Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>This proposal is for establishing a high-bandwidth, high-capacity, six-axis servo motion vibration testing platform through the purchase and integration of six high-speed hydraulic actuators with our existing equipment. Such vibration testing platforms are normally very expensive (over a million dollars); however, due to our pre-existing equipment (including hydraulic power pack, real-time multi-axis control system, servo valve drives, and already developed control module for the table), we could acquire this important testing system through this RTI funding program. These actuators, specially designed to operate for long durations of time at very high speeds will be used in multiple research groups within the departments of Mechanical and Mechatronics, and Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo.</p> <p>The table will serve as a testing platform for several research programs, including: active/adaptive suspension systems and dampers, vehicle mounting systems, vehicle and seat vibration isolation devices, and multi-axis fatigue life prediction. These research programs contribute to improved vehicle efficiency and stability through durability and suspension performance evaluation. They also contribute to improved driver and passenger comfort through the study of vehicle seat vibration tests. This equipment will allow the validation of theoretical findings with experimental data, and it will be a crucial element in the evaluation of our prototypes against industry requirements. Furthermore, the requested infrastructure will allow us to address the research needs of several companies that have already contacted us for such facility to initiate new collaborative research.</p> <p> <br /> Our proposed method of acquiring such an advanced and versatile piece of equipment is through purchasing only the actuators and integrating them into our pre-existing hydraulic power pack, real-time multi-axis control system, and controller. The frame of the table has already been designed and will be fabricated in our machine shop. The applicants&rsquo; extensively vast knowledge and experience with mechatronic systems guarantees the success of this integration. Researchers and students using this lab will have access to high tech, multi-use testing apparatus which would cost over $1 million if purchased commercially&mdash;a price inaccessible to most research centers&mdash;for under $120k.</p>