Search:
(clear)

  • a

  • The timing relationship measured in degrees between a once-per-turn shaft marker followed by the first vibration peak of a filtered vibration signal.
  • Acceleration is the rate at which an object’s velocity changes over time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
  • An accelerometer is a sensor that measures acceleration. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity, i.e. how quickly a body is speeding up or slowing down while travelling in a given direction.
  • Accelerometer frequency response is a specification of the accelerometer sensitivity as a function frequency.
  • The properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
  • Active Grid Length is defined as the net longitudinal length of the strain-sensitive part of a measurement grid.
  • A transducer that generates its output power from an applied force or energy, functioning independently without the need for external excitation to operate.
  • Consists of sensors on three axes that provide attitude information for aircraft, including roll, pitch, and yaw. Designed to replace traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments.
  • Ambient noise refers to the background sound present in an environment, typically consisting of a combination of various sources.
  • Ambient temperature is the temperature of the surrounding air or environment.
  • An electronic device designed to amplify the electrical output of a transducer.
  • Amplitude refers to the maximum deviation of a wave from its mean or centre line, representing the peak value of the wave’s oscillation in either direction.
  • An electronic system that transforms the analogue output from force transducers into digital signals.
  • An electronic circuit designed to process continuously varying signals, known as analogue signals, conveys information by means of alterations in current, voltage, or frequency.
  • Strain gauges that are connected individually in a Wheatstone quarter bridge circuit will display an output signal if the temperature changes. This signal is called ‘apparent strain’ or ‘thermal output’ and is independent of the mechanical load on the test object.
  • The positioning of the applied force or load along the primary axis of the transducer.
  • The direction that runs parallel to the axis of an object.
  • The force applied parallel to the platform’s axis at the point where it is exerted.

  • b

  • The condition of a strain gauge instrument that has been calibrated to produce no output can be described as zero-balanced. It is important to note that the instrument can achieve this state even when the Wheatstone bridge is resistively unbalanced.
  • Bandwidth a range of frequencies, usually of standard size in acoustics, for example octave or one-third octave bands. The lower and upper frequencies are also known as the -3 dB or half-power points.
  • Bias is the known systematic error of a measuring instrument.
  • Biaxial Stress is a state of stress in which a material or structure is subjected to significant stress components acting simultaneously along two perpendicular axes or direction within a plane.
  • A valve connected to the diaphragm of a pneumatic load responds to the diaphragm’s deflection caused by external pressure. This action regulates the opening and closing of the outlet nozzle for the load cell.
  • A Body Pressure Measurement System (BPMS) uses ultra-thin, flexible pressure sensors to measure and display pressure distribution and magnitude between the human body and surfaces like seats or mattresses.
  • Check quality as it happens using LaserLinc’s Bump & Taper solution. Equipped with virtual ring gauge, profile analysis, and visualisation tools, operators see quality on-line and can dial in production quickly.

  • c

  • It is the process of verifying the capability and performance of an item of measuring and test equipment by comparison to traceable measurement standards.
  • The centre of force is defined as the point toward or from which a central force acts.
  • A force that influences an object moving along a circular path. This force follows a radial direction, extending outward from the centre of rotation of the object.
  • A Certificate of Accreditation is an official document that offers third-party validation, confirming that an organisation is competent, impartial, and capable of carrying out specific technical tasks or services, such as testing, inspection, or certification.
  • A sensor with the associated signal conditioner and monitor hardware require to display its output signal.
  • A charge amplifier converts a charge input signal into an output voltage. It is a charge-to-voltage converter.
  • Classical shock pulses are industry-standard pulses performed on a mechanical shock machine.
  • A multiaxial state of stress is generated by the interplay of two or more types of loads, including axial, bending, and/or torsional forces.
  • Concentricity is the quality of having a common centre.
  • A time dependent permanent deformation of a material under the action of an applied stress.
  • Cross-axis sensitivity is a sensor’s unintended response to motion or input perpendicular to its designated measurement axis.
  • Cross gauges consist of two foil grids mounted at 90° to each other at the same location. The purpose of these gauges is to measure strain in two perpendicular directions.

