Measuring impact using accelerometer.
Measuring impact using accelerometer.
(OP)
I have a setup where a high velocity ball is directed towards a metal plate, which has an accelerometer mounted to the other side. When the ball collides with the plate (assume elastic deformation), there is a large oscillation observed in the signal from the accelerometer, which eventually damps out.
Is there a method to correlate the velocity of the ball to the oscillations seen by the accelerometer? What if I place a thin material on top of the plate that plastically deforms when the ball strikes it? Does this correlation change?
Basically what I'm trying to do is to measure the velocity of the ball using an accelerometer.
Thanks
Is there a method to correlate the velocity of the ball to the oscillations seen by the accelerometer? What if I place a thin material on top of the plate that plastically deforms when the ball strikes it? Does this correlation change?
Basically what I'm trying to do is to measure the velocity of the ball using an accelerometer.
Thanks





RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
TTFN
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RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
I would go with the pendulum.
Fe
RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
TTFN
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RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
For a start the velocity of the ball after it bounces off will have a crucial effect on your estimates.
The way I'd do it is to work out the maximum energy seen in the plate, which might be very close to the bending elastic energy at maximum deflection, which you can get from the acc signal.
That is an upper bound to the KE of the ball, of sorts.
yes adding material to the plate will change the answer.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
Regards,
Lyle
RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
Greg: Are you suggesting that I measure the maximum deflection using the accelerometer? I'm afraid this isn't possible as the plate's mass is very large compared to the energy of the ball, and deflection is not noticable.
Lyle: I don't think I can do that because the net acceleration is zero, since the plate is clamped. The whole thing just vibrates without net movement.
Basically what I'm trying to do is to correlate the vibratory response to the velocity of the impact.
RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Measuring impact using accelerometer.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?