Vitrek Electrical Safety Testing Blog2023-07-27T14:39:34-07:00

Welcome to Vitrek’s Electrical Safety Testing Blog!

Manual vs. Semi-Automated Metrology Systems: An Analysis

In the world of precision measurement, metrology systems play a vital role. Choosing the right system – manual or semi-automated – can significantly impact the efficiency, accuracy, and overall productivity of your operations. As a provider of both manual and semi-automated metrology systems, MTI Instruments is uniquely capable of comparing their features, benefits, and what makes each product unique. Whether you’re already in the industry or just starting out, this will provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about which system best suits your needs. (more…)

A Season of Learning: Unpacking Vitrek’s Fall Webinar Schedule!

As autumn leaves begin to fall, it’s time to cozy up with a hot cup of coffee and immerse yourself in a season of learning with Vitrek. We are excited to announce our Fall Webinar Schedule, an array of enlightening sessions designed to expand your knowledge and skills in the field of electrical safety testing and power analysis. (more…)

The Basics of Insulation Resistance Testing and Why It’s So Important

An insulating material is one that resists electricity trying to flow through it. Insulators help resist shock and short circuits, making electrical insulation one of the most critical components in any building or system. This also means that measuring resistance is especially important, and you must have a clear understanding of the resistance levels to take adequate precautions. Let’s take a look at the basics of resistance testing, what makes it so important, and how the right equipment can help.

What Occurs During Insulation Resistance Measurement

The insulation resistance test was developed in the 20th century and is one of the oldest methods for assessing insulation quality. During the test, the device in question is measured while the phase and neutral are short-circuited together. Essentially, you’re applying a highly regulated voltage across a dielectric, measuring the amount of leakage current flowing through, and calculating the resistance level with this information. Stable voltages generally include 50, 100, 250, 500, or 1000 VDC. However, based on specific standards, insulation resistance measurement tests may be performed up to 1500 VDC. 

Insulation Resistance (IR) Testing Equipment — Which Ones Should I Use?

Choosing the best insulation resistance test equipment comes down to a few factors — safety, accuracy, and repeatability. Your equipment must match the required test voltage levels. Also, ask yourself what equipment you’re testing or where the tests will take place? Additionally, you shouldn’t ignore safety. Keep in mind the importance of partnering with a provider of safe and reliable equipment. Choosing equipment you can count on ensures a smooth and stable testing process.

The Purpose Behind Resistance Testing

Insulation resistance testing is essential to prevent shocks, short circuits, and other dangerous outcomes that risk workers’ safety and equipment longevity. Insulation is applied to products in various industries, from industrial plants to standard multifamily property homes. So resistance testing has a significant impact on plenty of people. 

In fact, insulation resistance testing is so necessary that almost 80% of electrical maintenance and tests involve evaluating the integrity of electrical systems. Insulation begins to age as soon as it’s developed, leading to reliability and performance issues that worsen over time. Some of the factors that lead to aging include:

  • Electrical Stress
  • Mechanical Stress
  • Chemical Stress
  • Temperature Variation Stress
  • Oxidation
  • Humidity/Water

Measuring IR can help you decipher the impact of this stress and will help you create a more controlled environment for your current appliances. Testing should also periodically be done on new equipment to know when to perform maintenance and maximize the system’s longevity. You can ensure safety in all locations by relying on accurate electrical resistance tests.

Receive Accurate Results From Your Insulation Resistance Tester by Vitrek

IR testing requires equipment capable of the job. A good insulator will leak very few electrons. The better the insulator, the higher the voltage you need to use for the test. The very best insulators may need as much as 11,000V to evaluate them. You can secure your tester through Vitrek.Our Vitrek 951i and 952i can measure up to 2 Tohms. OUr 953i, 954i, and 955i can measure up to 4 Tohms. Our 957i can measure up to 6 Tohms, and our 98x can measure up to 25 Tohm. Quality results with voltage rails can reach up to 11 KV. Additionally, with multi-dwell functionality and pico-amp leakage measurement, the possibilities are endless. Get your hands on a Vitrek tester by requesting a free product demo, or pair it with our 4700 Precision High Voltage Meter for precise measurement accuracy for high-voltage equipment. Regardless of what you need, stay ahead of the competition with high-quality equipment from Vitrek!

Safety Recommendations for Setting Up a Hipot Testing Workstation

Hipot testing is necessary for ensuring the electrical safety compliance of electronic equipment. However, testing the voltage on commercial equipment can result in errors and even death if the operators have not been properly trained on the importance of establishing a safe testing environment. Before any tests are performed, operators should be thoroughly trained on the effects of electrical currents on the human body, the importance of safety interlocks, and how to program the necessary tests and store them in memory. If operators lack the appropriate training, setting up a safe hipot testing workstation would be for naught. After prioritizing safety training, use these recommendations to create a safe testing area. (more…)

Ensuring Your LED Lighting Products Remain Compliant

LED lighting products and fixtures have helped countless facilities improve their energy efficiency. The lighting and energy industry has done much to improve the overall quality of these products but ensuring that each new iteration meets these new safety and energy standards can prove challenging for engineers and technicians alike. (more…)

Vitrek on the Road! Upcoming Events You Should Be on the Lookout For

Group of people listening to a speaker on stage at a conference.

Fall is around the corner, which means that it’s one of the most exciting times of the year for Vitrek! September and October promise to be months filled with plenty of events, from trade shows to conferences and webinars. As a leading provider of safety and electrical test equipment, Vitrek is proud to present our growth to locations all around the country. Join us in our upcoming shows and learn more about what to expect with each new event!

Our Upcoming Shows

Vitrek is excited to announce our upcoming shows in 2022, which include:

  • IEEE ISPCE 2022 on September 20-22 in sunny San Diego, CA
  • ATE San Diego Test Symposium on October 18 in Roselle, CA
  • NBAA BACE Trade Show in Booth #4688 on October 18-20th in Orlando, FL
  • AOC Old Crows Convention at the Gigatronic Booth on October 25 in Washington, DC
  • ASNT Conference in Booth #1111 on October 31- November 3 in Nashville, TN

The International Symposium on Product Compliance Engineering (ISPCE) promises to be a wonderful event opening up our busy months where you can learn more about how we continue to provide safe and effective solutions that keep products safe. Meet us a month later at the San Diego Test Symposium as you get your hands on the industry’s finest instruments and tools and poke the brains of our leading experts. 

Our October festivities begin with the ATE San Diego Test Symposium on the 18th in Roselle, CA. We’ll also be in Orlando from the 18th to the 20th at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. Join us at Booth 4688 as you engage with the community that’s shaping the aviation industry for years to come. We round out the month with two upcoming trade shows at the AOC Old Crows Convention and the ASNT Conference. Our busy end of the month takes us from our Nation’s Capital to the heart of Music City, and you can join us on all the fun by registering now!

