First shipments for PDA vibration analyser

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 24, 2006

PDA-based vibration spectrum analyser provides open, non-proprietary desktop PC software built on a foundation of Microsoft Excel.

Datastick Systems has announced its first customer shipment of the VSA-1212 vibration spectrum analyser, a PDA-based vibration analyser to provide open, non-proprietary desktop PC software built on a foundation of Microsoft Excel.

Michael Scandling, Datastick VP of Marketing, announced shipments to the USA, Europe and South America from the company's headquarters in Silicon Valley.

The system includes the VSA-1212 module that attaches securely to select PDAs running Palm OS, Spectrum handheld software that collects and stores vibration measurements while displaying them in time waveforms and FFT spectra complete with alarm levels, and DRS reporting system software for PCs, which is based on Excel.

Vibration data from the PDA exports to the PC with one press of a button and loads into the DRS workbook on the PC with two mouse-clicks.

The VSA-1212 module is designed to use standard ICP-type industrial accelerometers.

The Spectrum software that runs on the PDA places all the vital waveform or FFT spectral information on one screen.

Data can be shown in terms of acceleration, velocity or displacement.

Versatile cursor-point tools enable precise zooming and numerical readout of any data point, and can show the relationship between any two data points.

An add-note feature lets the user attach written observations to individual waveform or spectrum captures.

"The VSA-1212 will enable more companies to take advantage of the cost-saving and efficiency benefits of routine machine condition monitoring in predictive maintenance" said Scandling.

"It's also an excellent, easily affordable troubleshooting device for field service technicians and organisations".

"Until now, there have been two barriers to wider use of vibration analysers - initial cost, and the perception that you have to be a vibration expert to use them".

"The VSA-1212 breaks down both these barriers".

"There are a number of vibration analysers on the market that contain huge databases of machine faults and elaborate artificial intelligence systems to guide the user to perform the appropriate maintenance steps".

"Unfortunately, for many users, these systems also have very high prices - some upwards of $30,000".

"Our basic system comes in at a small fraction of that price, and our completely open Excel-based PC software enables our customers to send vibration data to any consultant they wish for expert analysis".

"Rather than artificial intelligence, we offer our customers complete freedom to use what we call discretionary real intelligence".

"We don't lock them into proprietary software, which means we don't limit their choice of consultants".

Up to 22Mbyte of recorded waveform and spectrum data can be stored in the recommended Garmin IQue 3200 or 3600 handheld computer, enough to store data from more than 700 inspection checkpoints.

There are six selectable FFT windowing options and a selection of maximum frequency options.

Users can use alert levels based on ISO standards, or set their own.

BNC connectors connect with industrial-grade accelerometers, and a ruggedised case is available for the system.

"We are the first company to develop a PDA-based vibration analyser that uses standard ICP-type sensors," said Datastick Chief Technology Officer and President Steve Sabram.

"Our customers can leverage their existing investment in sensors, rather than purchase proprietary sensors to use with a PDA-based system".

Datastick CEO Penny Melrose said: "For added functionality, a user can detach the VSA module from the PDA, attach a Datastick DAS module for data acquisition, attach sensors for temperature, pressure, humidity and other factors, and have an entirely new instrument".

The VSA-1212 supports Palm Tungsten T, T2, T3, C, Palm M-500 series, Garmin IQue 3200 and IQue 3600.