Acoustic Micro-Imaging
Acoustic Micro-Imaging Customer Case The customer is a leader in the field of acoustic micro-imaging. They use pulse ultrasound to image non-human materials. The ultrasound frequency used is between 100 and 200 MHz, as the materials they study can handle these frequencies (one cannot normally use such high frequencies with human tissue). The customer's PRF (Pulse Repeat Frequency) is approximately 4 KHz, with a PRI (Pulse Repeat Interval) of 250 ms. They need to capture approximately 2 ms (1,000 points) of data for each pulse. The customer wants scope emulation software to allow verification of board operation without having [...]
Ideal Charge Amplifier for Piezoelectric Sensor
Ideal Charge Amplifier for Piezoelectric Sensor Aviation (Turbine Engines), Automotive Research and Development, Industrial Manufacturing Vibration Monitoring: Turbine Engines; Vehicle Testing Pressure Monitoring: Combustion Engines; Pumps, Turbines Amplitude Measurements:  Acceleration, Vibration, Pressure Description Ideal Charge Amplifier for Piezoelectric Sensors Piezoelectric sensors, such as accelerometers for turbine vibration measurement and pressure transducers for combustion dynamics monitoring (CDM), generate a high-impedance charge output. This output requires proper conditioning and amplification before it can be transmitted over system cabling to measurement instrumentation. This is where a charge amplifier for piezoelectric sensors also known [...]
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Scanning Inspection
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Scanning Inspection Customer Case The customer is testing interior of pipes with time-resolved fluorescence, a Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT), a transducer with 8 MHz BandWidth and an integration chamber. They are searching for rare events and the scan width is approximately 3.5 inches. Multiple Record: 350 scans x 3 Kpts. GaGe Case Solution We recommended 5X-10X over sampling - therefore CompuScope 14100, CompuScope 12100, or even the 8-bit CS8500 may be sufficient. For a CS8500 Single Record example, say, at the single-channel sampling-rate of 50 MS/s, a 3000 point (i.e. 3 KS) acquisition would take about [...]
Vibration and Balancing Systems: The Spectrum Plot
The Spectrum Plot: Types of Aircraft Vibration One of the least understood features of the PBS series of vibration analyzers is the spectrum function. The spectrum functionality is a more difficult function to understand, but once mastered, technicians can quickly develop an extremely in-depth understanding on what is going on in an engine during a test. Figure 1, below, shows a basic spectrum from the PBS system. On the x-axis is frequency, measured in Hz (per second). On the y-axis is amplitude, measured in units of velocity, inches per second pk, or IPS pk. Figure 1: Basic Spectrum [...]
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of Concrete Structures
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) of Concrete Structures Customer Case Our customer needs to perform Non Destructive Testing (NDT) to test concrete. The testing method involves using a special hammer mounted with a geophone, which serves as a transducer. They strike the concrete structure with the hammer and record the results for analysis. A definitive echo in the signal will be appear should there be a crack or a weak point in the concrete. GaGe Case Solution The customer was looking for a low-cost board that would be able to sample at 20 MHz or more, so we recommended the CompuScope [...]
Capacitive vs. Eddy Current Sensors: A Comparison for Non-Contact Measurement
Capacitive vs. Eddy Current Sensors: A Comparison for Non-Contact Measurement Capacitive vs. Eddy Current Sensors: A Comparison for Non-Contact Measurement Manufacturing Ev Battery Production Thickness, Distance This application note from MTI Instruments compares two widely used types of non-contact sensors: eddy current sensors and capacitive sensors. It covers their basic operating principles, provides a quick comparison, and offers guidance for selecting the right sensor for your application. Capacitive Sensors: Operating Principles and Applications Capacitive sensors use electric fields to measure the distance between the sensor face and the target surface. These sensors are particularly effective [...]
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for Steel Manufacturing
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for Steel Manufacturing Customer Case The customer is a custom-built contractor of Non-Destructive Test (NDT) instruments for steel manufacturing. NDT uses ultrasonic pulses to scan through thick sheets of metals for possible causes of early wear, such as cracks or impurities. The stimulus is a stream of ultrasonic pulses. The response is their reflection from various depths. The center frequencies used by this customer are in the range of 250 KHz to 2.25 MHz and pulses are about 10 microseconds. The pulse repeat frequency (PRF) is less than 1 KHz. The thickness of steel sheets is [...]
Thickness Measurement of Dielectric Materials
Thickness Measurement of Dielectric Materials Manufacturing EV Battery Production Thickness, Distance --- Description --- Introduction Many applications, both in manufacturing and research, require precise material thickness measurements. This becomes especially difficult if the material is moving, is non conductive and/or translucent to clear. The specifics of your application may make accurate measurements difficult; many circumstances prohibit contact measurement, and make laser measurements difficult or impossible, for example with thin clear materials such as glass, sapphire, plastic . In cases such as these, capacitance measurement provides a highly accurate and cost-effective solution. [...]
Galvannealing Phosphor Thermometry
Galvannealing Phosphor Thermometry Customer Case During the process of galvanizing, steel is dipped in a bath of liquid tin to increase its resistance to oxidation and moisture. After galvanizing, a precise heat treatment allows control of the mechanical properties of the final galvanized steel. This heat treatment is known as galvannealing. During galvannealing, precise temperature control is necessary to promote the desired grain growth in the steel's tin-rich coating. Galvanneal thermometry is difficult. The rolling of the hot steel makes contact thermocouples and optical pyrometry impractical. A customer's galvanneal furnace is equipped for phosphor thermometry. This novel technique uses [...]
Foam Density Measurement: Capacitance Sensors vs. Nuclear Gauges
Foam Density Measurement: Capacitance Sensors vs. Nuclear Gauges Foam Density Measurement Manufacturing EV Battery Production Thickness, Distance This application note from MTI Instruments compares two technologies for measuring foam density: capacitance sensors and nuclear gauges. It examines the basic operating principles of each technology and explains why capacitance measurement is recommended for in-line measurement during foam manufacturing. Capacitance Sensors Capacitive probes are non-contact devices that use electric fields to measure foam density. In combination with a thickness value, a density measurement may be calculated. These probes consist of a capacitance [...]