Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Customer Case This customer manufactures non-destructive test equipment which allows customers such as steel mills to test the quality of their end-products. Presently, the ultrasound frequencies being used are centered at either 5 MHz, 10 MHz or 15 MHz. The worst case analog bandwidth requirement in this case is 35 MHz. In order to set up their equipment properly, the customer presently views the return signal (including the flaw) on an analog oscilloscope with a sweep time of either 50 us or 100 us (providing approximately 5 to 10 inches of depth in a metal). The [...]
Solenoid Door Latches
Solenoid Door Latches Aviation/ Aerospace Solenoid Door Latches Displacement Description A key supplier to the aerospace industry who manufactures many types of solenoid door latches was faced with the requirement to measure the motion of the lock plunger. Since the solenoid latch needs to complete the locking or unlocking cycle in as quickly as 13 milliseconds, it was critical to accurately track the fast motion of the plunger with a measurement system having a frequency response in excess of 100kHz. Because of the limited access to the interior of the [...]
Using Laser Technology to Detect Fatigue Cracks
Using Laser Technology to Detect Fatigue Cracks Aviation/ Aerospace Jet Turbine Blade Vibration Amplitude Description In order to simulate real world conditions turbine blades are vibrated in a sound chamber at a variety of elevated temperatures. A siren directs a blast of pulsed air at the leading edge of the turbine blade creating a tremendous amount of force. This force excites the turbine blade at its resonant frequency, inducing strain in the blade structure. To accurately monitor vibration amplitude and frequency, a non-contact measurement sensor is required. Non-contact eliminates any “mass [...]
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 [...]
Brake Rotors
Brake Rotors Automotive Brake Rotors Surface Description Introduction 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 and [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Tire Tread Measurement
Tire Tread Measurement Automotive Tire Tread Inspection Depth Description Tire manufacturers and Used Tire Reuse Centers want to satisfy their customers, and protect themselves from liabilities. Manufacturers are moving to 100% tire inspection for tread depth, defects and abnormality detection. Defects not only cause potential safety issues but they can also introduce unwanted vibration into the vehicle suspension system and cause excessive road noise. Belts can be overlapped, or not cover the complete tire surface, causing weak or bubbled areas and imbalances. The tread depth can be too shallow, leading to [...]
Piezoelectric Device Amplitude
Piezoelectric Device Amplitude Research & Development Piezoceramic, 1-3 Pzt / Polymer Composite And Pvdf Film Amplitude Description Measuring Piezoelectric device amplitude including piezoceramic, 1-3 PZT/polymer composite and PVDF film A “PZT ” is a piezoelectric device which generates motion when a voltage is applied across the crystal. The motion can be anywhere from DC to ultrasonic and the motion is typically very small. PZT devices are used to generate sound and to convert voltage to motion. MTI's MTI-2100 controller in conjunction with a High resolution fiber optic probe such as [...]
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 [...]