When test requirements exceed the capacity of standard or T-film bearing slip tables — large satellite structures, military hardware, complex aircraft assemblies — the LDS® HBT Slip Table is the system engineers specify. Carrying payloads up to 12,000 kg (26,455 lb) using true linear hydrostatic bearings, HBT slip tables deliver uniform full-surface load support, high stiffness, exceptional damping and precise pitch, roll and yaw restraint for demanding three-axis sequential vibration testing.

Unlike modular T-film bearing or concrete-base hybrid designs, LDS® HBT slip tables circulate pressurized oil uniformly across the entire interface between the tool-grade magnesium slip plate and the high-stability granite base. This gives every payload — no matter how tall, heavy, or offset its centre of gravity — consistent, resonance-free support throughout the test. Standard table sizes run from 600 × 600 mm to 1,500 × 1,500 mm (23.6 × 23.6 in to 59 × 59 in), and custom dimensions are available on request.

WHY LDS HBT SLIP TABLES

• True linear hydrostatic bearings: pressurized oil supports the full plate surface — not modular bearing pads or hybrid steel-and-concrete bases — for consistent load distribution at all frequencies
• Payload capacity to 12,000 kg (26,455 lb): designed for satellite systems, aircraft assemblies and large defence hardware that exceed standard slip table limits
• High overturning moment tolerance: safely tests tall or eccentric payloads with offset centres of gravity where standard tables fail
• Six standard sizes: HBT 600, HBT 750, HBT 900, HBT 1050, HBT 1220 and HBT 1500 — custom sizes available on request
• Tool-grade magnesium slip plate: optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio eliminates structural resonances from test data
• High-stability granite base: precision-flat surface for repeatable test setup and long-term dimensional stability
• AGREE chamber compatible and CERT-ready: integrates directly with environmental test chambers for combined temperature-vibration testing
• Available as a factory-aligned LDS® combo system or as a stand-alone table for existing shaker retrofits

USE SCENARIOS

• Three-axis sequential vibration testing, including qualification of complete satellite systems
• Space flight simulation and spacecraft structural vibration qualification
• Avionics and military hardware vibration and shock testing per MIL-STD-810, ECSS and NASA GEVS
• Commercial and defence aircraft assembly vibration testing
• Automotive component and vehicle sub-system vibration qualification
• Electronic assembly and PCB-level vibration testing
• Packaging and transport simulation testing
• Combined Environmental Reliability Testing (CERT) with AGREE chambers

COMBO SYSTEMS VS. STAND-ALONE: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONFIGURATION

LDS® combo systems — Shaker and HBT slip table factory-aligned on a single integrated base frame. The combo configuration is recommended for most applications: installation is straightforward, shaker-to-table alignment is permanent and precise, and rotating the system from vertical to horizontal orientation takes minutes rather than hours. LDS® combo systems pair medium- and high-force electrodynamic shakers with HBT slip tables and are compatible with AGREE environmental chambers.

Stand-alone HBT slip table — A trunnion-mounted shaker with a separate HBT table on an independent seismic base is the preferred arrangement for very large or dynamically complex payloads requiring maximum pitch, roll and yaw restraint. This configuration is also chosen when retrofitting an HBT table to an existing shaker installation.

The combo option is preferable in most situations because stand-alone retrofits involve system downtime for installation and alignment, ongoing calibration requirements and higher long-term maintenance costs. Our application engineers can advise on the right configuration for your test profile, payload and facility.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

LDS® HBT slip tables incorporate linear hydrostatic bearings that provide greater load-support capacity than standard oil-film or T-film designs. The combination of high stiffness, active damping and full-surface oil-film support allows payloads with extreme overturning moments — such as tall satellite stacks or cantilevered aircraft wing assemblies — to be tested safely across the full vibration frequency range.

The slip plates are precision-machined from tool-grade magnesium alloy, selected for its exceptional stiffness-to-mass ratio. The base is fabricated from high-stability granite, providing a thermally stable, precision-flat bearing surface with inherently high damping. A film of pressurized oil between the granite base and the magnesium plate ensures uniform load distribution across the entire plate surface.

All LDS® combo systems accept AGREE chamber integration and can be configured for Combined Environmental Reliability Testing (CERT). Optional thermal barriers protect the shaker armature and slip table bearings when testing at elevated temperatures. Compatibility with standard and custom test fixtures, head expanders and environmental enclosures is maintained across all HBT table sizes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a hydrostatic bearing slip table?

A hydrostatic bearing slip table supports the test article on a thin film of pressurized oil circulated between a precision-machined magnesium slip plate and a flat granite base. Unlike rolling-element or T-film bearing designs, hydrostatic bearings provide continuous, full-surface support — delivering higher stiffness, better damping, greater load capacity and smoother horizontal motion. This makes hydrostatic bearing tables the preferred technology for testing heavy payloads with high or offset centres of gravity.

How much weight can an LDS HBT slip table support?

LDS® HBT slip tables support payloads up to 12,000 kg (26,455 lb), depending on table size and configuration. The six standard table sizes — HBT 600, HBT 750, HBT 900, HBT 1050, HBT 1220 and HBT 1500 — accommodate progressively larger and heavier test articles. Custom table sizes are available for payloads or footprints that fall outside the standard range.

What is the difference between an LDS combo system and a stand-alone slip table?

In an LDS® combo system, the electrodynamic shaker and HBT slip table are factory-aligned and mounted on a single integrated base frame. This simplifies installation, eliminates alignment drift and allows rapid orientation changes between vertical and horizontal test axes. A stand-alone slip table pairs a separately trunnion-mounted shaker with an HBT table on its own seismic base — a configuration favoured for extremely large payloads or when retrofitting an existing shaker. The combo system is recommended for most new installations.

Can LDS HBT slip tables be used for satellite vibration testing?

Yes. Satellite vibration qualification is one of the primary use cases for LDS® HBT slip tables. The tables' high payload capacity (up to 12,000 kg), large plate sizes (up to 1,500 × 1,500 mm) and ability to handle extreme overturning moments make them suitable for three-axis sequential testing of complete satellite systems, spacecraft structural elements and associated avionics, in accordance with standards such as MIL-STD-810, ECSS and NASA GEVS.

Are LDS HBT slip tables compatible with environmental test chambers?

Yes. All LDS® combo systems are designed for integration with AGREE-type environmental chambers, enabling Combined Environmental Reliability Testing (CERT) — simultaneous vibration and temperature cycling. Optional thermal barriers are available to protect the shaker armature and slip table bearings when testing at high or low temperature extremes.

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