OMIC R&D Installs Nation’s Only Cooperatively Accessible Shimadzu Ultrasonic Fatigue System
The Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center, Research & Development (OMIC R&D) has expanded its advanced testing capabilities with the installation of a Shimadzu Scientific Very High-Cycle Fatigue System, marking a significant step forward in materials testing for modern manufacturing environments. The equipment was funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under a subcontract agreement.
Installed in the OMIC R&D Subtractive Center during the first week of May, the system enables rapid fatigue testing of metallic materials at ultrasonic frequencies, drastically reducing the time required to simulate long-term stress and fatigue failures. This capability is essential for accelerating research into material performance, particularly in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and advanced tooling.
“Access to this system enhances our capability to evaluate material performance under dynamic loading conditions for industrial applications with improved efficiency,” said Professor Mostafa Saber, Principal Investigator at OMIC R&D and faculty at Oregon Institute of Technology. “It opens the door to joint research projects in manufacturing environments that previously weren’t feasible in the U.S. due to limited availability of this technology.”
The addition of this tool further distinguishes OMIC R&D as one of the few facilities in the United States offering open, collaborative access to an advanced ultrasonic fatigue testing system. Acquired through a strategic partnership with OMIC R&D, the Oregon Institute of Technology’s system removes a key barrier to very high-cycle fatigue research and positions Oregon as a national leader in fatigue analysis and materials testing.
“OMIC R&D is committed to providing open access to cutting-edge tools and expanding what’s possible for industry and academic collaboration,” said Don Hendrickson, Executive Director of OMIC R&D. “This installation speaks to our mission of advancing manufacturing by creating industry innovation and serving as a national hub for this kind of work.”
The Shimadzu system is now fully operational and available for use by OMIC R&D’s membership.
Power Transmission Engineering is THE magazine of mechanical components. PTE is written for engineers and maintenance pros who specify, purchase and use gears, gear drives, bearings, motors, couplings, clutches, lubrication, seals and all other types of mechanical power transmission and motion control components.