Welcome to an insightful journey through handling unexpected yet common occurrences in vibration testing processes—interruptions due to non-product related failures. Our resilience is tested not when things go smoothly, but when we encounter the unexpected. In the lengthy and rigorous vibration tests, let’s explore how to stand steadfast and manage interruptions with precision and care.
In the course of vibration testing, interruptions are not unusual, especially in durability vibration tests which take an extensive amount of time. Once an interruption happens, it’s crucial to immediately halt the test and investigate the cause. The response must be targeted and tailored to address any subsequent tests effectively.
Non-Product Fault-Induced Interruptions:
This type of interruption is characterized by the test product still functioning normally without structural damage. Reasons might include faults in the vibration test equipment or measurement devices, power supply failures, or human errors. The approach to deal with such interruptions varies as follows:
- Tolerable Interruptions:
If all vibration test parameters remained within the permitted error range before the interruption, the test can proceed after rectifying the cause of interruption. The duration of the test before the interruption should be included in the total test time. - Significant Interruptions Below the Test Tolerance:
If the test conditions fall below the specified lower limit of test tolerance when the interruption occurs, review the test records to find the time when the test conditions first dropped and restart the test from this point after readjusting the parameters to meet the required test conditions—unless specified otherwise. The test must then continue until conclusion. If, at the end of the test, it is discovered that there have been periods of ‘insufficient’ testing, the parameters should be adjusted to meet the required test conditions, and the total time of ‘insufficient’ testing should be compensated for before making a final decision. - Excessive Interruptions Over the Test Tolerance:
When the interruption occurs with test conditions above the upper limit of test tolerance, testing should, in principle, stop immediately, and a new test sample should begin testing afresh. If the disruption is adjacent to the halfway point of the test duration, the following approaches can be taken depending on different situations:
a. If the test article was not damaged before the interruption, it’s feasible to resume testing with the original item. Control the test conditions to re-enter the allowable error range and continue with subsequent tests. If, by the end of the test, the article shows no faults or damage, it indicates good vibration environment adaptability and the test is considered successful.
b. If the damage caused by over-testing before interruption is limited to a part or component that is not relevant to the objectives of the current test, and it is known that the damage was caused solely due to over-testing, then it’s possible to repair the test item and continue with the prescribed duration. If the decision is made to repair the test item and proceed with subsequent tests, the client’s consent must be obtained to avoid disputes in case of failure during the subsequent tests.
c. Should the product fail in subsequent vibration tests that comply with test conditions before the interruption, and unless there’s sufficient reason to believe that the prior excessive test conditions did not impact the failure, the results should not conclude that the product is unfit for the given vibrational environment. The pre-interruption excess may have caused cumulative damage to the test item, which might have exacerbated under the given subsequent vibrational conditions, thereby causing the product to fail. To accurately determine whether the product can adapt to the specified vibrational environment, new test pieces must be used to repeat the test.
In discerning the path forward amidst non-product related interruptions in vibration testing, precision in acknowledging and adapting to these events safeguards quality. Equipped with a comprehensive protocol for handling such disruptions, we can confidently approach further tests with assurance, embracing resilience as a guiding principle.
Another interruptions initiated by product malfunctions themselves. Please check this artical article.