We started designing and manufacturing head expanders in the 1980s. Today, Centrotecnica has exclusive know-how in the manufacture of head expanders for environmental vibration and shock test.
The function of the head expander is to expand the work area on which to place the test specimens.
Head expanders can be used on any type of shaker for vertical axis tests.
Having a larger work surface to place the samples means that larger samples or several samples simultaneously can be tested.
This is why head expanders are the most popular and most widely used shaker accessories.
Each Centrotecnica head expander is designed and manufactured with the aid of FEM analysis and the most advanced technologies available.
The choice of production materials is guided by the need to save weight.
ALUMINIUM HEAD EXPANDERS: these are by far the most popular because of the lightness, low cost and ease of processing of this metal.
MAGNESIUM HEAD EXPANDERS: they are significantly lighter but have a similar dynamic behaviour to aluminium head expanders. Magnesium, however, is a more expensive metal and more difficult to machine, which is why it is only used in cases where limiting the head expander's mass is a must.
The head expander sector is an area that is poorly innovated. Computational and design tools are improved, but basically head expanders have not changed significantly over time.
Centrotecnica's R&D department has also managed to develop something new in this area.
The Expander Redesign has new rib profiles, the possibility of combining aluminium and magnesium elements and four points in its favour:
DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR: low level of resonances in the test frequency range. Resonance frequencies can seriously affect the correct performance of the test.
LIGHTWEIGHT: weight savings result in greater efficiency and improved shaker performance.
All head expanders from Centrotecnica are delivered with technical reports attesting to their high production standards.
Modal analysis: head expanders are tested by means of the hammer test to identify resonance frequencies and the best control strategies. The results are reported in the test report.
Damping: this is a thin, lightweight plate that is intended to dampen resonance vibrations.
Interface plates: for adapting fixtures or samples to the head expander's drilling mask.
Instant Clamp: patent-pending product of great added value in economic and practical terms. It makes it simple and ultra-fast (less than 30 seconds) to mount or change the axis of the fixture to the shaker, slip table or head expander.
The ordered head expanders are delivered worldwide carefully packaged, equipped with the assembly kit and provided with reports detailing their dynamic behaviour profile.
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