Our test engineers collect vibration data on rotating machinery using four basic tools. We use a Laptop computer with iTestSystem software to stream accelerometer and rotational/speed pulse sensor data from a National Instruments cDAQ equipped with vibration and voltage input modules. The video above shows how to collect vibration data using iTestSystem and a cDAQ.
Vibration Test Equipment
- Laptop with iTestSystem Software (Download Free Version)
- IEPE Accelerometers (607A60)
- Rotational/Speed Pulse Sensor (SICK WL9L-3P2232)
- NI cDAQ Chassis with Vibration and Voltage Modules (cDAQ-9189, NI-9234, NI-9229)
Vibration measurements are usually derived by analyzing data collected from IEPE accelerometers mounted to the rotating machinery structures and components of interest with magnetic bases or epoxy and a rotational/speed pulse sensor. Typical rotational/speed pulse sensors are magnetic pickups excited by gear teeth and keyways or optical sensors triggered by reflective tape adhered to the rotating machinery.
The most important part of the data collection process is choosing a sample rate. If you choose a sample rate that is too low, the data you have collected is useless. According to the Nyquist Theorem data must be sampled at a rate that is at least 2X the highest frequency you wish to record. 2X the highest frequency is a minimum number. Most test engineers like to sample from 2.5x to 10x higher than the highest frequency they wish to collect.
Typical general vibration measurements are sampled at 2kHz. However, vibration data collected from accelerometers and gear teeth pulses which is used for phase and speed measurements, and bearing fault detection, and torsional vibration determination must be collected at much higher sample rates like 50kHz.
Related Links
For more information about collecting vibration data, iTestSystem, data logging or test equipment rental, contact Ryan Welker @ (844) 837-8797 x702.
Have a vibration measurement challenge? Talk to the engineers who collect this data every day.
Related solutions
Data Acquisition
NI CompactDAQ-based acquisition systems, sensors, and modules for vibration, strain, and mixed-signal measurements. Explore →
iTestSystem Software
The acquisition and analysis platform our engineers use to stream, log, and analyze vibration data. Explore →
Genset Vibration Monitoring
Continuous vibration monitoring that turns the same measurement principles into 24/7 machine protection. Explore →
Recent insights
-
Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Testing, Blue Origin, Engineering, ESCAPADE Mission, Launch Vehicle Engineering, New Glenn, Rocket Reliability, Strain Measurement, structural health monitoring, Structural TestingHow Pre-Launch Structural Testing Ensures Mission Success
When Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully launched NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars, it marked a historic step forward for commercial launch technology — and a testament to the unseen engineering that happens long before a vehicle ever reaches…
-
6D Testing & Analysis, Accelerometers, data acquisition systems, design validation, Engineering, engineering measurement, experimental modal analysis, impact hammer testing, mechanical engineering, modal testing, structural dynamics, Structural Testing, vibration testingFree Engineering Guide: How to Perform Experimental Modal Analysis for Better Structural Insight
Understanding how structures vibrate—and why—is essential across nearly every engineering discipline. Whether you’re working on rotating machinery, industrial equipment, robotics, medical devices, heavy vehicles, consumer products, or building-scale…
-
AWS IoT Analytics, cDAQ-9189, Channel Synchronization, CompactDAQ, Condition-Based Maintenance, Edge-to-Cloud High-Channel Datalogging, Engineering, Instrumentation, iTestSystem, iTestSystem Automated Analytics, iTestSystem Notification Service, NI-9236, NI-9469, Strain, Stress, structural health monitoringHigh Channel Count Synchronous Datalogging
When a manufacturer needed to validate the structural performance of a 38-ton on-highway vehicle, ITM deployed a 200+ channel synchronous datalogging system capable of capturing accelerometer, strain, GPS, and speed data at nearly 2 kS/s per channel…