An Interesting Blog: Vibration Sensors and their Types

 

This is another blog about vibration sensors and motor vibration with a recommendation for my favorite company for such needs.

Lately, vibration sensors have been on the mind again.  It’s the mechanical oscillation around the equilibrium position of a machine that makes it shake so much.  I can’t stop thinking about it.

That shaking might not be normal, by the way.

When it comes to motor vibration, you need to have your team on that 24/7. If these machines, which produce your product, break down, you’re not making a profit. The company is just eating cost after cost until the problem is fixed.

To avoid this problem, think ahead. Invest in equipment that sends you a message as soon as the machines start to vibration in a wonky way. Shake! Shake! Shake! This one’s going to break down soon, get some help.

There are different types of vibration sensors out there today.

1.  The first is accelerometers. These devices measure vibration as well as the acceleration of motion within the given structure. They have a transducer that converts mechanical force, caused by vibration or a change in motion, into an electrical current using the piezoelectric effect.

2. Strain Gauge

Just like it sounds. A strain gauge measures the strain on a machine component. A strain gauge is a sensor whose resistance varies with applied force; it converts force, pressure, tension, weight, etc., into a change in electrical resistance, which can then be measured.

3. Eddy-Current

The last type of vibration sensor is an Eddy-Current or Capacitive Displacement sensor. Eddy-Current sensors are non-contact devices that measure the position and/or change of position of a conductive component. These sensors operate with magnetic fields. The sensor has a probe which creates an alternating current at the tip of the probe.

What’s my favorite company for these products? It’s STI: www.sti-web.com.

Vibration sensors, motor vibration devices, accelerometers, and Eddy-Currents aren’t everybody’s favorite watercooler conversation talk, but I bet the folks at STI think it’s interesting stuff!