ES-30 high-frequency vibration system
The ES-30 family is what people turn to when tests demand both high frequency and real payload capability. In practice, that means a shaker capable of running from a few Hz up into the kilohertz range while handling hundreds of kilograms on the table — useful when you must reproduce engine-mount vibration, small-parts resonance, or transport vibration spectra that include high-frequency content. Typical published specs for ES-30 class electrodynamic systems show rated force on the order of 30 kN, frequency ranges from about 3 Hz up into multiple kHz, and payloads in the hundreds of kilograms — numbers that let test labs run sine, random, and even combined profiles with meaningful margins.
Why those numbers matter: vibration is not just “shake it until it breaks.” The test type (sine vs random vs sine-on-random) and the usable frequency band determine what failure modes you’ll see. Sine testing is the tool for finding resonances and verifying structural margins, while random vibration better reflects real transport or service spectra. When both appear in the field, a sine-on-random profile may be the right call. For guidance on standards and when to use each method, refer to IEC vibration methods and industry best practice documents.
From a practical engineering point of view, focus on three things before you book a test: first, know the real field input (measured PSD or acceleration-time traces) so the profile you run is representative; second, instrument the test item — accelerometers on the specimen and on the table are essential; third, set abort/response limits to prevent damage to the fixture or test item from unexpected resonance build-up. These are lessons repeated by test labs and aerospace groups who have refined procedures over the years. NASA
Common failures that vibration testing reveals include solder-joint fatigue on PCBAs, connector failures, and mechanical loosening or fatigue in structural parts. Solder cracks develop through low- or high-cycle fatigue depending on amplitude and frequency; catching these early in the development cycle saves expensive field failures and rework. If you design electronics for transport or industrial machines, validate both board-level and system-level mounts under representative vibration.
If you’re choosing a lab or shaker, look beyond peak acceleration numbers. Check usable force across the frequency band, table transmissibility (how faithfully motion is transferred to the DUT), control system capability (multi-channel control, SoR support), and what fixtures are available for your geometry. The right combination of machine spec, fixture design and data-driven profile is what makes a vibration campaign meaningful — not a single impressive headline spec.
