Design and Integration of a Large Capacity/General Purpose 6-DOF Servo-Hydraulic Excitation System

Multiple-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) excitation systems vary widely in performance, size, actuator selection, and general geometric configuration. When acquiring an MDOF excitation system it is imperative that the test objectives be clearly defined and performance criteria demonstrated prior to system integration. Development of a general purpose 6-DOF system will be illustrated from establishment of a general scope of work, through a detailed design effort, to ultimate integration of the system into a dynamics laboratory.