  • d

  • DAkkS is the national authority of the Federal Republic of Germany. It acts as a state-authorised authority to assess and confirm the technical competence of testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, and certification bodies.
  • To reduce the ‘Q’ or maximum resonant response by extracting energy, usually by converting motion into heat.
  • One method involves applying or spraying a substance onto relatively thin metal panels to harness energy from their flexing. This approach reduces the Q factor of each panel mode.
  • A damping coefficient is a parameter that defines the rate at which energy is dissipated in a system due to the presence of damping forces, such as friction or air resistance.
  • It is the process of sampling signals that measure real-world physical conditions (like temperature, pressure, voltage, sound, or strain) and converting the resulting analogue samples into digital numeric values.
  • A data logger is a versatile electronic device designed to autonomously record various data points over time, including temperature, pressure, and humidity.
  • A decibel (abbreviated dB) is a unit used to measure the relative amplitude (loudness) of an audio signal.
  • Change in the shape of a body or material.
  • Degrees of freedom represents the number of independent, unrestricted values in a data sample that can vary when estimating statical parameters.
  • A diameter is a straight line segment that passes through the centre of a circle, sphere, or other round shape, connecting two opposite points on its edge or surface.
  • Displacement is the absolute change in position of a point in a body. A whole object can move without any internal change, meaning points have moved (displacement), but the shape hasn’t changed (zero strain). Generally measured in millimetres (mm).
  • The deviation over time of an instrument’s indicated value may result from altered physical conditions caused by wear. It is defined as the difference between the error values identified in two consecutive calibrations.
  • A technique employed in signal conditioners and/or monitors involves processing a single sensor input through two distinct pathways. Each path features its own measurement units (for example, velocity and displacement), optional filtering, setpoints, and readout displays.
  • A passive temperature compensation resistor is placed on the arm next to the active arm in a quarter-bridge strain gauge setup. The dummy gauge counteracts temperature effects on strain measurement by experiencing identical temperature changes as the active gauge.
  • A dummy resistor is a bridge completion resistor located in an inactive arm of the Wheatstone bridge adjacent to an active arm.
  • A dynamic force is an active, time-dependent influence that results in a change to an object’s position, velocity, or acceleration.
  • The study and analysis of bodies in motion under the influence of forces, where the system involves accelerated motion or forces that change over time.
  • A dynamic signal analyser is an instrument that measures and analyses the frequency distribution of rapidly changing mechanical signals like vibration, noise and stress by converting time-domain data into the frequency domain.

  • e

  • The eccentricity is a measure of how perfectly circular they are: an eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfect circle.
  • A stress induces change that is fully reversible if the stress gets removed.
  • Measurement of a material’s elasticity. Elastic modulus quantifies a material’s resistance to non-permanent, lactic or deformation.
  • An absolute strain in tension.
  • Environmental Testing is the process of subjecting a sample of products to a simulation of anticipated, storage, transport and service, including vibration, shock, temperature, altitude, humidity etc.
  • In physics, equilibration is the process through which a system reaches equilibrium, where all factors are balanced, resulting in no net change over time.
  • Ergonomics can be defined as the study of people in their working environment. It’s about making things like workstations, tools an tasks more comfortable and efficient and safe for users.
  • Excitation is defined as applying a controlled force or signal (like random noise, sine, or burst) to a structure to make it vibrate, revealing its natural frequencies, damping, and mode shapes for analysis.
  • An exciter is a device, person, or mechanism that initiates activity, generates signals, or induces energy.
  • Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) is a method that identifies a structure’s natural vibration characteristics by applying a controlled force and measuring the resulting vibrations. This process creates a “modal model” that defines the structure’s dynamic properties.
  • The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is an algorithm used for state estimation in nonlinear dynamic systems. It extends the functionality of the standard Kalman Filter, which is optimal for linear systems, by approximating the nonlinear system as a linear one at each time step.

  • f

  • Feedthroughs are defined as devices designed to reliably seal probes or power/instrumentation wires that pass through a pressure or environment boundary.
  • The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is an algorithm that calculates the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of a sequence or its inverse, converting a time-domain signal into the frequency domain for easier frequency analysis.
  • Flaw Detection refers to the process of identifying and assessing structural defects or flaws in materials, components or systems.
  • Flawsense technology is a defect detection tool that uses laser-line triangulation to measure diameter and ovality, providing a contour map at speeds up to 10,000 times per second and nearly 100% inspection coverage.
  • A foil strain gauge is a sensor consisting of a thin, flexible metallic foil pattern mounted on a non-conductive backing material.
  • A force is a push or pull that can change the motion of an object. Forces can be big or small, and they can be applied in different directions.
  • A sine peak represents the highest positive or lowest negative displacement of a sinusoidal waveform from its zero-reference level.
  • Forced vibration is a type of vibration in which a force is repeatedly applied to a mechanical system.
  • Free vibration refers to a type of vibration in which a system, once set into motion, vibrates at its natural frequency without any external influence.
  • Frequency output refers to an output signal in the form of frequency that changes in proportion to an applied measurement or input signal.
  • A full bridge strain gauge configuration is an electrical circuit (a Wheatstone bridge) that incorporates four active strain gauges to measure mechanical deformation (strain).
  • The number of Hertz or cycles per second of the lowest frequency component of a complex, cyclic motion.

