ATA Engineering MIPS Test Table  

University of California, San Diego

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 

MAE 156B: Senior Design Project

ATA-Engineering MIPS Shock Table

     This project focuses on the design, development, and testing of a Mechanical Impulse Pyro Shock (MIPS) table for ATA Engineering. Our team is building on the pneumatic firing mechanism developed by the 2025 MAE 156 team and expanding it into a complete shock table capable of generating a controlled, repeatable shock environment. The system is designed to launch a slug into a resonant plate, enabling measurement and analysis of the resulting response for aerospace shock testing. Key areas of work include the table structure, resonant plate mounting, back-pressure mitigation, and improved velocity measurement.

MAE 156B Objective

     The objective of MAE 156B is to demonstrate that the MIPS Shock Table can meet the provided Shock Response Spectrum (SRS) and tolerance requirements in a verification test. To support this goal, the project must safely and repeatedly launch a 1 kg slug at an exit velocity of 6 to 13 m/s with ±0.5 m/s accuracy, eliminate double impacts, and incorporate remote firing and venting for safe operation.

Current Focus

     This quarter, our team is focused on validating the existing firing mechanism, reducing technical risk in the sensing and venting systems, and developing the table prototype using extruded aluminum before moving toward a more permanent final structure.

Description of Design Solution

     The final design of the MIPS test table consists of a modified pneumatic firing mechanism designed by a previous MAE 156 team in addition to a prototype test table with an upgraded velocity measurement system to meet the performance, safety, and repeatability requirements specified by ATA. The system provides for the capacity to produce controlled, repeatable shock impulses with the capacity for tuning to a specific SRS shock response. 

     The core of the design, designed previously by the MAE 156 team, consists of an air tank which receives air from an external air supply. The air tank is connected to a solenoid valve, which when activated releases the pressurized air into the barrel. The slug, which is initially seated at the bottom of the barrel, travels up the barrel when the solenoid value is activated and impacts the resonant plate. The resonant plate is mounted to the barrel with a table support system which also serves as a mount for the pneumatic firing mechanism. To prevent the double tap phenomena experienced by the previous team, where the slug impacts the resonant plate multiple times,  a series of strategically placed holes were drilled into the barrel for pressure relief. Additionally, a solenoid valve is attached to the nozzle to vent the residual back pressure from the barrel after firing. For data acquisition, a pressure transducer is integrated into the firing system to monitor the air pressure in the system and a series of beam break sensors are also integrated into the barrel for impact velocity measurement. Taking account for safety, the system utilizes a pressure relief valve and a remote-operated active relief ball valve. A light tower has been implemented along with according safety documents to minimize risk during high-pressure operations.