Vibration Analyzers

[Kentt]

I'm in the prosses of purchasing a lab grade vibration analyzer. The chooses I'm considering is between the B&K Pulse system or the Data Physics Mobilyzer system. They both look rubust and have all the features I what. My question, are they equally as easy to configure, set-up and run?

Thanks in advance

ktb

 

[tomirvine]

I am unfamiliar with the Pulse system.

I used a Data Physics system a number of years ago. It was ok.

I recommend that you consider a system from LDS-Nicolet:

http://www.lds-group.com/docs/display_group.php?group_id=1

I have used several systems from Nicolet over the years. I currently have a Nicolet Vision 16. It is user friendly and has powerful features.

(Note: I am not a Nicolet salesman)

Tom Irvine

http://www.vibrationdata.com

 

[GregLocock]

We use Pulse and so far as I know like it well enough (I don't work in NVH any more), but since I have no experience with Data Physics I wasn't going to comment.

A good test is to prepare a DAT tape with typical data on it, then let the salesman try and analyse it and produce calibrated results. (He won't succeed, in my experience, but watching him try will give you a good idea of the usability of the machine).

Then let him take it away for a week and get him to do the same. If he is serious about the sale, and the machine is capable, then you'll probably get the results you wanted.

If not then you know that the machine will not be satisfactory.

Also see the FAQ for this forum, it has my random thoughts on analyzers from a few years back.

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[fwcatr]

I have been using the B&K portable Pulse system for sound and vibration testing for several years now. You can make it simple and low cost, or complex and higher cost, it all depends on what you want to get out of it.

I use my system in our flow lab and out in the field at customer sites. It is robust enough for everything I have thrown at it.

Any B&K sales engineer should be able to get you a demo unit and let you try one of their analyzers and software. You will just need a PC to run with it.

Fred

 

[Rob45]

I have experience with the Pulse system, and it works fine.

I currently use the Head Acoustics "Artemis" system with SQLab data acquisitionm, and it's a fine machine, very powerful, with a very intuitive set-up and control logic - fortunately for me! In marked contrast to the Nicolet system, btw, a loaner version of which I never could get to work reliably.

Don't rule out the new portable units from LMS, especially if you're doing primarily structural work, since their software links very well with their FEA software for predictive analysis. They have two such systems, and their "Pimento" system is handled int eh U.S. at least by PCB instead of by LMS directly.

What you may find, though, is that the unit that works best for you is the one that has the best training and support program, or the most-knowledgeable salesmen.
In that regard, I recommend Head Acoustics very highly.

 

[GregLocock]

Is the HEAD Artemis a general purpose vibration suite now? or is it still primarily a binaural analysis program?



Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[Rob45]

Greg:
The Artemis suite hasn't been primarily for binaural acoustic work for several years now, though it does that quite well. A very cool recent purchase for us is the microphone/headset for sound recording and playback; playback quality is fantastic, and in marked contrast to the Aachen head, you can actually drive the vehicle...

I don't have all the optional packages, but Artemis 6 (I've got a beta version) does data acquisition for modal analysis as well as complete order-tracking, CPB, and sound quality analyses.

In fact, I use it also for flow rate, pressure, and strain gage data acquisition - I just have to lie to it about the units involved!