Don’t Forget Our Upcoming Webinars

Our webinars provide plenty of ways to learn about products, including our equipment from MTI Instruments, so join us for a virtual product training on September 15 at 1 PM (EST). This webinar will break down aviation software that leads to better vibration measurement and engine rotor balancing. Our FREE webinar will be open for questions throughout the session and offer individuals a wide range of information on enhancement and benefits. Register online for our webinar, and don’t forget to keep up to date with any future webinars or events.

Register Now and Don’t Miss Out on One of Our Most Exciting Months!

Vitrek is always on the move, but these next few months promise to be one of the busiest yet. With plenty of information to soak in, engage in interesting discussions and experience the product safety sector’s growth through industry experts’ eyes. Keep up to date with all we have to offer in the present and future by scouring our news and events page or bookmarking our upcoming webinars.

Why You Need Automotive Cable Tests Before Cars Hit the Road

The automotive industry deals with some of the most technologically diverse pieces of commercially available machinery worldwide — cars and trucks. As these machines continue to evolve and the technology under the hood becomes more complex, ensuring that every wire, electrical connection, and more meets the strict safety standards remains a high point of emphasis.  (more…)

How Vitrek Can Give Colleges and Vocational Schools a Boost

Training tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and technicians can prove an exhausting job for educators. You need to ensure the curriculum meets the highest academic standards, the students remain engaged, and the classrooms are equipped with the best equipment possible. As they move on from your classrooms, you want to ensure they’re ready to face whatever challenges they’ll face in the outside world.  (more…)

Vitrek Returns to the APEC Conference This March

In the world of power electronics, one event has defined the industry for the last 35+ years, setting expectations, introducing new technologies, and providing networking opportunities. The Applied Power Electronics Conference — APEC — has brought together generations of power electronic professionals from across multiple industries to learn and grow their knowledge base. Vitrek is proud to announce our return to the APEC conference in Houston, TX, this year! (more…)

Time for a New Webinar — New Virtual Product Training Coming for Our Ultra-Portable RF Recording Solutions

When it comes to using the Vitrek family of products, knowing how to properly implement and understand the data they provide is of the utmost importance. While some people have prior knowledge of our products, it’s not out of the question that you might need a refresher course or a deeper dive into what makes these products tick. Our online training webinars provide our customers with the ability to speak with our industry experts and acquire the product knowledge training they need.  (more…)

Get More Out Of Your Military & Aerospace Applications

When testing the electrical systems for your military and aerospace applications, you need to ensure they are ready for the job and meet all the necessary standards. These specialized systems work to keep the highly sophisticated and advanced technology housed in these applications running at full strength, which requires the right amount of power to do their jobs effectively. Having the right electrical safety and performance testing equipment on hand can help determine the overall effectiveness of your applications. 

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Capacitance Sensing vs. Strain Gauge Sensing Application Note

Capacitance Sensing vs. Strain Gauge Sensing Application Note

Capacitance probes that are embedded in piezo flexure stages can provide significantly greater accuracy than strain gauges. Although some minor mounting modifications are required, capacitance probes with picoscale positioning provide higher linearity, greater long-term stability, and better direct measurement. Capacitance sensors cost more, however, and are limited by sensing distance. Therefore, strain gauge sensors remain a good choice for applications where cost is a consideration, sensing distances are larger, and high resolution or high accuracy are required.

In a recent application note, MTI Instruments examines the differences between capacitance probes and strain gauges in piezo flexure stages, positioning devices with a high degree of resolution. This app note explains how embedding a capacitive probe in the stage enables precision measurement for applications such as in-situ wafer quality. Typically, the targets for capacitive probes are conductive and grounded; however, capacitance sensors can also be used with glass, sapphire, many plastics, and other non-conductive materials.

MTI’s application note also explains how capacitance sensing and strain gauge sensing work and how these different types of displacement sensors measure either electrical capacitance or electrical resistance, respectively. The advantages and disadvantages of each technology are discussed, and MTI’s app note includes color illustrations. For piezo flexure stages, MTI’s Accumeasure HD Series digital capacitance measurement system can achieve resolutions as low as 20pm with a 10µm range probe. The system’s direct conversion approach eliminates errors associated with traditional analog amplifiers.

Read the app note: Capacitance Probes vs. Strain Gauges in Piezo Flexure Stage

Webinar Recap: Vitrek Products for Metrology and Calibration Labs

Metrology requires equipment capable of precise measurements and accurate readings. Taking the time to ensure that the instruments you use remain properly calibrated requires the right tools and training to ensure that they are in good working order. In our webinar: Vitrek Products for Metrology and Calibration Labs, we cover why you need the right calibration tools and why Vitrek offers the best high voltage tester options on the market in the form of our 4700 High Voltage Meter, PA920 Power Analyzer, and 2000MN Calibrator.  (more…)

Why Demand for SiC Wafers is Hot and Durable

Why Demand for SiC Wafers is Hot and Durable

Pardon the pun, but SiC wafers are a hot item for high-temperature applications. Silicone carbide (SiC), a semiconductor containing both silicon and carbide, withstands temperatures up to 2700°C. Carborundum, as this durable ceramic is also known, finds additional applications in bulletproof vests, extrusion dies, sandpaper, and high-performance disc brakes. In electronics, SiC materials are used with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and detectors. In the semiconductor industry, a market where interest is red-hot, SiC wafers are used in electronic devices that operate at high temperatures, high voltages, or both. Examples include electric vehicle (EV) power electronics and 5G communication systems.

Bandgap and Thermal Conductivity

With its wide bandgap, silicon carbide wafers can withstand voltages that are up to ten times higher than silicon, which has a breakdown voltage of around 600V. Silicon (Si), a semiconductor that’s long been the material of choice for the wafers used in integrated circuits (ICs) and photovoltaics, has a bandgap of 1.12 eV. Gallium arsenide (GaAs), a semiconductor used in solar cells, has a bandgap of 1.42 eV. By contrast, silicon carbide has a bandgap of 3.26 eV. SiC’s wider bandgap also support faster, more efficient switching and smaller, thinner devices. In addition, silicon carbide’s higher thermal conductivity allows for the more efficient transportation of heat and can reduce or eliminate the need for heat sinks in electronic designs.

Thermal Shock Resistance

With its high thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion, silicone carbide also provides superior resistance to thermal shock, a transient mechanical load caused by a rapid change of temperature. Often, thermal shock occurs when an extreme temperature gradient reaches some but not all of an object. Because of this difference in temperature, parts of the object expand and contract at different rates, which can lead to fracture. Compared to most semiconductor materials, SiC has a low thermal conductivity (3.8 W/m.K minimum) and a high thermal expansion (7.9 to 11 10-6/K).

Physical, Chemical and Electrical Durability

Silicon carbide’s physical durability is demonstrated by its use in non-electronic applications such as the plates in bulletproof vests. With regard to temperature durability, SiC will not sublimate into a vapor phase until around 2700°C, which is significantly higher than the melting point of iron (around 1500°C). SiC is also chemically inert and can resist very aggressive chemicals such as alkalis and molten salts, even at high temperatures up to 800°C. With its high energy bandgap, SiC is extremely resistant to high levels of electromagnetic disturbances and the damaging effects of radiation.

