Portable vibration analyser keeps costs down

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 4, 2008

The iPAQ supplies the computing power and 128Mbyte of data storage, while the Datastick VSA hardware module supplies the sensor power, Datastick electronics and interface.

Datastick Systems has released the VSA-1225 vibration spectrum analyser, its first product on the Windows Mobile/Pocket PC platform.

This PDA-based vibration analyser/data collector, which includes new version 1.8 of the Datastick Spectrum software suite,.

It enables lost-conscious companies to use vibration analysis in machine condition monitoring, predictive maintenance and routine troubleshooting.

The VSA-1225 consists of Datastick hardware and software, plus the Hewlett-Packard iPAQ handheld computer and one or more sensors.

The VSAT-1225 hardware module attaches firmly to a HP iPAQ hx2400-series or hx2700-series handheld.

The iPAQ supplies the computing power and 128Mbyte of data storage, while the Datastick VSA hardware module supplies the sensor power, Datastick electronics and interface.

SD (Secure Digital) memory cards (up to 2 Gbyte each) provide auxiliary storage.

The module has a standard BNC connector and a low-noise input that accommodates and powers almost any ICP-type piezoelectric accelerometer or ICP-type velocity sensor.

For the handheld computer, the Datastick Spectrum software suite includes Datastick Spectrum and Datastick Review software.

Version 1.8 of Datastick Spectrum software records and shows vibration FFT spectra in acceleration, velocity and displacement displays and a new vibration decibel display.

In addition, Spectrum provides time-domain acceleration waveforms and records and displays overall vibration with colour-coded ISO (or custom) alert levels.

Using Datastick Review, the customer can compare previous reads with the current read in Spectrum.

Vibration data is transferred to the PC by copying the data directly from the SD card.

The system includes version 1.8 of Datastick Reporting System (DRS) software for the PC, which imports the data from the handheld into a Microsoft Excel-based application on the PC.

Reports are created with a mouse click and since DRS is based on Excel, users can share data freely across a network or by email, or publish reports to the web.

"Datastick removes barriers that have prevented companies from using the powerful tool of vibration analysis to reduce unpredicted machine downtime", Michael Scandling, Datastick Vice President of Marketing said.

"The VSA is another tool in helping companies achieving cost savings while providing an easy to use vibration analyser that can be learned quickly".

"Customers who do not have in-house vibration analysts can send their data to the consultant of their choice because our completely open PC software is based on Excel".

The VSA module includes an extremely low-noise analogue input for standard ICP-type accelerometers and velocity sensors, optimised digital circuitry and a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery with optimised power management to allow the VSA-1225 to operate and power ICP sensors far beyond an eight-hour shift.