Dynamic Sensors and Calibration Expertise

Michael Mains
(30+ years with focus on Calibration System Development, plus expertise in Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis)
The Modal Shop, Inc., An Amphenol Company, Ohio 

• Product Specialist, Software and Mechanical Engineer at The Modal Shop, working with TMS’s Structural Test Products, Calibration Systems, and Resonant Inspection Nondestructive Testing Systems
• Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati and Faculty Advisor for Bearcat Motorsports, the organization for the University of Cincinnati's Formula FSAE and SAE Baja teams
• Member of IMEKO TC22 and participates in TC3 and TC16
• Presented on various subjects from dynamic sensor metrology to digital sensors and their implementation with ChatGPT, to ballistics testing using conformal pressure sensors and Modal Analysis with a focus on Modal Parameter Estimation
• 14 years as a Senior Software Developer at Brüel & Kjær
• Written and/or co-authored numerous technical papers including:
  • “The Impact Calibration Technique for Piezoelectric Force Sensors”
  • “Comparison of Calibration Techniques for Piezoelectric Force Sensors”
  • “Orthogonality for Modal Vector Correlation: The Effects of Removing Degrees-of-Freedom”
  • “A “Local Solve” Method for Extracting Modal Parameters from Inconsistent Data”
  • “Theoretical Foundations for High Performance Order Tracking with the Vold-Kalman Tracking Filter”
  • “Multi Axle Order Tracking with the Vold-Kalman Tracking Filter”
  • “Structural Control and Monitoring Using Adaptive Spatio-Temporal Filtering”
  • “Investigation of the Effects of Transducer Cross-Sensitivity and Misalignment Error on Modal Vector Correlation”
  • “Investigation of Methods for Pre-Testing, Correlating and Updating Analytical and Experimental Modal Models”

Chad Kallmeyer
(10+ years focus on dynamic sensing and structural dynamics)
The Modal Shop, Inc., An Amphenol Company, Ohio 

• Product Manager driving the development of Calibration Systems and Structural Test solutions
• Active in the sound and vibration community attending and presenting at conferences, seminars, and exhibitions
• Thousands of hours as an application expert disseminating knowledge of
  • Modal and General Vibration Shakers
  • Rental and Calibration Services
  • Data Acquisition Systems
  • Calibration Measurement Techniques

Jeff Dosch Ph.D.
(20+ years expertise in piezoelectric and capacitive sensor design and calibration)
PCB Piezotronics, New York

• Sensor Design Engineer and Calibration System Specialist for 15 years at PCB’s Technology Center
• Doctor of Science in Vibration Control bringing an in-depth knowledge of sensor and system function
• Published multiple technical papers including:
  • “Hopkinson Bar Acceptance Testing for Shock Accelerometers”
  • “Automated Testing of Accelerometer Transverse Sensitivity”
  • “A Heterodyne Laser Interferometer for Primary Calibration of Accelerometers”
  • “Primary Calibration of Accelerometer Complex Sensitivity by Laser Interferometry”
  • “Low Frequency Accelerometer Calibration Using Earth’s Gravity”
  • “Air Bearing Shaker for Precision Calibration of Accelerometers

Patrick Timmons
(8+ years focus on dynamic sensors, metrology, and mechanical excitation systems)
The Modal Shop, Inc. an Amphenol Corporation, Ohio

• Calibration systems engineer facilitating the development, improvement, and support of dynamic calibration systems
• Expertise in the design of low frequency vibration calibration exciters utilizing linear motor technology
• Participates via papers and presentations on calibration and calibration system development at vibration and metrology conferences
• Thousands of hours of on-site instruction on theory and operation of calibration systems and laboratory practices at aerospace, defense, automotive, industrial, and metrology facilities around the world

Dr. Ing. Carmine Salzano
(25+ years expertise in vibration control, structural analysis and environmental stress screening)
PCB Piezotronics, New York

• International Aerospace Defense Manager at PCB Italy for 6 years
• Doctor of Science in Engineering
• Employed by Brüel & Kjaer for 14 years as Sales Engineer and later Aerospace Defense Manager
• Attended Nation Science Foundation/European Science Foundation Workshop on smart structures and advanced sensing
• Expertise in sensing technology for vibration, acoustics, pressure, force, torque and strain measurements
• Member of European Acoustic Association (EAA: 99-02), Acoustic Italian Association (AIA: 91-05), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA: 08-present)
• Presents at multiple Aerospace Conferences around the world
• Published multiple technical papers including:
  • “Noise and Vibration Levels in Homes and the Workplace”
  • “Noise and Acoustic Insulation”
  • “An Introduction to Passive Building Requirements and Predictive Models”
  • “Dynamic Strain Sensor”
  • “Accelerometers for Health and Usage Monitoring of Helicopters”

Dr. Pat Walter
(40+ years expertise in dynamic sensing, instrumentation and calibration)
Consultant to PCB Piezotronics, Texas

• Professor at Texas Christian University (TCU) in the solid mechanics and advanced vibration areas
• Previously worked at Sandia National Laboratory managing metrology and structural test laboratories, instrumentation development for ground and flight testing, and development and fielding of rocket flight systems and payloads
• Served and chaired Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE) committees and consults extensively in the aerospace and defense industries
• Member of Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) for 25 years
• Received Lifetime Achievement Award from Shock and vibration Information Analysis Center (SAVIAC)
• Published multiple technical papers including:
  • “Instrumentation System Rise Time for Shock and Blast Measurements”
  • “A History of the Origin and Evolution of Modal Transducers”
  • “Measurement System Design and Evolution”
  • “A Mechanical, Pneumatic System to Perform In Situ Calibration of Blast Transducers”
  • “Lessons Learned in Applying Accelerometers to Nuclear Effects Testing”
  • “Air-Blast and the Science of Dynamic Pressure Measurements”
  • “Dealing with Measurement Uncertainty”
  • “The History of the Accelerometer, Sound and Vibration"