Applications for SiC Wafers

Silicone carbide’s superior properties makes it good choice for EV power electronics. Applications include on-board DC/DC converters, off-board DC fast chargers, on-board battery chargers, EV powertrains, and automotive lighting for LEDs. In addition to high-temperature resistance, silicon carbide provides the low power consumption, rigidity, and support for smaller, thinner designs that EV power electronics need. With their greater power densities and higher amounts of heat, 5G electronics are also using SiC wafers. According to Cree Wolfspeed, gallium nitride (GaN) on SiC is “the optical solution for 5G”.

SiC Wafer Measurement and Inspection

Silicon carbide’s prospects remain hot and durable, but increased demand could result in component defects unless manufacturers install proper inspection equipment. This is especially important during research and development (R&D), where poor verification of process tools can dramatically reduce yield. MTI Instruments’ Proforma 300iSA system performs wafer inspection at-scale (up to 20 wafers fer hour) for increased throughout of SiC materials. This semi-automated measurement system delivers full water surface scanning for thickness, total thickness variation (TTV), bow, site, global flatness and more. For

To learn more about MTI’s measurement solutions for SiC wafers, or to download a sample wafer inspection report  please contact MTI Instruments.

MTI Instruments’ Accumeasure HD System Proven to Be Highest Resolution Capacitance System in the World

ALBANY, N.Y., April 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ MTI Instruments, Inc. (“MTI Instruments”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, (NASDAQ: MKTY), announced today that its Accumeasure HD system technology has been proven to measure distances as small as 69 picometers, setting a new bar for capacitance systems.

The results were recently published in a white paper by Kevin Harding of Optical Metrology Solutions. Harding’s white paper can be accessed on MTI Instruments’ website. Harding’s independent study confirmed the findings of an internal experiment by MTI Instruments that concluded the Accumeasure HD system can provide picometer-level accuracy when used with 50-micron HD capacitive probes.

The findings of the Harding study, combined with MTI Instruments’ experiment and a review of the specifications of other capacitance systems on the market, showed that the Accumeasure HD system produces the highest resolution capacitive measurements in the world.

“This is a game changer for semiconductor and telescope manufacturers, aerospace research and development professionals, seismologists and others who depend on precise thermal-displacement measurements,” said Moshe Binyamin, President of MTI Instruments. “Our Accumeasure HD system is not only the most advanced capacitance system, but it also stands up to more costly laser interferometers, which until now had been the industry standard for achieving this level of accuracy.”

To test the Accumeasure HD system, Harding provided local heating to the back of a 6-millimeter thick, optical mirror with an unprotected gold coating. The results, as reported in Harding’s white paper, indicate that 69 picometer deviation as a “lower limit” with “clearly resolvable changes available in the 300 picometer range” conclusively demonstrated the Accumeasure HD system’s capabilities to measure picometer-level thermal deviations in practical applications.

Mr. Harding has nearly 40 years of professional experience in the optics, vision and metrology fields. Mr. Harding holds over 80 patents and is the author of numerous books and scientific articles. Mr. Harding earned his undergraduate degree in Physics from Rider College and his Masters in Science degree in Optics from the University of Rochester.

“We are always innovating and pushing the envelope at MTI Instruments. Looking ahead, we welcome opportunities to embed the Accumeasure HD technology into other measurement devices for new applications, such as pressure sensors and seismographs,” said Don Welch, Director Emeritus of New Business Development at MTI Instruments. “Many industries can benefit from this accurate, stable and powerful system.”

The MTI Instruments Accumeasure HD system is a two-channel, picometer scale, capacitance based, displacement measurement instrument for conductive targets. The Accumeasure HD system achieves extremely high resolution with the aid of external preamplifiers that are located close to the probes that eliminate parasitic capacitance effects, which cause noise. Digital communication is provided via ethernet or USB, and the bandwidth and range extension of the probes are digitally programmable.

As a U.S. manufacturer, MTI Instruments’ products are designed, manufactured and supported in Albany, New York.

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About MTI Instruments

Based in Albany, New York, MTI Instruments, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated, is a global leader in non-contact measurement tools and condition-based monitoring systems with a growing customer base spanning more than 60 countries. MTI Instruments has a rich history in innovation for developing and manufacturing sensors and systems to help clients secure the highest level of accurate measurements in order to drive innovation, identify efficiencies and increase competitiveness. MTI Instruments provides comprehensive solutions to better address challenges and applications within numerous industries, including industrial manufacturing, consumer electronics, semiconductor, solar, commercial and military aviation, automotive, transportation and R&D. For more information, please visit: www.mtiinstruments.com.

Contact Information:

Jess Olszowy

jolszowy@localhost

Media Contact:

Chris Colton

P: 518.618.1177

E: ccolton@martingroupmarketing.com

Webinar Recap: Vitrek Electrical Safety Testing for the Automotive Industry

Vitrek is a leading provider of testing solutions for electrical safety across multiple industries. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, and in business for over three decades, Vitrek has established itself as one of the premier electrical safety testing companies on the market. They serve over 30 different countries and provide electrical safety testing equipment that can be utilized in countless applications.

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Measurements with Capacitance Gage for Sub-Nanometer Thermal Expansion Characterization

MTI Instruments contracted an independent Metrology expert to test and verify the performance of a new high resolution capacitance gauge. The Accumeasure HD has passed in house testing where its performance was tested against a commercial laser interferometer (See Application Note). Optical Metrology Solutions (OMS) was chosen based on their extensive experience and proximity to MTI’s manufacturing plant.

OMS was tasked with designing a challenging experiment to verify the accuracy and resolution of the MTI Accumeasure HD capacitance system that could also be encountered in a typical customer application.  Their experiment explored the ability to measure sub-nonometer thermal expansion of a ceramic material, specifically a 6-millimeter thick optical mirror, across a range of temperatures.

The Accumeasure HD performed exceptionally well measuring sub-nanometer thermal expansion in a space typically dominated by more expensive and complex laser interferometers.  The full results of the experiment are available in the whitepaper summarizing the experiment below.

Click here to get your copy of “Measurements with Capacitance Gage for Sub-Nanometer Thermal Expansion Characterization”.

MTI’s Accumeasure HD Amplifier vs. Laser Interferometer

Achieving high resolution and accuracy for very small displacement measurements is generally an expensive and complex undertaking.  The typical instrument of choice for achieving the accuracy required (picometer resolution with nanometer accuracy) is a laser interferometer.  However, MTI Instruments Accumeasure D200HD Amplifier provides exceptional accuracy and stability while coming in at significant cost savings with ease of use.

We decided to pit the AccumeasureHD vs a Laser Interferometer and compare results.  Specifically, this comparison focuses on minimum expected resolution and the effects of noise on accuracy.  Micro positioning applications include measuring the mask height of semiconductor wafers during lithography.

