Application Note: Accessing Digital Engine Data for Multi-Platform Aircraft Balancing with MTI PBS Systems
Introduction Modern aircraft engines are no longer dependent solely on discrete analog sensors for critical performance data. Increasingly, vibration amplitudes, phase information, and engine speed are transmitted digitally through aircraft data buses such as ARINC 429 and ARINC 664 Part 7 (AFDX). Yet in many MRO environments, balancing systems continue to rely on accelerometers and tachometer pickups—introducing additional setup time, cabling complexity, and potential variability in measurements. This disconnect between available digital data and traditional measurement approaches creates inefficiencies, particularly for facilities servicing multiple aircraft platforms. For organizations supporting a diverse fleet, the opportunity is clear: leverage the aircraft’s [...]
Portable Engine Balancing: Solving the Small Jet MRO Capacity Crunch
Introduction As the business and regional aviation sector continues its rapid growth, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers are struggling to keep up with demand. Portable engine-balancing technology allows maintenance teams—even less experienced staff—to perform precise vibration assessment and rapid, oneshot balancing onsite. Business Jet Fleet Growth Outpaces MRO Infrastructure The business aviation market has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, with an increasing number of companies and private owners investing in small business jets for both personal and corporate travel. Increases in fractional ownership models and charter services are also helping drive growth. According to recent industry reports, [...]
Brake Rotors
Industry Automotive Applications Brake Rotors Measurement Type Surface Description Under normal operating conditions brake rotors are subjected to extreme temperatures and forces, which can cause rotor distortion and potential failure. To make certain it can withstand these conditions; extensive laboratory testing is performed to optimize design for longevity, short stopping distance, and vibration free operation. Extensive on-vehicle testing is done under real life conditions to test prototype units and engineering designs. Test vehicles are driven for long periods of time while brake performance is monitored by a variety of sensors [...]
GLASS THICKNESS
Industry Consumer Electronics Applications Glass Thickness Measurement Type Thickness Description Did you know that glass thickness can be measured with a capacitance probe? You will need some equipment: Digital Accumeasure D200 ASP-2500-CTA Dielectric probe (The capacitance probe has a sensing area of 11.25 mm) Range extension = 3X, 10Hz filter Introduction: An industrial glass fabricator needed a way to determine the thickness of glass, before cutting it to shape and coating it. The glass sample was marked with indices to find the measuring points. The sample center point -5- thickness was checked [...]
HEIGHT GAP OF INKJET PRINTERS
Industry Consumer Electronics Applications Height Gap Of Inkjet Printers Measurement Type Positioning Description Introduction: Inkjet printers require a certain distance between the inkjet print head and the paper. If the distance is set incorrectly, the printed images get blurry. Current state of the art printers have the print head nozzles built right into the bottom of the ink reservoir (B) as shown below. When the ink cartridge is installed in the printer, the inkjet nozzles (made out of silicon) essentially become a grounded target through the connections shown at [...]
NUCLEAR HEAT EXCHANGER VIBRATION
Power plants, particularly nuclear power plants, require heat exchangers to cool down the primary working fluid for the power plant. Excessive vibration can lead to cracking and premature failure of the heat exchanger. Problem: A major power plant company approached MTI looking for a sensor that could measure vibration of a heat exchanger assembly that was immersed under water. Additionally, the water could reach 250 F and up to 220 PSI; the probe had to be sealed with a gland at a bulkhead feed through area. Solution: MTI developed a special fiber optic probe based on the MTI-2125H probe configuration. The [...]
Precision Control in Semiconductor Wafer Lapping
Application Overview Wafer lapping is a critical semiconductor thinning process that demands tight control to avoid over-removal of material, which can lead to costly yield loss. This application note details how MTI Instruments’ Accumeasure™ capacitive sensing technology enabled precise, real-time displacement and thickness measurement during lapping operations, ensuring consistent wafer quality. Challenge During lapping, wafers are thinned from the backside using a rotating abrasive surface. As the process proceeds, precise feedback is essential to monitor how much material is removed and to determine the wafer's final thickness. Traditional mechanical methods or visual inspections are not sensitive or fast enough [...]
Case-In-Point: MTI Turbine Vibration Analyzer/Balancing System Technology Principles
What do you think when you’re flying home, cruising at 30,000 feet and the drinks have just been served? Our engineers think about the ripple in the glass. That ripple signals vibration and is an indication that the engine may be in need of a balance.
The Cost of Failing to Inspect Semiconductor Wafers
This is the second of three articles in Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Profitability. The first article in this series explains why disc geometry matters. The third article describes the benefits of using semi-automated, fully-automated, and manual systems for wafer metrology and inspection. Most semiconductor wafers are made of silicon, the second most common element in the Earth’s crust. Yet, silicon’s abundance does not mean that wafers are inexpensive. The pure form of silicon that’s used in semiconductors does not occur naturally and must be refined and mixed with a dopant that alters material properties and electrical characteristics. Silicon ingots are formed, wafers [...]
Cable & Wire Troubleshooting Made Easy-Using the MTI 1510 Precision Signal Generator
Cable & Wire Troubleshooting Made Easy Using MTI Instruments 1510A Precision Signal/Function Generator Cable & Wire troubleshooting is important to identify and resolve problems with electrical or data transmission systems. Without proper troubleshooting, systems can fail, causing a range of issues including downtime, lost productivity and safety hazards. MTI Instruments 1510A is ideal for troubleshooting in the instrumentation room, factory floor, flight-line or laboratory. 1510A Key Benefits The 1510A is a portable signal source used for calibrating electronic equipment and machinery monitoring systems. Its portability and ruggedness make it ideal for use in the instrumentation room, [...]








