1. What is a shake table and what is it used for?

A shake table (or seismic simulator) is a dynamic testing platform used to replicate earthquake vibrations, mechanical shock, and transportation stress. They are widely used by universities, research laboratories, and industrial facilities to test the structural integrity and seismic resilience of equipment, civil structures, and aerospace components.

2. What is the difference between servo-hydraulic and electric shake tables?

Servo-hydraulic shake tables are ideal for heavy payloads, large displacements, and high-force dynamic testing, making them industry standards for seismic simulation and structural testing. Electric shake tables are generally used for lighter payloads, higher frequency ranges, and smaller displacement applications where cleaner lab operation is prioritized.

3. Can you design custom shake tables to meet specific testing requirements?

Yes. We specialize in building custom shake tables and custom servo hydraulic systems tailored to your exact payload, frequency range, and multi-axis (DOF) requirements. We match what is technically needed to what can be achieved reliably and economically.

4. What testing standards can Servo Hydraulic Solutions shake tables qualify equipment for?

Our testing systems can be engineered to meet and exceed rigorous international qualification standards, including: IEEE-344 testing systems: For seismic qualification of electrical and safety-related equipment. GR-63 testing systems: (Bellcore / Telcordia) For telecommunication network equipment vibration resistance. ISTA vibration testing: For transit, packaging, and transportation durability. ICC-ES AC156 & DOT: For non-structural components and transportation standards.

5. What are COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) components, and why do you use them?

We build our earthquake simulators and shake tables using dependable Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hydraulic and electrical components. This approach eliminates vendor lock-in, ensures replacement parts are easily available worldwide, lowers long-term maintenance costs, and makes future system upgrades much easier.

6. How are public education and university shake tables different from industrial testing tables?

While industrial tables focus on strict regulatory compliance (like IEEE-344 or GR-63), public education and university shake tables are designed to simulate realistic earthquake experiences for science museums, classrooms, and civil engineering research. They help enhance structural safety education and investigate real-world issues like wall attachments and furniture overturning.

7. Do you provide maintenance and repair for existing servo-hydraulic systems?

Yes, we offer comprehensive existing servo hydraulic maintenance and repair services. Led by Doug Weller, our team has nearly 20 years of experience troubleshooting, repairing, and revitalizing legacy analog systems with modern computer interfaces, updated control systems, and automation upgrades.

8. Can you upgrade an older analog shake table with modern digital controls?

Absolutely. If your current testing equipment is mechanically sound but has outdated electronics, we can modernize it with state-of-the-art digital controllers, custom software interfaces, and electrical control enhancements—saving you the cost of buying an entirely new system.

9. What industries use your custom servo-hydraulic systems?

Our systems are utilized globally across multiple sectors, including: Civil & Structural Engineering: For earthquake simulation and structural health monitoring. Telecommunications & IT: For GR-63-CORE server and rack vibration testing. Aerospace & Defense: For component durability and fatigue-rated testing. Universities & Museums: For seismic research and public safety education.

10. Do you offer on-site field service and international support?

Yes. We provide remote troubleshooting as well as on-site field servo hydraulic service both nationally across the United States and internationally. Our Boulder, Colorado team prioritizes quick response times and high-quality local materials to minimize service calls and downtime.