CALABASAS, Calif., Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- National
Technical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTSC) (NTS), a leading provider of
testing and engineering services, today announced it has developed
a new, accurate, physics-based computer modeling approach that
enables the custom design of shock test apparatus and setup needed
to perform high intensity shock tests required on flight hardware
for rocket launch vehicles. The modeling approach, developed by the
NTS Ordnance Sciences Division based in Dana Point, CA, is the first of its kind
created specifically for aerospace and defense customers in the
Space Mission and Space Launch System (SLS) industry.
All flight hardware used in rocket engines and space craft must
be tested to insure it can withstand pyrotechnic shocks that occur
during launch, stage separations, and throughout the spacecraft
mission profile and still function during flight. Historically, the
method used to develop apparatus to perform these shock tests has
been based on empirical experience gained only from prior testing
that may not reflect the precise shock requirements imposed on the
new flight hardware.
If the design of the ordnance induced pyrotechnic shock test
does not accurately reflect the requirement, the results of the
subsequent testing performed is difficult to assess, noted
Jon Conner, NTS Director,
Engineering Services, whose group created the new computer modeling
approach. The actual tests, which involve inducing pyrotechnic
shock by actually detonating explosives against the test apparatus
to which the flight hardware is mounted, are expensive and time
consuming so it's imperative that the test designs be accurate
before they are conducted, Conner added.
"This is a dramatic paradigm shift for the industry," Conner
said. "For years, this kind of testing was more an art than a
science. Typically you would grossly over-test the hardware to
insure the minimum shock level was achieved across the entire
frequency spectrum, which can work if the hardware tests out
positively. But if it fails, you don't know if it failed because
the hardware needs to be re-developed to insure adequate margin, or
if the failure was due to the gross over-test across much of the
frequency spectrum. Our modeling approach brings more science to
the pyrotechnic shock test design process, which leads to a better
testing and more accurate interpretation of the results."
The model created by the NTS team is custom-designed to assure
flight hardware developers that the tests will accurately meet
their product shock test requirements and provide valid results
that will qualify the hardware for space flight, Conner added.
"We actually model the test environment in excruciating detail,"
Conner said. "The result is a model that accurately replicates the
physics of an ordnance induced pyrotechnic shock test."
NTS also performs the high intensity shock testing at its
Santa Clarita facility using a
pneumatic, cantilever beam shock machine based on a design created
by Sandia National Laboratory.
About NTS Dana Point
The technical personnel at NTS Dana Point have extensive
experience in all aspects of computer-aided engineering (CAE)
analysis, product lifecycle requirements, failure analysis and the
development of custom test apparatus. The facility runs
start-to-finish projects including engineering design analysis of a
new product; complex engineering thermal and/or structural
analysis; customized test apparatus design; development for
qualification for complete system to customer-specified
requirements.
About National Technical Systems (NTS)
National Technical Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of
engineering services to the aerospace, defense, telecommunications,
automotive and high technology markets. Through a world-wide
network of resources, NTS provides full product life-cycle support,
offering world class design engineering, compliance, testing,
certification, quality registration and program management. For
additional information about NTS, visit the Company's website at
www.nts.com or call 800-270-2516.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this
press release that relate to future plans, events or performance,
are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties
pertaining to customer orders, demand for services and products,
development of markets for the companies' services and products and
other risks identified in the companies' SEC filings. Actual
results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The companies
undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any
revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding
National Technical Systems' business which are not historical facts
are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and
uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties,
which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in
the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's
Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal
year.
www.nts.com
Contact: Allen
& Caron Inc
|
National Technical
Systems
|
Jill Bertotti
(investors)
|
Aaron Cohen
(corporate)
|
jill@allencaron.com
|
aaron.cohen@nts.com
|
Len Hall
(media)
|
(818)
591-0776
|
len@allencaron.com
|
Dwight Moore
(technical)
|
(949)
474-4300
|
dwight.moore@nts.com
|
|
(978) 263-2933 Ext.
273
|
SOURCE National Technical Systems, Inc.