Excitation device for high frequency vibration analysis: Design and test results

In the present paper, the design and optimization of a high frequency excitation source is presented. The device was developed for a harmonic response analysis test bench, aimed at dynamic characterization and resonance prediction of mechanical structures. A wide frequency range must be covered, depending on the analyzed structure: the range 1–10 kHz was considered in the present work. The device was designed for a test bench aimed at investigating the vibrational response of centrifugal compressor bladed wheels. A really compact solution was needed since the final test bench provides one exciter for each blade (up to 20 devices on the circumference hoop). Both contact and contactless solutions were considered, but only the contact solution was found to fulfill all the specifications. Finally, different stinger solutions were proposed and compared in the paper. The investigated solutions were: a beam stinger (diameter 1 mm); a wire stinger (diameter 0.2 mm); and a ball stinger (diameter 3 mm) with two different support solutions. Experimental tests performed on a device prototype allowed to verify the specifications fulfillment and to choose the best stinger solution for the application.