The testing and article were produced by MTI Instruments’ engineers.  The Albany, New York (USA) company documents the setup and results enabling the readers to decide which tool is the right choice for them.

Click here to get your copy of “MTI’s Accumeasure HD Amplifier vs. SmarAct’s PicoScale Interferometer”.

Webinar Recap: Electrical Safety Testing for the Appliance & Consumer Product Industries

Vitrek is proud to hold educational webinars for our customers in various industries with information and products that are relevant to their applications. One such industry that relies on some of the technology that we offer is the appliance and consumer products industry, which requires extensive electrical safety testing in order to bring their products to market. All products that will be sold to consumers need to be tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) in order to earn the proper safety certification.

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The Growing Need for Industry 4.0 Testing and Validation Tools

Industry 4.0 means that manufacturers need to test and validate more sensors. MTI Instruments 1510A portable signal generator can help.

Industry 4.0 is spurring a dramatic increase in the number of sensors that manufacturers need to install, test, validate, and maintain. Although these industrial sensors are packaged to withstand harsh environments, they’re still susceptible to performance-related problems. Whether it’s to support predictive maintenance, asset monitoring, or process automation, proper testing and validation is required to keep systems running smoothly. Otherwise, the data that sensors collect won’t enable the operators of smart factories to make the right decisions.

Smart factories can install intelligent sensors that self-test and self-validate, but machine monitoring systems still require calibration. Manufacturers also want flexible, efficient instruments for simulation and troubleshooting. From miniaturized sensors with multiple digital output signals to wireless sensor technologies, accuracy and ease-of-use are important. By supporting testing and validation for Industry 4.0, the right solution can help keep production running.

Calibration, Simulation, and Troubleshooting

MTI Instruments’ 1510A portable signal generator can be used to simulate, calibrate, and test signals for cables, wires, machinery, and sensors. For example, the device’s low-voltage bridge sensor simulation can easily handle microvolts with its 24-bit closed loop. The 1510A can also be used to calibrate monitoring systems, charge amplifiers, and rotating equipment. Additional applications include troubleshooting wires and cables and simulating audio signals, vibration signals, and machinery speed signals.

A two-channel, battery-powered, microprocessor-controlled instrument, the 1510A is a direct signal generator that’s designed for deployment in the field. It can produce sine, square, triangle, and pulse waveforms from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz in 0.1 Hz increments. The jog function lets technicians slowly vary the signal frequency to determine the filter response or vary the signal amplitude in increments to determine system gain. Voltage and charge signals with accuracies to 0.05% are readily achievable.

Industry 4.0 Testing and Validation

Testing and validation is essential to your Industry 4.0 implementation. To learn more about MTI Instruments 1510A portable signal generator, visit this page and download the brochure.

Capacitance Sensing for Non-Contact Thickness Measurements of Insulating Materials

Capacitance sensing can be used to make non-contact thickness measurements for most insulating materials. Capacitance sensors are known for their ability to precisely measure the thickness and position of conductive targets, but what’s less known is that these sensors can also measure the thickness of non-conductive materials. Examples include glass, sapphire, and plastics, as well as semi-insulating semiconductor materials such as GaAs and silicon nitride.

Analog vs. Digital Technologies

MTI Instruments, a global supplier of precision measurement technologies, takes the guesswork out of what used to be a complex measurement for non-conductive materials. MTI’s Digital Accumeasure system features a digital amplifier that converts a capacitive electric field measurement (displacement) directly into a 24-bit digital reading to accurately measure thickness. Moreover, this direct conversion approach eliminates the errors that are associated with traditional analog amplifiers.

Older analog probes and amplifiers could make the necessary voltage measurements for non-conductive materials, but converting these voltage signals to a calibrated thickness is tedious and error prone. MTI’s Digital Accumeasure simplifies the measurement and ensures the most accurate results.

Dielectric Thickness Measurements

As MTI’s How-to Guide explains, placing a dielectric (non-conducing) material between a capacitance probe and grounded target creates a three capacitor equivalent circuit. The greater the dielectric constant of the target, the lower the impedance of the gap appears to the probe. Users can measure the thickness of the non-conductive material by placing it between a probe and a ground plate that is grounded back to the capacitance amplifier.

Dielectric thickness measurements work best with materials that have good control over their dielectric content. As long as the dielectric constant of the material doesn’t change, the calibration will remain consistent. Even non-conductive sheets, webs and other moving non-conductive targets can be measured for process control. For best results, the ground target area should be circular and the same diameter as the probe.

Vitrek’s Latest Product Catalog Is Now Available

Vitrek is pleased to announce that our 2020 product catalog is now available to our customers across industries, including manufacturing, calibration and testing labs, medical and healthcare, aerospace and military, and other industries that require electrical testing and safety products of uncompromising quality. We provide high voltage measurement equipment, electrical safety (hipot) testing instruments, power analyzers, and other products, including our newest series of DC loads, that stand up to some of the most demanding environments. 

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Microsoft Windows 7 Security Advisory and Impact on MTI PBS-4100+ Users

03 - PBS4100-mbLearn about this important security advisory and its impact on MTI-PBS-4100+ users.

What is the Microsoft Windows 7 Security Advisory?

Microsoft will no longer provide maintenance on Windows Version 7 in January of this year after 10-years of supporting the product.  Microsoft does this across their product lines (not just Windows) in order to continue to evolve their products and invest their resources on the more recent versions.  This means that Microsoft will no longer release any updates for that version of Windows, including bug fixes or security updates.  For details on this activity by Microsoft, please visit their site here:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4057281/windows-7-support-ended-on-january-14-2020

How does this impact systems that run on Windows 7?

After January 14, 2020, PCs running Windows 7 no longer receive security updates. Therefore, it’s important that you upgrade to a modern operating system such as Windows 10, which can provide the latest security updates to help keep you and your data safer. In addition, Microsoft customer service is no longer available to provide Windows 7 technical support. Related services for Windows 7 are also being discontinued over time.  This can make existing installations of Windows 7 extremely vulnerable to viruses and other malware and leave owners of these installations without a path to clean their systems.

How does PBS-4100+ use Microsoft Windows 7?

The computer system included with all PBS-4100+ family installations runs Microsoft Windows which is required to run the software with the PBS-4100+ family.  Because Microsoft will no longer provide maintenance for Windows 7, MTI highly recommends upgrading PBS systems currently running Windows 7 or Windows XP.

Which PBS-4100+ models are secure?

The latest versions of PBS (portable models after Oct 1, 2018 and rack mounted models after Sep 1, 2018) also have updated best practices for enhanced cyber security.  These include changes to the software (WinPBS), DAU firmware, and Windows 10 settings.

If you have questions or wish to get a quote for an upgrade to a more recent platform, please contact us at sales@localhost or call 800-342-2203.

Vitrek to Launch New DL Series of DC Loads

This month, Vitrek introduced a new product to our ever-expanding catalog of high-voltage testing and measurement equipment. Our latest product, the DL Series Electronic DC Load, is intended to improve testing for a series of power supplies, testers, and drivers. The new device is designed to be accurate, flexible, and easy-to-use, rivaling all other similar DC loads on the market with superior performance and results. (more…)

Join Vitrek at Booth #3478 at the ATX Trade Show!

