Share:
Issue 122, January 2018
Sharing knowledge helps us all continue to grow, give back, and develop talent in our industry. You may be a seasoned pro, using sensors in test applications for years. Or perhaps you're just getting started in the science of measurement. Either way, there are always opportunities to learn and to share. 

We've assembled this month's edition of Dynamic Sensors & Calibration Tips as a back-to-basics on sensor mounting. If you're a pro, perhaps you can think of someone who might benefit from a forward of this newsletter? If you're just starting out, we hope this helps you on your path.
Guidelines for Mounting Test Accelerometers

PCB Piezotronics has created an overview covering the basics of sensor mounting. PCB has over 50 years of expertise designing and building sensors. This succinct resource offers insight into:
  • the importance of a sensor's frequency response in determining mounting approach
  • why stud mounting is recommended 
  • how to avoid sensor damage when magnetic mounting

Read on to learn whether stud, screw, adhesive, or magnetic mounting is right for your test...


Tip of the Month

Certain accelerometers - commonly triaxial units - are packaged in a non-symmetric fashion, often with an off-center through-hole mount. These accelerometers can be the most challenging to calibrate because the sensing element is not aligned with the sensor's center of gravity or its intended mounting configuration. In order to get acceptable results, the unit often needs to be mounted as a best compromise between these. In other words, if the triax is mounted with its through-hole and a large amount of the sensor is consequently offset on the reference, a significant amount of transverse motion can be induced causing "glitches" in the calibration frequency response. For this case, the calibration technician may be required to adhesively mount the unit, avoiding the use of the more convenient through-hole threaded mount, and perform trial and error with adhesive mounting to produce the best calibration results.

Blast from the Past
The Science of Sensor Mounting for Calibration
 
In this month's article, we will address a few points on mounting types, mounting techniques, and how these can affect calibration results. Although we are addressing the result as it pertains to calibration, the same mounting phenomenon can also affect the results of accelerometer test data.

When mounting an accelerometer, there are several different options, each with their own pros and cons. In calibration, we typically stray towards the use of threaded studs or adhesives, but there are also flat magnetic, dual rail, hand probes, isolation bases and others. So why do we prefer to calibrate using stud mounting or adhesives?...
  
Thanks for joining us for another issue of Dynamic Sensors & Calibration Tips.
As always, please speak up and let us know what you like . We appreciate all feedback: positive, critical, or otherwise. Take care!

Sincerely,
Aaron Goosman -  Lilian Golan - 
Mike Dillon -  Patrick Timmons -  Shannon Henize 

Calibration Team
The Modal Shop
Engage with us:
Facebook Twitter Linkedin YouTube Behance

Confirm that you like this.

Click the "Like" button.