International Test Operations Procedure No: 1-2-601 Vibration Testing
This ITOP (International Test Operations Procedure) describes two types of vibration tests. As an ISO-17025 accredited environmental compliance test lab, we realize the importance of random vibration testing. Meeting the ITOP 1-2-601 requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process.
Keystone Compliance partners with customers to achieve environmental product compliance. Also, we create an accurate test plan to eliminate expensive over-testing. We take pride in knowing that our proven process helps avoid product launch delays.
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Summary of ITOP No: 1-2-601 Compliance Testing
There are two types of vibration tests this standard evaluates. First, a mission/field-secured cargo test. This simulates the transportation of army material during shipments. Second, an application-induced vibration test to simulate the tactical vibration environment experienced by equipment in/on ground vehicles or helicopters. The ITOP tests apply to:
- Ammunition (including close-support rockets and missiles)
- Electronic equipment
- Mechanical equipment
- Optical Equipment
This ITOP 1-2-601 vibration test is not intended to represent the vibration environments for equipment installed in fixed-wing aircraft, missiles, and ships. Information on these environments is found in MIL-STD-810.
ITOP 1-1-601 Compliance Testing Program
The vibration environment is divided into two major categories: logistical and tactical. Most equipment is subjected to vibration induced by a carrying platform. For these environments to be considered applicable, the item must be one of two.
Either the item is intended as a mission requirement or expected to spend most of its service life exposed to the environment. A unit can be exposed to environments as a consequence of its deployment, storage, or use.
It is important to note that under these guidelines, most material will experience exposure to both logistical and tactical vibration environments. Test programs are provided for exposure of a specific test item to various combinations of vibrations experienced.
Conditioning
If the unit is to be tested in packaged conditions, a sample is randomly selected. Each sample is opened and examined. The entire lot is examined if evidence of a nonstandard condition is found.
If the unit is to be tested in an unpackaged condition, the units are inspected. Units that are damaged are rejected from the tests.
The ITOP standard requires the lab to condition the test item to temperatures ranging from 63 C to -51 C. The relative humidity must range from 5% to 95%.
Selection of Vibration Schedules
Test Tolerances
The test control signal can not deviate from the specified requirements by more than +/- 3 dB for all frequencies less than 500 Hz. On the other hand, the control signal can not deviate by more than +/- 6 dB for all frequencies greater than 500 Hz.
Test Procedures
The secure cargo test ensures that the shipping configuration is safe to transport and will not be negatively affected by the vibration environment.
To conduct these tests, the package is secured firmly to the vibration fixture. Unpackaged items are also to be fastened to the vibration fixture in their normal orientation.
In addition to secured-cargo transportation, most military material is exposed to vibration environments due to its intended application. Electromechanical devices are mounted in/on various racks, panels, and other locations. These devices are then subjected to the vibration environment for the vehicle’s lifetime or the installed device’s service life.
Devices installed in/on helicopters must ensure that they will withstand vibrations from their expected life on a helicopter. The vibration environment of the helicopter is broken down into two areas.
- Material installed as external stores. I.e. attached to the wings, or pylons of a helicopter
- Material installed within the helicopter. I.e In racks, panels, or on/in other aircraft structures.
Expert ITOP 1-2-601 Vibration Compliance Testing
Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. Keystone has a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling. In addition to environmental vibration testing, Keystone has a full scope of expertise including solar radiation, sand and dust, immersion, and fungus.
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