following equipment available:

    • (2) Accelerometers, uni-axle (PCB model T35C34) with cables 
    • (2) Accelerometers, tri-axle (PCB model T356A02) with cables 
    • (2) Hand-held shaker for calibrating accelerometers (PCB model 394C06) 
    • (1) Impact hammer with force transducer for vibration experiments, with cable 
    • (1) Jet Engine simulator. Price Induction WESTT CS/BV Virtual Engine Test Bench. Simulation of aircraft jet engine for controls, thermodynamics, and aerodynamics 
    • (1) Larson Davis 831 Sound Level Meter with sound recording and FFT analysis 
    • (1) Larson Davis Sound Level Calibrator 
    • (1) Laser displacement sensor (Keyence model LK-H152)
    • (1) National Instruments DAQ for vibration & acoustics. PXI-1033 chassis with 8-channel input card 4472B and 2-channel signal generator card 5402. PC with virtual instruments via LabVIEW and NI Signal Express 
    • (2) National Instruments DAQ, model USB-4431. Portable USB device with 4-input channels for vibration or acoustic sensors 
    • (1) Microphone, ½ inch, PCB model 378B02 with BNC cable 
    • (5) PCs dedicated to measuring vibrations and controlling above equipment 
    • (1) Rectilinear Plant apparatus. Setup for 1, 2, or 3 DOF vibration systems – free & forced vibration experiments, and feedback control hardware. PC with control systems software. Variable mass, springs, and damping (ecp model 210) 
    • (1) Wind Turbine Drivetrain Diagnostic Simulator (SpectraQuest WTDS) 
    • (1) Small shaker for vibration input (B&K model 4810) 
    • (1) Torsional Plant apparatus. Similar to the model 210 but for rotational experiments. Variable inertia (ecp model 205) 

  • The following test can be conducted in the Dynamics lab:

    • Measurement, calibration, and instrumentation fundamental with accelerometers, microphones, optical encoders, and/or laser displacement sensors 
    • Free and forced vibration for mass-spring-dashpot system (1-DOF) 
    • Free and forced vibration for disk-torsional-spring system (1-DOF) 
    • Two DOF vibration modes for translational and torsional systems 
    • 2-DOF and 3-DOF forced vibration analysis 
    • PID feedback control of Rectilinear Plant or Torsional Plant with step, ramp, and sinusoidal inputs 
    • Multi-DOF system control experiments 
    • Control experiments using Jet Engine Simulator 
    • Bearing vibration analysis for wind turbine drivetrain with various gears/blades/load conditions 
    • Vibration analysis for string, beam, membrane, plate, and other continuous systems 
    • Sound level and spectra measurements 

Location:
Engineering Technology Center, Building Q
Room Q-217

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