High-G Shock Testing Machine

A shock testing machine comprising:

• a test platform upon which one or more objects to be tested are mounted;
• one or more rails upon which the test platform is movable in a longitudinal direction;
• and
• a brake for stopping the test platform relative to the one or more rails, the brake comprising:
• a brake material for generating a frictional force to stop the test platform when the brake material is urged against an opposed braking surface;
• two or more links for rotatably connecting the brake material to the test platform;
• a biasing spring to bias the brake material towards the braking surface;
• a restraint mechanism for restraining the braking material, against a biasing force of the biasing spring, in a retracted position where the braking material is separated from the braking surface by a gap;
• and
• a release mechanism for releasing the restraint of the release mechanism at a prescribed time, position or velocity to bias the brake material against the braking surface;
• wherein the two or more links are configured such that relative movement between the brake material and braking surface while the brake material and braking surface are engaged causes a frictional force between the brake material and braking material to increase.