  • g

  • G-force is a measurement of acceleration, expressed in multiples of Earth’s standard gravitational acceleration.
  • The gauge factor (‘k’ or ‘GF’) is a fundamental, dimensionless property of a strain gauge that defines its sensitivity.
  • Gauge Length is the defined initial length of a strain gauge, unstressed state at a reference temperature, typically room temperature.
  • Gauge resistance is the inherent electrical resistance of a strain gauge in its initial, unstressed state at a reference temperature, typically room temperature. This nominal resistance is crucial for designing and operating measurement circuits.
  • A network of satellites that broadcasts timing and orbital information, which is used for navigation and measuring the position of an item.
  • A gyroscope is a device used to measure or maintain orientation and angular velocity, operating on the physics principle of the conservation of angular momentum.

  • h

  • A half bridge, also known as a half-bridge circuit, is a fundamental topology used in power electronics.
  • Sinusoidal quantities at frequencies that are an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency.

  • i

  • Integrated Electric Piezo Electric refers to a type of piezoelectric sensor that has a built-in miniature charge amplifier or impedance converter circuit. Also known as – Isotron, Deltatron, Piezotron, ICP and LIVM.
  • An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is an electronic device that measures an object’s specific force, angular rate, and sometimes orientation using a combination of sensors, typically accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers.
  • Inductive displacement refers to the use of an electrical sensor to measure the physical movement or position of an object based on the principles of electromagnetic induction.
  • Inertial Navigation System is a sensor device that measures and reports a vehicle or devices specific force and angular rate along three orthogonal axes: typically X,Y and Z.
  • The Inside Diameter (ID) is a measurement defined as the straight-line distance across the interior of a hollow, circular object, such as a pipe or a tube. Crucial for calculations related to flow capacity and fluid dynamics.
  • Interface pressure is the pressure that occurs at the boundary (interface) between two different media, materials or surfaces in contact.
  • IP67 is an internationally standardised code that defines the degree of protection an enclosure provides against the ingress of solid objects (like dust and water).
  • International Organisation for Standardisation.

  • k

  • The k-Gauge Factor is a dimensionless proportionality constant that describes the sensitivity of a strain gauge, indicating how efficiently it converts mechanical strain into a measurable change in electrical resistance.

  • l

  • Linear refers to something that is arranged in a straight line, follows a sequence, or relates to a single dimension, specifically length.
  • Forces, deformations, and the weights that are applied, exerted, or positioned on a surface are crucial concepts. A load is classified as a vector quantity, which means it possesses both magnitude and direction in which it acts.
  • A load cell is a transducer that converts a physical force (like weight, tension or compression) into a proportional electrical signal acting as a highly precise sensor for measuring weight or force in applications from digital scales to industrial testing equipment.

  • m

  • A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields, commonly used to detect variations in Earth’s magnetic field for navigation.
  • The maximum amplitude or displacement of a vibrating device.
  • Measurement is a collection of quantitative or numerical data that describes a property of an object or event.
  • Mechanical strain is a geometric measure of deformation representing the relative displacement between particles in a material body due to an applied force or load (stress).
  • Modal analysis is the analysis of a structure to find its natural frequencies of vibration.

  • n

  • Natural frequency refers to the inherent vibration frequency at which an object, naturally vibrates when distributed.
  • A nip pressure system used to measure and display the contact pressure and width between two or more rollers, typically in industrial processes like printing or paper manufacturing.
  • A noise is a type of sound is defined as unwanted, annoying, unpleasant or loud.
  • The deformation of the force transducer when the rated load is applied serves as a key measurement. This factor reflects the stiffness of the transducer.
  • NVH stands for Noise, Vibration and Harshness which seeks to understand the source of industrial noise and modify equipment to reduce it.

  • o

  • Orientation is defined as the spatial arrangement of positioning of an object relative to a reference frame. It describes how a body is rotated or “turned” in space.
  • Outer Diameter (OD) is defined as the measurement of a straight line that passes through the centre of a circular or cylindrical object and connects two points on its extreme outer edges.
  • A quantitative measurement of how ”round” a tube is.

