Mounts for aircraft engineering test rig

Citation

(1998), "Mounts for aircraft engineering test rig", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770dab.009

Mounts for aircraft engineering test rig

Mounts for aircraft engineering test rig

Keywords Aircraft, Metalastik, Mountings, Testing

Metalastik Vibration Control Systems has supplied specially compounded rubber mountings for an aircraft engine test rig at GEC Alsthom's Mechanical Engineering Centre (MEC) (Plate 6).

Plate 6 Metalastik mountings in GEC Alsthom's aero engine test rig

The rig is designed to test the mechanical integrity of the aircraft engine fan under adverse operating conditions, including bird strike, blade off and high cycle fatigue. Under these test conditions it is necessary for the rig to withstand large out-of-balance forces.

To make the test as accurate as possible, Metalastik was asked to devise a test rig engine mount to simulate the real-life structure. The company devised a system of 48 rubber/metal circular units, a type more usually specified for industrial machinery applications. These were fitted around the circumference of the rig backplate and arranged in groups acting in different axes. To achieve the required stiffness in the mounting, the rubber elements in each mount were manufactured from a specially formulated, high damping compound.

For further details contact Metalastik Vibration Control Systems. Tel: +44 (0) 1162 730281; Fax: +44 (0) 1162 735698.