We are incredibly excited to announce that Vitrek will be attending the ATX West Expo in Anaheim, California! The nation’s largest annual automation technology event is going to be taking place from February 11th-13th at the Anaheim Convention Center. Be sure to stop by and visit us at booth #3478 to network with our team about how our selection of high-voltage test and measurement equipment can help your operations. (more…)

Digital Laser Sensor Combines Speed, Convenience and Accuracy with Ethernet Capability

Microtrak 4MTI’s Microtrak™ 4 is a high-speed digital laser sensor that’s easy to setup, convenient to use, and dependably accurate. Use this compact, non-contact metrology system for measuring height, flatness, thickness, alignment, vibration, and more. Made in the USA by MTI Instruments, the Microtrak™ 4 is ready to use right out-of-the-box and provides fast, reliable, repeatable measurements for targets with very dark or very shiny surfaces. Applications include machine maintenance and turbine engine balancing.

The Microtrak™ 4 doesn’t require an external controller or a separate power supply. Instead, this 1D laser displacement sensor runs right on your computer, includes a software development kit, and features plug-and-play USB. An integral five-color position indicator makes it easy to determine the laser mounting location and initial gap setup. With a sensor frame rate of 40k samples/sec. and linearity of 0.03% FSO (Full Scale Output), accuracy and repeatability are assured.

In a recent App Note, MTI Instruments explains how to use the Microtrak™ over a LAN (Local Area Network) or CAT 5e/6/7 wiring to convert USB communications to Ethernet signaling. MTI describes the additional hardware that’s needed, too.

Click here to read the Application Note.

Vitrek’s Newest PA920 Power Analyzer is Now Available!

Vitrek’s Newest Power Analyzer, the PA920 is Now Available!

After tireless preparation, we are proud to announce the latest addition to the Vitrek family of power analyzers, the Ultra-High Accuracy VItrek PA920 Precision Harmonic Power Analyzer! This new product offers 0.024% power accuracy on all channels and has improved voltage and current self-heating adders. This product, like all Vitrek’s power analyzers, boasts faster sampling and bandwidth and higher harmonic frequencies than any competing analyzer on the market.

The Vitrek PA920 series of power analyzers are the most powerful and accurate on the market today, with the 0.024% power accuracy being the fastest currently available across any brand. For maximum flexibility, the PA920 has quick-and-easy channel selection between four different customizable channels, which can handle measurement bandwidths up to 5 MHz. The full performance will factor up to 100:1, providing you with maximum results for even the most difficult power measurements out there.

The PA920 model displays up to 500 harmonics at high power frequencies, with adjustable chart settings for linear or logarithmic amplitudes. It also displays three different VPAs (Virtual Power Analyzers) on the power data screen, as well as waveform acquisition and analysis for up to six signals on the scope view. This model also has a scope view with an unlimited ability to expose fine details, as well as a vector screen that displays voltage and vector levels for each VPA. Finally, the PA920 keeps the history of all results and harmonics up to 397 days.

One of the best parts about our newest power analyzer is how flexible it is to meet any application. It is offered in both a pre-configured model or as a modular package, allowing quick and easy ordering that fits your budget.

This product is manufactured domestically and comes with a two-year parts and labor warranty, as well as a two-year accuracy specs and calibration cycle. The newest PA920 power analyzer is now available on our site for order and for rent, with free demos available as well!

Click Here to check out the full line of Vitrek Power Analyzers!

Welcome to Vitrek’s Electrical Test & Safety Blog

Welcome to Vitrek’s Electrical Test & Safety Blog Page!

Welcome to the all-new Vitrek Electrical Test & Safety Blog! When you visit this page, you will find information related to the electrical test & safety industry and Vitrek products.. This includes industry updates & events, Vitrek product features, new product launches, and many other helpful topics – all brought to you by the Vitrek team.

This new industry feature is designed to allow more communication between Vitrek and our consumers, so you can stay up to date with everything that is happening within our company and the electrical test and safety industry. New posts will be on a regular basis, so be sure to check in regularly and see what’s new with Vitrek products and the latest industry trends.

“As a world leader in high voltage test and measurement solutions since 1990, Vitrek provides new and innovative products and solutions on a regular basis. Having a blog where we can  update our partners and customers about the latest news and industry happenings will be a great resource for anyone who performs electrical safety testing.” Said Don Millstein, Vitrek’s President.

Along with our informative blog posts, you will find other types of information as well, including brief videos with more information on a given topic. In other posts, we might include infographics, so you can have a visual representation of the effect a product may have or its benefits. For example, in our first blog, we have an infographic comparing our latest product, the PA920 Ultra-High Accuracy Multi-Channel Power Analyzer, to its competitors so you can see its advantages.

We have plenty of big things in store for our blog, so we hope that you will follow along with us every step of the way. Thank you for choosing Vitrek, and we hope you enjoy the blog!

If you are interested in learning more about the company and the topics discussed in any of our blogs, contact us, and we’ll be happy to give you more information.

Direct Digital Outputs for Precise Sensor Measurement Without Programming

Digital Accumeasure Gen 3MTI’s Digital Accumeasure converts highly reliable capacitive electric field measurements into highly precise 24-bit digital readings. This digital capacitance displacement gauge interfaces with DASYLab, data acquisition (DAQ) software from Measurement Computing with tools and functions for application development without programming. By interfacing MTI’s Digital Accumeasure with DASYLab, you can get precise sensor measurements without sacrificing speed, reliability, or ease-of-use.

The Digital Accumeasure connects to DASYLab through a Modbus interface. Because MTI’s precision measurement technology has direct digital outputs, you can directly import digital displacement values instead of lower-resolutions analog values. In other words, instead of converting measurements to analog outputs that add noise and linearity, you get highly accurate displacement measurements every time. MTI’s Modbus output has a total of 18 registers that can be read.

In a recent App Note, MTI Instruments explains how to choose and configure a Modbus analog input to read all of the registers. This resource also contains the fixed-length response protocol for each register, which contains one 16-bit word.

Click here to read the Application Note. 

MTI’s 1510A Signal Generator for Field Testing and Calibration

MTI 1510A Portable Signal GeneratorMTI’s 1510A precision signal generator is a portable signal source for calibration, testing, troubleshooting, and system monitoring. This battery-powered, microprocessor-controlled direct digital signal generator is Made in the USA by MTI Instruments, a worldwide supplier of precision measurement solutions and portable balancing equipment.

There are plenty of reasons to use MTI’s 1510A, but five that top the list.

  • Calibrating balancing equipment
  • Calibrating condition monitoring systems and equipment
  • Calibrating charge amplifiers
  • Testing alarm conditions and simulating sensors.
  • Troubleshooting wiring and cabling.