  • p

  • Peak pressure is defined as the maximum instantaneous pressure reached during a specific event or cycle.
  • Peak sound pressure is defined as the maximum absolute value of the instantaneous sound pressure during a specific time interval or measurement period.
  • Piezoelectric is a property of a certain material that induces an electric current when mechanically stressed.
  • Poisson’s ratio is a fundamental, dimensionless material property defined as the negative ratio of the lateral strain to the longitudinal strain when an elastic body is subjected to a single direction of stress.
  • A potentiometer is an instrument for measuring the potential (voltage) in a circuit. It can also be used as a variable resistor to adjust voltage levels.
  • Pressure distribution refers to the variation of pressure across a specific area or within a fluid system. It describes how the force applied perpendicularly to a surface is spread out over that area.
  • Profile measurement is a metrology process that captures the 2D or 3D contour, shape and micro-topography of a surface to verify that it meets design specifications.
  • A non-contact sensors that measure the dynamic displacement (vibration) and relative motion of a machine shaft, typically within fluid-film bearings.

  • q

  • A Q factor (Quality Factor) is a dimensionless parameter in physics and engineering that measures an oscillator or resonator’s efficiency, specifically how underdamped it is (how long it vibrates).
  • A quarter bridge is a specific configuration of a Wheatstone bridge circuit used in which just one of the four resistive arms serves as an active sensing element, such as a strain gauge. The remaining three arms consist of fixed, passive resistors commonly referred to as dummy resistors.

  • r

  • Deviations in measuring instruments can be identified but are difficult to explain. Engineering uses probability and statistical tools to estimate random errors, assuming that these errors are part of various signals with different likelihoods. This probability distribution creates uncertainty(...)
  • Random vibration refers to a type of mechanical oscillation or motion that has no regular, predictable pattern over time. It is not possible to predict the exact amplitude of a random vibration.
  • Measured against a selected reference point, proximity probes assess the dynamic motion and position of the shaft in relation to the probe’s mounting, typically the bearing or bearing housing.
  • The timing relationship, expressed in degrees, between two similar vibration signals—such as velocity to velocity, acceleration to acceleration, or displacement to displacement (not between velocity and displacement or acceleration and velocity)—is measured within a range of zero to 180(...)
  • Residual stress is the internal stress that stays in a solid material after all outside forces and environmental loads are removed. These stresses balance each other within the material, meaning that the total of all residual forces and moments in the body is zero.
  • A Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) is a temperature sensor that is based on the fundamental principle of physics, which states that the electrical resistance of a pure metal changes predictably, linearly, and repeatably with temperature variations.
  • In physics, resistive strain refers to the change in the electrical resistance of a material when it is subjected to mechanical deformation (strain).
  • Resonance is the phenomenon in which an oscillating system or object is compelled to vibrate at its natural frequency. This results in maximum amplitude of oscillations and efficient energy transfer from the driving force.
  • A strain gauge rosette is an arrangement of two or more individual strain gauges positioned closely together at specific angles to measure the full, multi-directional state of strain at a single point on a material’s surface.
  • Real-Time Kinematic is a precise positioning technology used in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to achieve highly accurate location data.

