Non-Contact Vibration Measurement

EUROAMERICA Supplies digital laser Doppler vibrometers (LDV) in single-point, fiber and scanning versions. Laser Doppler vibrometers from Optomet are high-precision instruments for non-contact vibration measurements of individual points or entire surfaces. Whether measuring on highly or poorly reflective materials, microstructures to entire buildings – Optomet’s modular LDV systems are the ideal solution for almost any vibration measurement application.

Overview of Features of the Optomet Vibrometry Systems

Optomet provides innovative and modern approaches for laser vibrometry. A selection of a few benefits coming with all of our laser vibrometers are:

Accuracy and performance through digital signal processing: Optomet pioneered FPGA based vibrometers for high-performance and loss-free signal processing at a data rate of 160 MS / s, a measurement range that extends up to speeds greater than 25 m / s and vibration frequency ranges up to 24 MHz. The Gigabit Ethernet interface enables a continuous digital signal chain with a resolution of up to 32 bits, enabling a dynamic range of more than 220 dB. The Gigabit Ethernet digital interface is also used to control the vibrometer remotely. Measurement data are output simultaneously in analog form via standard BNC connectors.
Intuitive operation and true portability: When combined with Optomet’s best in class software, Optomet vibrometers provide users a complete measurement system for acquisition and analysis of vibration data. Intuitive operation enables users who are new to vibrometry to obtain reliable measurement results within a very short time. The all-in-one design combines laser source, interferometer and signal processing in a single housing. This enables efficient deployment, easy operation and makes the Optomet vibrometer truly portable. In conjunction with the 12 V DC voltage supply, the systems are also ideally suited for mobile use.
Modular configurations: Individual decoders for measuring displacement, velocity and acceleration with numerous measuring ranges, various optical configurations are available to the requirements for measurement distance and spot size and a wide selection of software components allow the configuration of the Optomet vibrometer systems to be tailored to each customer’s application.

Vector series with a laser wavelength of 633 nm enables the non-contact vibration measurements of objects of microscopic to macroscopic sizes with the highest accuracy and precision. High Flexibility for a Variety of Applications The Vector series is the standard vibrometer for a wide range of vibration measurement problems. It is particularly suitable for surfaces with high to moderate surface reflectivity, for measurements on or below the surface of water and for applications in which the smallest laser spot size is critical. Water is not an Obstacle Helium-Neon lasers have a wavelength of 633 nm and are able to shine through water with minimal loss of laser power. HeNe vibrometers are therefore indispensable if there is a layer of water between the vibrometer and the vibrating measurement object. Measuring Microstructures Due to their short wavelength, HeNe lasers allow the measurement beam to be optimally focused on the order of micrometers. They are therefore the ideal choice for measurements of the smallest features or microstructures.

The Nova series is a modern and digital free beam laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV), which works with a SWIR measuring laser (Short-Wavelength-InfraRed; SWIR). The Nova series is essential when every decibel is important for the signal level or exceptional dynamic range is required. Typical scenarios relate to structures that reflect visible light poorly, such as dark and rough surfaces or biological tissue. Even when measuring over long distances, for example in construction or on glowing surfaces such as turbine blades in the aerospace industry or in vehicle and plant construction, the signal strength is crucial. Measurements on carbon composite panels or other non-cooperative materials can be carried out just as easily as measurements at distances of more than 200 m, without the need to treat the surface of the measurement object.

Fiber series is a further development of the Nova series, which combines the superior performance of SWIR (short-wavelength infrared) laser vibrometry with the flexibility of compact optical fiber-coupled heads. The laser vibrometers are connected to the optical heads by glass fibers. Separate fibers for the outgoing measurement beam and the incoming reflected signal ensure optimal signal quality without mutual interference.

Scanning laser Doppler vibrometry is a full-field vibration imaging measurement technique in which the vibrometer measurement beam scans the test object and records the vibration data of a grid of measurement points within a short time. The Optomet scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) combines the superior signal quality of the Nova SWIR digital vibrometers with beam deflection mirrors, a HD video camera, an integrated signal generator and inputs for reference channels. With the OptoSCAN software, the scanning laser vibrometer becomes a turn-key and intuitively operated vibration visualization system. In conjunction with the OptoGUI software, the SLDV can be operated as a single-point vibrometer. The non-contact vibration measurement of any test structure provides precise and valuable insight into the structure’s dynamic behavior. Operating and structural vibrations can be animated, resonances identified, finite element model calculations validated, or the energy propagation of surface waves made visible.

OptoSCAN: Remote Control, Data Acquisition, Visualization & Analysis Software for Imaging Vibrometry In combination with the Optomet scanning laser Doppler vibrometers, the OptoSCAN software forms a complete solution for imaging vibration measurements. OptoSCAN combines point by point scanning data with geometry information to animate vibrations and surface waves of nearly any test object for design optimization, solving structural problems, validating FE Models and fundamental research. Data is displayed in numerous time and frequency based quantities. Laser Scanning Measurements with OptoSCAN - Simple & Fast OptoSCAN was developed as a tool for the simple and efficient use of the Optomet scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. The modern 64-bit multithreaded software ensures smooth operation even with large amounts of data. A live analysis of the measurement data during the measurement process is also possible. The software can be used with standard PC hardware running Windows 10, therefore data acquisition, analysis and visualization can be easily handled on almost any PC.

OptoGUI: Software for Single-Point Vibrometers Digital Workflow for Optomet Vibrometers OptoGUI is the measurement, analysis and remote-control software which compliments the Optomet single-point vibrometers to form a complete vibration measurement system from a single source with a continuous digital signal path. Remote Control the Vibrometer The OptoGUI allows users to view and control all the Optomet vibrometer settings via Ethernet connection. This is a highly convenient feature which improves efficiency and eliminates the need to physically touch the vibrometer once setup is complete. Data Acquisition The OptoGUI software acquires the measurement data via the Gigabit Ethernet interface with upto 32-bit resolution. It displays displacement, velocity and acceleration as a function of time and frequency. Measurements can be triggered with the recorded data or external signal. Presentation and Analysis Cursor and zoom functions facilitate analysis of the measurement data. The frequency (FFT) display shows the spectrum of the measurement with up to 536 million lines and resonances can be automatically found and quantified. The frequency content over time is shown as a spectrogram. Data Export The measurement data can be saved in standard file formats as text or binary data for further processing. Output as an audio file is also possible. The analog displacement, velocity and acceleration signals are output in simultaneously via BNC connectors.