Test Chamber Upgrades Benefit Warfighter

By Mr. Al C Vogel (ATEC)January 30, 2015

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DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah (January 30, 2015) -- Upgrades totaling nearly $2.8 million at U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) are underway for four different test systems that replicate harsh transport or environmental conditions in an effort to test durability before fielding to the warfighter.

A remote Army post in the Utah desert, DPGs primary mission is to test defenses against chemical and biological warfare agents such as; protective clothing, detectors, air filtration systems and breathing apparatuses. All of which require durability testing before fielding.

By April, DPG's 1980s vibration chamber will be replaced with a $1.4 million Multi Shaker Vibration System, made in California. Items will be tested with vertical, horizontal and transverse vibration to simulate transport by ship, aircraft and land vehicles.

The new vibration system has two shaker heads; the 1980s system has one. Jim Barnett, Physical & Environmental Branch Chief of the Test Support Division at DPG's West Desert Test Center, estimates that one shaker head will be used for 80 percent of testing. The second shaker head can back up the first, or provide more power.

"Basically, what we'd do is take two smaller vibration units and couple them together to create one larger vibration unit," said Barnett. "Coupling them gives you the power to work with large loads." Each shaker head generates 26,400 force pounds. The 23,000-pound shaker table is displaced up to 2 inches. Maximum weight capacity is 3,400 pounds. Installation of the Multi Shaker Vibration system begins in mid-February, with completion in March.

Three other test system upgrades totaling an estimated $1.4 million will replace aging systems: A Solar Radiation Chamber is being built in Salt Lake City. It replicates long-term sunlight to determine if markings fade, materials break down and plastic becomes brittle, to name a few. Delivery is expected next summer. A Blowing Dust Chamber is expected to be completed in early 2016 and A High Speed Wind Machine, to simulate high winds or driven rain, will be the final system upgrade.

Upgrade planning began in 2010, when Barnett and co-worker Brent Sigvardt conducted market research, and met with other testers to discuss their experiences, praises and regrets. Upgrading has taken years, mostly because the test systems are so specific.

"Everything is long term," Barnett said. "These aren't items that are available off the shelf. They have to be built."