There are many shock dynos on the market, from various suppliers. Of course, we like to think that our KTL Te.Sense Dart shock dynos are superior in terms of performance and value. But as you search for the best fit for your needs, you may come across other manufacturers such as LABA7, CTW Automation, and others.

 

There are also many different types of shock dynos. Typically, shock dynos are identified by their motion generation mechanism. Here's a quick overview:

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Scotch Yoke Dyno (SYD): Damper motion is linear and sinusoidal because it is created by a crank and yoke mechanism that is driven by a (rotary) electric motor. This is perhaps the most common type of shock dyno, and it's generally considered to strike a good balance between performance and cost. SYD dynos are accurate, reliable, and versatile, making them a common choice for workshops and racing teams that wish to conduct steady-state testing, perform durability work, conduct comparative damper characterizations, and parameterize physical dampers for simulation models.

Electromagnetic Dyno (EMD | EMA | EM): Electro-magnetic dynos drive the damper directly with linear motor(s). This allows arbitrary motion profiles, rapid reversals, and high-bandwidth control that can more closely replicate complex, real-world suspension events. Some electro-magnetic dynos can also be integrated with mechanical Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations. Compared to SYD, electro-magnetic dynos can be more powerful, and can require less maintenance due to fewer mechanical wear points.

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Crank-Based Dyno (CBD): Damper motion is non-linear, created directly by mounting one end of the damper eccentrically on a rotating crank. This is a very simple design with fewer parts than other dyno types. However, it is considered less accurate due to being less balanced, and it may introduce unwanted bending loads on the damper.

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Hydraulic Dyno (HYD): Damper motion is linear, generated by a hydraulic system that can be programmed to deliver controlled shock waves and vibrations. These dynos are less precise in terms of generating specific motion and force profiles, but because they can generate high forces, they can be useful for some industrial, heavy-duty and aerospace applications.

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Hand-Operated Dyno (HOD): These small, bench-top devices require an operator to exercise a damper by hand. Damper motion and speed is difficult to control precisely, as it is determined by moving a manual handle. High forces are also difficult to acheive. These dynos are simple and inexpensive, but are typically used for testing non-automotive dampers such as those used for bicycles and light industrial applications.