Universities Use Vibration Exciters to Teach Concepts and Inspire Innovation

July 20, 2010 - PRLog -- The Modal Shop’s electrodynamic vibration exciters are becoming a popular addition to university engineering laboratories across the United States and the world.  As a key element in engineering education, hands-on testing with vibration exciters, also known as modal shakers, allows students to apply theoretical knowledge gained through the study of vibration and simulations.  The experience of capturing, and then interpreting, structural data is invaluable to the process of research, product development and innovation.  Universities throughout the world have turned to The Modal Shop, http://www.modalshop.com/excitation.asp?ID=243, to help create new vibration laboratories or to enhance their existing dynamic measurement setups.  
   
The Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art in New York City is an excellent example.  Melody Baglione, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, purchased a 2100E11 modal shaker in 2009 followed by the addition of two new SmartShakers in 2010.  Cooper Union students have put these vibration exciters to work.  In the Advanced Mechanical Vibrations class, experiments were conducted using the 2100E11 shaker to determine the natural frequencies produced by plastic plates and aluminum cantilevered beams.  Both applications provided students with an opportunity to evaluate the differences between theoretical natural frequencies and vibration modes versus those generated in a live, experimental setting.  

From these basic types of experiments, a group of Professor Baglione’s students moved on to a more complex form of experimental modal analysis.  A scale model of a three story building offered the opportunity for a more realistic testing application.  With accelerometers attached to each floor of the model and the 2100E11 modal shaker exciting the entire structure, the students collected data to analyze the effect of a mass damper on forced response.        

The Cooper Union’s use of vibration exciters is a perfect example of using real world test equipment as an integral part of an educational experience.  Universities benefit from PCB Group and The Modal Shop’s long history of collaboration with educational institutions.  With an in-depth understanding of the challenges and requirements of a university setting, The Modal Shop helps to create a solution for your vibration laboratory.

THE MODAL SHOP, INC. offers many unique structural test products and accessories.  For a printable version of our Electrodynamic Exciter Family Datasheet, visit http://www.modalshop.com/filelibrary/Electrodynamic_Excit... . Shaker systems are also available through The Modal Shop rental services program.  For specification sheets, application data and product services, please contact THE MODAL SHOP, INC., 3149 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241-1516, Internet: http://www.modalshop.com, (800) 860-4867, Fax (513) 458-2172 or e-mail: jeff@modalshop.com.

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The Modal Shop, a PCB Group Company, provides structural vibration and acoustic sensing systems to engineers worldwide. Located in Cincinnati, we retain close ties to the University of Cincinnati’s Structural Dynamics Research Laboratory, a recognized leader in sound, vibration and modal analysis research. The Modal Shop assures you continued development of high-quality products combined with the unparalleled customer support of PCB Group.

Mission Statement: “Simplifying people’s lives with smart sensing solutions that help improve the performance of people, products and processes.”