Custom Shake Table Components & Precision Hydraulic Accessories
A high-performance earthquake simulator or dynamic vibration testing platform is only as dependable as the components driving it. At Servo Hydraulic Solutions in Boulder, Colorado, we engineer and supply precision shake table components built from reliable Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware. Backed by nearly 20 years of global installation and testing experience, we provide individual mechanical and hydraulic components to upgrade, repair, or build custom testing systems.
High-Performance Actuators & Servo Control Valves
We supply precision actuators designed to meet the rigorous demands of continuous structural and seismic simulation:
- Fatigue rated actuator systems: Built for continuous, high-cycle durability testing without mechanical fatigue or failure. Designed with chrome-plated, heat-treated alloy piston rods and high-integrity polymer bearings for consistent load application over millions of cycles.
- Single-Ended & Double-Ended Actuators: Our customizable AN Series actuators offer a cost-effective solution for static and low-cycle structural testing, accommodating long stroke lengths and unequal tension/compression forces.
- Servo Valves & Manifolds: High-response voice coil servo valves and precision-machined hydraulic manifold blocks that ensure seamless interfacing with motion platforms and shake tables.
Custom Hydraulic Power Supplies & Pumping Systems
Powering your laboratory equipment reliably requires clean, scalable, and well-regulated hydraulic flow:
- Custom Hydraulic Power Supplies (HPS): Open-frame, laboratory-grade power units engineered to match your facility's exact flow (GPM) and operating pressure requirements. Equipped with oversized stainless-steel reservoirs and micro-clean filtration.
- Low noise hydraulic pumping system configurations: Specially engineered acoustic-dampened pumping layouts and remote pump controls designed for quiet indoor university and research laboratory environments.
- Safety & Interlocks: Integrated failsafe interlocks and thermal monitoring to protect high-value test payloads during unattended durability testing.
The COTS Advantage: No Proprietary Vendor Lock-In
Unlike traditional manufacturers who lock laboratories into expensive proprietary catalogs, our commitment to Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) engineering ensures that your replacement seals, bearings, filters, and valves can be sourced globally. We even provide easy-to-use field repair kits so your on-site technicians can perform routine maintenance—slashing downtime and long-term service costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shake Table Components
1. What types of COTS shake table components do you supply?
We supply a comprehensive range of precision Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, including fatigue rated actuators, single-ended AN series actuators, servo valves, hydraulic manifolds, load cells, digital controllers, and Custom Hydraulic Power Supplies.
2. What makes a fatigue rated actuator different from a standard hydraulic cylinder?
A fatigue rated actuator is specifically engineered to endure continuous, high-cycle dynamic testing over millions of cycles without structural failure. They utilize specialized polymer bearings, heat-treated alloy piston rods, and high-pressure seals to prevent wear during rapid seismic simulation.
3. Can you design a low noise hydraulic pumping system for indoor laboratories?
Yes. We specialize in low noise hydraulic pumping system configurations. By utilizing acoustic-dampened enclosures, precision motor-pump alignment, and dedicated remote pump room controls, we minimize ambient laboratory noise for university and research facilities.
4. Can I use Servo Hydraulic Solutions components to upgrade another manufacturer's shake table?
Absolutely. Because our shake table components are designed around open-architecture COTS standards, they can be integrated into existing testing systems from almost any manufacturer—revitalizing legacy equipment without proprietary restrictions.
5. What are the benefits of Open-Frame Custom Hydraulic Power Supplies?
Our Open-Frame Custom Hydraulic Power Supplies feature laboratory-grade pumps, oversized stainless-steel baffling reservoirs for heat and air dissipation, and micro-clean filtration. They are designed for continuous failsafe operation across single or multiple test stations.
6. Do you offer field replacement kits for actuator maintenance?
Yes. We design our actuators with easily removable seal and bearing cartridges. We supply field repair kits that allow your local lab technicians to replace worn seals on-site—significantly reducing maintenance downtime and service expenses.
High Performance Actuators
The GS Series double-ended actuators offer equal areas for tensile and compressive loading, ensuring linearity during dynamic test loads. Careful stress management ensures infinite life expectancy for all parts. Featuring hydrostatic bearings in the end-caps, these actuators provide low-friction support for the piston rod, preventing galling under high side loads. Bronze back-up bearings offer additional protection in case of hydraulic bearing failure. GS Series Actuators are ideal for bi-directional dynamic structural test applications with side loads or where low friction-induced distortion is crucial. They are versatile but higher priced compared to other options. Fatigue-rated with a chrome-plated heat-treated alloy piston rod, these actuators incorporate hydraulic cushions to prevent damage in case of a runaway condition. Customizable to meet specific requirements, GS Series Actuators offer flexibility in stroke and force ratings, ensuring tailored solutions for various applications.
Hydraulic Service Manifolds
Hydraulic Service Manifolds (HSM) from Servo Hydraulic Solutions are designed to isolate the pump from the test stand while providing accumulation and filtration. They offer separate filtered circuits for valve pilot and hydrostatic bearing pressures as needed. Multiple stations with switchable solenoids and pressure gauges ensure efficient monitoring and control of output pressures. Our manifolds feature full-flow 3-micron filtration for the main circuit and, where applicable, for servo valve pilot and hydrostatic bearing circuits. This filtration protects downstream components from hydraulic oil impurities, ensuring optimal performance. With slow pressure ramp-up from OFF to LOW to HIGH pressure, our manifolds eliminate pressure pulses, safeguarding specimens and personnel from sudden load spikes. Operated by 24V solenoids, they are compatible with other manufacturers’ controllers.
About Servo Hydraulic Systems
Led by Doug Weller, Servo Hydraulic Solutions in Boulder, Colorado specializes in custom earthquake simulators, vibration testing systems, and shake tables using commercial off-the-shelf components.
We prioritize customer input and tailor solutions to individual needs, with nearly 20 years of experience in installation and testing. We offer remote services nationally and internationally.
If your current system needs troubleshooting or upgrades, we can revitalize it with computer interfaces and updates, leveraging our expertise with analog systems.
We emphasize local labor and materials for higher-quality results and reduced service calls, ultimately aiming to save our customers money.