As one of the most versatile and powerful handheld signal generators on the market, MTI’s 1510A is the right choice for the field testing and calibration of equipment, wires, cables, sensors, and more. Plus, this handheld device weights less than two pounds, which makes it convenient to use. To learn more about the benefits of using this device, read The Top Five Reasons to Use MTI’s 1510 Signal Generator.

Common Test and Calibration Uses of the 1510A Portable Signal Generator

1510A Signal Generator Product Kit

Powerful Ways the Portable 1510A Can Be Used In The Field

As one of the most versatile and powerful hand-held signal generators on the market, the 1510A is a two-channel, battery-powered, microprocessor-controlled direct digital signal generator. It has an average battery life of 3 hours of continuous use. Weighing in at under two pounds, makes it ideal for use in the field.

There are many different ways this sophisticated device can be leveraged to perform precise test and calibration of equipment, wires, cables, sensors and much more.

Use Case #1 | Sensor Simulation

You can simulate sensors during system development, bring-up, and test.  Often during development of a new system or process, all of the conditions that a system is expected to operate under cannot be created on demand and instead must be simulated. The simulation is not only necessary to test for the proper connection of wiring and electronics, but also to test all of the functions implemented in software and/or other signal processing blocks in the system.  The 1510A can be used to generate signals that represent accelerometers, pressure transducers, microphones, speed sensors, temperature thermocouples, strain gages, EKG/EEG sensors, and eddy current probes.

For example, let’s look at speed signals.  A tachometer is an instrument that measures the rotational speed of a shaft, disk, or rotor. Common applications include automobiles, locomotives, and jet engines. The signals that a tachometer reads can be generated by a variety of transducer types, including optical, laser, magnetic, and eddy current.   Speed signals can be found as sinusoidal waves, square waves, and pulse trains. In some cases one cycle of a periodic waveform represents a single rotation of the rotor (called “once per rev”), but very often multiple cycles of a waveform can be produced in a single revolution as is the case with a gear-type tachometer generator. To further complicate the issue, some gear-type tachometers have a single “odd tooth” that represents the once-per-rev of the rotor. This once-per-rev signal is important for determining the angular position, or phase of the rotor. Tachometer instruments would need special circuitry or logic to detect this “odd-tooth”.

The 1510A has the capability to generate nearly all types of speed signals for the purpose of simulating speed pickup transducers and testing tachometer instrumentation.

Use Case #2 | Troubleshoot Wiring & Cabling

In the simple case, testing cables only requires a quick continuity test between ends of the conductor. But most cabling is not simple; capacitive and inductive loading introduced by cable lengths, proximity to other conductive objects, and partially damaged cables and connectors can greatly complicate the testing.

The 1510A can be used to inject a known signal into wiring, allowing measurement equipment to confirm the cable integrity. More advanced applications of the 1510A use the frequency sweep function to establish a transfer function of a system, i.e. to identify how the system responds to all frequencies that it may be subjected to.

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Use Case #3 | Calibration of Balancing Equipment

Equipment used for balancing rotating machinery requires the accurate measurement of the magnitude of the vibration, the rotational position (phase) of the vibration, and the rotational speed of the rotor. Typical vibration sensors produce a sinusoidal voltage or charge output that represents the vibration in displacement, velocity, or acceleration units. Speed sensors are typically passive magnetic reluctance or optical technologies. The phase of the vibration is measured by comparing the phase difference between the tachometer signal and the vibration signal.

The 1510A is uniquely designed to simulate all of the common types of vibration and speed sensors. The dual outputs of the 1510A can simulate a speed sensor, a vibration sensor, and the phase simultaneously. The 1510A output range is 0-100kHz, allowing it to simulate speed signals for large and small turbofan engines, APUs, turbochargers, pumps, compressors, and other rotating machinery. The 1510A can even simulate odd-tooth type tachometer signals that are commonly found in gas turbine engines and charge-mode sensors such as piezoelectric accelerometers.

Keeping rotating machinery properly balanced is important for the longevity of components and nearby equipment, safety, decreased noise, and reduced energy consumption. The dual-outputs of the 1510A combined with the precise phase control between the outputs make the 1510A a complete signal generation solution, often replacing two instruments or a much larger bench-top device.

The portability of the 1510A makes it possible to calibrate balancing equipment anywhere: power plant, flight-line, test cell, manufacturing facility, mine, or medical lab. In-situ calibrations can save vast amounts of money because equipment down time is greatly reduced.

Use Case #4 | Calibration of Condition Monitoring Systems

Condition Monitoring systems are typically composed for several sensors measuring a variety of process parameters for the purposes of recording system status and detecting developing faults. Common process parameters include vibration, rotational speed, flow, temperature, and strain. Condition monitoring systems must have all of their various input types periodically calibrated to maintain proper process control and safe operation of the equipment. Many Condition Monitoring systems must be calibrated after installation in order to account for losses due to cabling and other environmental factors.

The portability and durability of the 1510A make it an ideal device for in-field calibration. The 1510A can simulate all of the common types of sensors used to measure these parameters, including accelerometers, pressure transducers, microphones, speed sensors, temperature thermocouples, strain gages, EKG/EEG sensors, and eddy current probes.

The 1510A voltage outputs can be set to AC and DC voltages ranging from 0 to 10 volts with sub-millivolt accuracies. In bridge mode, the 1510A can achieve microvolt accuracies.   The flexibility of the 1510A allows it to replace several other portable calibration devices, greatly simplifying a technician’s toolkit. In-fact, for many Condition Monitoring systems, the 1510A may be the only tool required for calibration.

Use Case #5 | Calibration of Charge Amplifiers

Many accelerometers used for vibration measurement use what is called the piezoelectric effect to measure the acceleration. When a piezoelectric accelerometer changes speed (or vibrates), it produces a high-impedance charge output proportional to the acceleration. Piezoelectric transducers are the fundamental building block in many accelerometers due to their high sensitivity, ruggedness, and stability at high temperatures.

The charge output from one of these transducers is typically converted to a low impedance voltage before transmission across cabling and into most common data acquisition and measurement equipment. This conversion is done by a device called a charge amplifier or charge converter.

To accurately measure the physical phenomenon, such as vibration, exciting a piezoelectric accelerometer, the charge amplifier requires periodic calibration. Many charge amplifiers have adjustable bandwidth and gain settings that should also be confirmed. Over time a charge amplifier’s signal response can drift or the charge amplifier or associated cabling can be damaged.

Testing system cabling and charge amplifier gain and frequency response is an especially challenging task since most signal generators are not equipped with a charge output, and those that are may not have the precision and frequency range necessary to fully test the charge amplifier.

The 1510A Handheld Signal Generator has been designed specifically for this purpose and can be used to simulate most types of piezoelectric accelerometers. The 1510A has both single-ended and differential charge output options. The differential charge output utilizes a 3-pin mil-spec circular connector. The single-ended output utilizes a coaxial microdot connector that is commonly used on accelerometers from Endevco, Kistler, and PCB Piezotronics.