  • s

  • The number of instances per unit time (usually per second) that an analogue digital converter (ADC) reads the value (such as volts or decibels) of an analogue signal in order to convert it to a digital signal. It is usually expressed in Hertz (Hz) or, equivalently samples per second.
  • A sealing gland is a mechanical device used to seal a penetration in a barrier while allowing an element like a cable, wire, pipe or rod to pass through.
  • One or more monitoring channels are required, each consisting of: 1) a seismic accelerometer or velocity sensor, 2) a signal conditioner, and 3) a monitor. Depending on the specific application, these monitoring components can be partially combined or fully integrated into an electronic(...)
  • A type of strain gauge manufactured from strips of either n-type or p-type semiconducting silicon. It exhibits special characteristics such as high output, no creep or hysteresis and long fatigue life.
  • A sensor is a device that detects and measures a physical quantity or change in its environment and converts it into a measurable signal, typically electrical.
  • SensorCloud RTK is a multi-continent, IP-based RTK cloud network that simplifies the complex RTK corrections pipeline into a streamlined user experience. Designed by MicroStrain by HBK, it delivers centimetre-level position accuracy with unprecedented ease of implementation and cost-effectiveness.
  • SensorCloud is a unique sensor data storage, visualisation, and remote management platform that leverages powerful Cloud computing technologies to provide excellent data scalability, rapid visualisation, and user programmable analysis.
  • SensorConnect is a comprehensive desktop software that simplifies sensor management from configuration to analysis. Deploy, monitor, and analyse data from your MicroStrain wireless and inertial devices through one powerful, intuitive platform.
  • A force that acts perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body, or equivalently parallel to a cross-section of the body.
  • Shock refers to a temporary, high-intensity force or motion, such as impact or a drop, that disrupts the equilibrium of a system.
  • Shock testing is a methodology used to assess a product or material’s ability to withstand sudden, high-magnitude, and short-duration mechanical impacts.
  • The calibration of a load cell transducer by the insertion of known resistors into the appropriate arms of its Wheatstone bridge circuit.
  • The numerical difference between the output readings obtained from shunt calibrations and the known value of the loads.
  • Signal conditioning is the process of manipulating and modifying an electrical signal to prepare it for further processing or transmission.
  • Sine testing is a method that subjects an object to vibrations using a single-frequency sine wave at a specified amplitude. The frequency can either remain constant (known as sine dwell) or, more commonly, sweep across a specific range to identify critical frequencies where the object is most(...)
  • Sine vibration is a type of mechanical testing or motion where an object is subjected to a single-frequency oscillation that follows a sine wave, characterised by constant, predictable amplitude and frequency.
  • Sound is a form of energy produced by vibrations. When an object vibrates, it disrupts nearby air molecules, causing them to move. These molecules then collide with adjacent molecules, making them vibrate as well.
  • Sound level is defined as the reading in decibels (dB) obtained from a sound-level meter.
  • A sound level meter (SLM) measures sound pressure levels (SPL) in decibels (dB) by converting sound waves into electrical signals. It uses a microphone, amplifier, and display to quantify noise, often applying frequency weightings like A-weighting to assess workplace safety or environmental noise.
  • A load whose size/magnitude does not change with time.
  • The ability of a body to resist deformation when a load is applied to it. It is similar to the Young modulus.
  • Strain is a dimensionless value that represents the relative change of the length of a material to its initial length.
  • A strain gauge is a sensor that measures deformation (strain) in an object by converting mechanical force, pressure, or weight into a change in electrical resistance.
  • Strain meters are commonly utilised to measure the strain or deformation of a material, as well as any alterations in its length when subjected to stress.
  • Stress is defined as the force per unit cross-sectional area that a material experiences when equal and opposite deforming forces are applied to it.
  • A vibration sweep, or sine sweep, is a test where a shaker applies sinusoidal vibrations to a product, altering frequency within a specified range, typically from low to high or vice versa.

  • t

  • A perspective for analysing structural dynamics, representing a system’s behaviour as a combination of natural vibration modes rather than time or frequency histories. It transforms complex physical motion into simpler independent single degree of freedom models.
  • A temperature sensor formed by the junction of two dissimilar metals. A thermocouple produces a voltage proportional to the difference in temperature between the hot junction and the lead wire (cold) junction.
  • The turning effect caused by a force acting on a body at a distance from its centre of rotation. It is the product of this force and this distance (essentially a radius). The units for torque are typically foot-pounds or newton-meters.
  • The vector sum of all forces acting on an object, determining its acceleration and motion.
  • A method for precise, non-contact distance and dimensional measurement where a system calculates the location of a point on a target objects surface by forming a virtual triangle among a known laser source, the reflection point on the object, and a position-sensitive light detector.

  • u

  • Unequal radial weight distribution on a rotor system: a shaft condition where the mass centreline (principal inertial axis) does not coincide with the geometric centreline.

  • v

  • Velocity is an objects rate of change in position, combining both its speed and its specific direction making it a vector quantity.
  • Velocity sensors are vibration monitoring tools that measure the rate of change of displacement over time on machine casings, typically in mm/s or in/s.
  • A velocity transmitter generates a 4-20 mA signal that is directly proportional to axial velocity.
  • Vibration is defined as an oscillating, back-and-forth movement of objects, encompassing concepts like frequency, amplitude, acceleration and displacement.

  • w

  • Wall thickness is the measurement of the material’s depth from its inner surface to its outer surface crucial in engineering, manufacturing and medicine.
  • A waveform is the visual, graphical representation of a signal’s shape, amplitude, and behaviour over time.
  • Wavelength is defined as the spatial distance between two consecutive points of the same phase in a wave.
  • A weldable gauge is a specialised sensor or inspection tool designed to be securely attached to metal surfaces via spot-welding.
  • A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit that can measure very small variations in electrical resistance.
  • It’s a sensor that measures mechanical deformation (strain) in an object by detecting changes in its electrical resistance.

  • y

  • Modulus of Elasticity, also known as Elastic Modulus or simply Modulus, is the measurement of a material’s elasticity. Elastic modulus quantifies a material’s resistance to non-permanent, or elastic, deformation.