Two Ways to Measure Stamped Sheet Metal Thickness
Two Ways to Measure Stamped Sheet Metal Thickness Solar, Semiconductor Measurement of Ungrounded Targets Thickness, Metrology Description Learn how to measure stamped sheet metal thickness with MTI's Digital Accumeasure, a high-precision capacitance measurement system with nanometer accuracy and stability. Problem High silicon steels are alloys of iron and silicon that are easily magnetized and demagnetized. They can be supplied as sheet metal with a very thin dielectric coating. As this application note explains, precise measurements of stamped samples with a dielectric coating of ~ 10µi were needed. Solution MTI’s Digital [...]
Wireless Measurement of Very Small Gap Changes Inside Rotating Machinery
Solar, Semiconductor Measurement of Ungrounded Targets Thickness, Metrology Description Description This application note describes how to use capacitance for the non-contact, wireless measurement of very small gap changes (distances) between a device and a grounded target. It uses the textile industry as an example, but any industry that uses machinery with continuously rotating drums or motors can benefit from this approach to remote measurement. Capacitance is highly accurate and can support the use of probes that are wireless. In our example, a capacitive sensing system from MTI Instruments eliminated concerns about establishing and maintaining [...]
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 [...]
MTI’s Accumeasure HD Amplifier vs. SmarAct’s PicoScale Interferometer GalleryMTI’s Accumeasure HD Amplifier vs. SmarAct’s PicoScale Interferometer
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MTI’s Accumeasure HD Amplifier vs. SmarAct’s PicoScale Interferometer
MTI's Accumeasure HD Amplifier vs. SmarAct's PicoScale Interferometer Research & Development Piezoceramic, 1-3 Pzt / Polymer Composite And Pvdf Film Amplitude Description This application note compares MTI's Accumeasure HD amplifier to SmarAct's Picoscale interferometer in terms of resolution and accuracy for very small displacement measurements. Specifically, this comparison focuses on minimum expected resolution and the effects of noise on accuracy. High resolution interferometers are widely regarded as the instrument of choice for the type of measurements described in this application note, but MTI's technology provides exceptional accuracy and stability. Moreover, the [...]
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 [...]