Use Case #6 | Testing Alarm Conditions

An essential function of Condition Monitoring systems is often to trigger an alarm or trip a safety switch when unwanted or dangerous conditions are detected. These alarms must be routinely checked for proper operation.

The portability and durability of the 1510A make it an ideal device for in-situ testing of these alarms. The 1510 can be used to create gradually increasing/decreasing signals that can pass through the alarm condition, and thereby confirm that the prescribed alarms are triggered when they should be.

MTI Instruments is making its global presence known in Singapore

Aviation Week MRO Asia-Pacific event logoJoin MTI Instruments at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 24th to September 26th, 2019.  Visit MTI Instruments in Booth #756  at the premiere event in Asia Pacific for the commercial air-transport maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, to see its PBS-4100 line of vibration and balancing systems.

Aircraft engine vibrations caused by out-of-balance parts can lead to cracked fan, turbine, and compressor components. Imbalance-induced vibrations can also cause metal fatigue and, if left unchecked, engine failure. Pinpointing the source of vibrations can be challenging and the structural characteristics of an aircraft can compound the problem. As visitors to Booth #756 at MRO AsiaPac 2019 will learn how MTI’s PBS-4100+ and PBS-4100R+ diagnostic equipment addresses this aviation safety and maintenance challenge.

About MRO Asia-Pacific

MRO Asia-Pacific is the premier event in this region for the commercial air transport maintenance, repair and overhaul industry, designed for you by thought leaders and innovators from the leading and trusted brand in the aviation/aerospace industry – Aviation Week. MRO Asia-Pacific provides a world class venue for all those involved in the MRO sector to exchange ideas and best practices, share experiences, debate issues and challenges and gather knowledge.

Co-located with MRO Asia-Pacific is Aero Engines Asia-Pacific, is the only event in the region to specifically focus on the aero-engine market and brings together key stakeholders from across the engine community to discuss and debate latest trends, developments and strategic challenges.

The Exhibition Hall will host more than 5000 attendees and feature 200+ companies displaying their products, solutions and services along with the expanded Singapore pavilion.

Learn more about MRO AsiaPac

Aircraft Engine Test Cell is World’s Largest

Aircraft Engine Test CellThe world’s largest aircraft engine test cell is in Atlanta, Georgia (USA), home of the upcoming MRO Americas 2019 show for the commercial air-transport maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry. Delta TechOps, a division of Delta Airlines and a full-service MRO, recently opened a $100 million test cell at its Atlanta facility that’s capable of running a jet engine at 150,000 lb. thrust. That’s more thrust than the GE Aviation GE90 engine, which powers Delta’s Boeing 777-200 LR fleet, can produce.

“This test cell is a vote of confidence in Delta TechOps,” said Ed Bastian, Delta Airlines CEO, in an article published at MRO-Network.com. The new test cell nearly doubles the MRO’s thrust-testing capacity and complements other technology investments. For example, Delta TechOps is ramping up a hot-section repair shop while continuing to introduce additive manufacturing capabilities. Known also a 3D printing, additive manufacturing can make replacement parts faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.

Aircraft Engine Test Cell Clients

Delta’s investment in the world’s largest aircraft engine test cell will provide Delta TechOps with the ability to test and maintain power plants that haven’t even been designed yet. Yet the benefits are already apparent. Partly because of Delta’s technology investment, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney have signed 25-year contracts with the Atlanta-based MRO. “This isn’t about engine maintenance,” says Don Mitacek, Delta TechOps Senior VP. “It’s about Delta people getting together and making it happen.”

In 2018, Delta became a Rolls-Royce authorized maintenance center. Today, Delta TechOps supports the three main types of Rolls-Royce aircraft engines: the Trent 1000, the Trent 7000, and the Trent WXB.

  • The Trent 1000 powers the Boeing 787 and delivers 53,000 to 75,000 lb. thrust.
  • The Trent 7000 powers the Airbus AAA330neo and provides 68.000 to 72,000 lb. thrust.
  • The Trent WXB powers the A350 and delivers 75,000 to 97,000 lb. thrust.

Delta TechOps is also part of Pratt & Whitney’s MRO network. A subsidiary of United Technologies (UTC), this original equipment manufacturer (OEM) makes geared turbofan engines, including the GFT engine for the Airbus A220s, which is in production, and the A31neos, which is on-order.

MRO Americas 2019: Engine Vibration Analysis from MTI Instruments (Booth #2301)

mro americas 2019MTI Instruments, a U.S.-based manufacturer of engine vibration analysis and balancing systems, will exhibit at MRO Americas 2019 from April 9 to 11 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Visit MTI Instruments in Booth #2301 at MRO Americas, the premiere event for the commercial air-transport maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, to see its PBS-4100 line of vibration and balancing systems. MTI instruments will also give away a 1501A precision signal/function generator.

Aircraft engine vibrations caused by out-of-balance parts can lead to cracked fan, turbine, and compressor components. Imbalance-induced vibrations can also cause metal fatigue and, if left unchecked, engine failure. Pinpointing the source of vibrations can be challenging and the structural characteristics of an aircraft can compound the problem. As visitors to Booth #2301 at MRO Americas 2019 will learn, MTI’s PBS-4100 diagnostic equipment addresses this aviation safety and maintenance challenge.

PBS-4100 Diagnostic Equipment

PBS-4100+ is a portable vibration and balancing system that correlates vibration magnitude to the specific parts of an engine. This non-contact measurement equipment uses a series of on-board digitizers, advanced logic, and a tracking filter to find the vibration’s source so that aircraft maintenance crews can take corrective action. Built-in diagnostics and traceability reporting help to reduce maintenance costs and eliminate downtime.

PBS-4100R+, another member of the PBS-4100 product family, is a test cell vibration and balancing system that collects vibration survey data from a wide range of sensors over extended periods of time for endurance and performance testing. Using a digital signal processor, the PBS-4100R+ constantly acquires vibration and speed data from all enabled channels. This metrology system sets a new standard in gas turbine engine testing.

1501A Signal Generator Giveaway at MRO Americas 2019

At MRO Americas, MTI Instruments will also give away a 1501A signal generator. This portable test equipment produces accurate and precise voltage, charge, and speed signals that are essential for system troubleshooting, testing, and calibration. MTI’s 1510A signal generator is an ideal diagnostic tools for monitoring equipment, instrumentation, and cabling and wiring. For more information about MTI Instruments at MRO Americas 2019, contact us.

The Top Five Trends Impacting Test and Measurement for 2019

With 2019 upon us, we know everyone is thinking about what’s next in the Test and Measurement industry.   We also know that without test and measurement equipment, engineers can’t accurately and consistently prove that their mechanical or electronic devices perform as required. When they don’t work, engineers also need to determine why and how to fix them.

All of this leads to innovative thinking on how to test and measure even better by taking advantage of rapidly growing trends such as digitization, software, additive manufacturing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and new sensing applications that are driving advances in T&M.

Digitization Diagram

Digitization

Increasingly, sensors are providing digital outputs instead of analog ones. Traditional analog outputs such as 4-20 mA are accurate and reliable, but digital outputs provide distinct advantages. For example, digital sensors can incorporate high transfer rates, high transmitter reliability, and self-diagnostic tools. Engineers also like how they can plug-in or replace digital devices without interrupting the overall system.

Digital outputs are providing advantages in terms of wiring, too. For example, bus-compatible sensors allow for longer cable lengths and cables of varying lengths between sensors and the data acquisition system. Multiple digital sensors can also use the same cable, which reduces wiring costs. Importantly, digitization is supporting wireless communications.

Electronic contract manufacturers like SHINE Wire in Adams, Massachusetts are benefitting from the ensuing growth in sensor demand.

Software

Software

More vendors are also supplying application software for the sensors that they make. Writing sensor code from scratch is both difficult and time-consuming, which is why many operating systems already provide some level of support. For example, Windows provides native support for sensor devices and includes an application programming interface (API) for connected sensors and sensor data.

In addition to API, sensor tools can include sample source code that speeds development and command line utilities that read samples from evaluation boards. As sensor software matures, more vendors will provide easy-to-use interfaces and data exports. User-adjustable settings for range, filter, data rate, and other parameters will enhance the T&M engineer’s efforts.

The future of sensors and software doesn’t end there, however. Kalev Leetaru, a Senior Fellow at the George Washington University Center for Cyber & Homeland Security, recently warned in Forbes that “we need software that doesn’t panic when sensors malfunction.” As software developers learn to build more resilient systems, look for software algorithms to cope more intelligently with errant sensors.

Additive Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing (3DP), will continue to support advances in sensor technologies. For example, during last summer’s Sensors Expo event in San Jose, participants learned about research into a screen-printed potentiometric sensor with a porous 3D printed housing. This hybrid device is still in its infancy, but international researchers are now leveraging 3DP  to study the sense of touch in babies.

Recently, RPI CATS produced a 3D-printed plastic housing for an acoustic sensor. “The geometry of the housing is critical to the sensor’s function and would have difficult to make using conventional methods,” Rock says. For parts that are “difficult, complex, or expensive to machine,” additive manufacturing’s benefits become clear. A component in GE Aviation’s GE90-94B jet engine proves Rock’s point.

Several years ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the first 3D printed part to fly in a commercial jet engine. Known as the T25, the metallic housing for the compressor inlet temperature sensor is made from a cobalt-chrome alloy that can withstand extreme temperatures and airflows. This 3DP part isn’t the sensor element, but sensors like thermocouple junctions may be 3D printed someday.

The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT-enabled devices such as smart appliances and medical wearables need sensors that are smaller and more power-efficient. As the market for these technologies continues to grow, more sensors will incorporate integrated circuits (ICs) and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). Some of these sensors will also incorporate integrated processors.

5G networks will support the growth of IoT devices by increasing the speed, responsiveness, capacity, and latency of wireless communications. “5G networks will become the standard,” says Binghamton University’s Kuracina. “Data-transfer rates are expected to exceed 20 gigabits per second, requiring manufacturers to analyze and test their technologies with new methods and equipment.”

Dominic Testo, business development manager at Specialty Silicone Products in Ballston Spa, New York, supplies EMI silicones to companies like JBC Technologies. “There’s still time to prepare,” Testo says, “but designers need to understand some 5G network fundamentals.” For example, “the millimeter-waves in 5G don’t travel as far as low-frequency waves and won’t readily pass through structures.”

New Sensing Applications

New Sensing Applications

T&M engineers can also expect new sensing applications in 2019. According to researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, cyborg-like devices for smart agriculture are possible. Elowan, a wheeled robot that’s attached to a plant, has embedded electrodes in the pant itself. The robot moves toward or away from a light source in response to bioelectrical signals produced by photosynthesis.

IEEE Spectrum predicts an “Internet of disposable things” with sensors made of paper or plastic and embedded in food packaging. For example, by detecting the concentration of gases associated with food decomposition, you’ll be able to tell whether the meat that’s been in the back of your refrigerator is still safe to eat. Instead of sniffing the package and hoping for the best, you’ll get an alert on your smart phone.

Finally, the future is full of promise for micro-sensor implants, self-powered sensors, biodegradable sensors, sensor swarms, and so called “smart dust” that’s powered by vibrations. For T&M engineers, these developments aren’t just all in a day’s work. If the wireless router in your house can use RF reflections to find you, what else will 2019 bring?

By Steve Melito
Manufacturing Industry Writer

New Signal Buffer Conditioner Solves Signal Distribution Challenge

Signal Buffer ConditionerMTI Instruments is solving signal distribution challenges with a new product, the BC804 signal buffer conditioner. Now available as part of a limited production run, the BC804 acts as a buffered amplifier and is optimized for ultra-sensitive measurement equipment.

When a single signal must be distributed to multiple instruments, one shortened output can affect the others. The BC804 solves this signal-distribution challenge by providing eight fully independent and isolated buffer amplifier channels.

With the BC804, each channel has one input and four buffered outputs. Each output can tolerate a short without failure and won’t affect the other outputs. Equipped with robust electronics, the BC804 detects and redistributes a high-impedance signal to multiple low-impedance consumers of that signal.

The BC804 signal buffer conditioner also features a flexible design with single-ended or differential signals, optional integrated outputs, and AC or DC coupling. This rack-mountable, fan-out device also has a small form factor with a 1U chassis.

Specifications and schematics for the BC804 are available online. MTI Instruments is offering a limited production run at 40% off standard per channel pricing. Pre-order now to reserve your unit for delivery in 2019.

Perspective: The Importance of Aviation Engine Vibration Testing

A conversation with Rick Jones, President and CEO of MTI Instruments

Jet engine vibration is perhaps the worst enemy of an aircraft maintenance team. Out-of-balance parts can lead to cracked fan, turbine, and compressor components; general metal fatigue; and if unchecked, catastrophic engine failure. Overall vibration, however, is actually the summation of vibration contributions from any combination of moving parts within the engine, which makes analysis and balancing extremely complicated. Structural characteristics of individual aircraft compound the problem. Engine location on the airframe or type of engine mount, for example, can transmit or magnify vibration troubles. Rick Jones, President and CEO of MTI Instruments, addresses this industry-wide challenge to aviation safety and service.

Read more and download the complete White Paper

MTI Blog

Three Vibration / Balancing Solutions for the Aviation Industry

MTI Instruments has just released a new White Paper entitled “Three Vibration / Balancing Solutions for the Aviation Industry,” by Isaac Abbott, Lead Engineer at MTI Instruments.

Jet engine vibration is an everyday concern for commercial and military aviation. This white paper describes three technology solutions that streamline vibration analysis and simplify balancing:

1)    A test cell turbine vibration analyzer/balancing system

2)    A portable vibration analysis and engine trim balance instrument

3)    Proprietary signal conditioning for all engine types

Good for production and overhaul operations, as well as installed engine maintenance and repair, these systems help ensure flight safety and efficient service.

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