Blogs
Ultrasonic Horn Vibration
Ultrasonic Horn Vibration Research & Development Ultrasonic Horn Vibration Amplitude Description An "ultrasonic horn" is the device which concentrates this energy and applies it to a process. They come in many different sizes and configurations depending on the task for which they are designed. As the tip of the horn (or contraction area) is brought in contact with a part at a certain pressure, frictional heat is generated causing the material to plasticize locally, creating an insoluble connection between two parts within a very short period of time. As the [...]
Tolerances of Armature Gaps
Tolerances of Armature Gaps Power Generation Tolerances Of Armature Gaps Tolerances Description Introduction In large motors and generators, the air gap needed to separate the revolving rotor from the stator should be as small as possible as this reduces the magnetizing power requirement. The gap also needs to be large enough to prevent contact between the two, despite manufacturing tolerances on their dimensions or movement resulting from mechanical deflection or looseness in supporting bearings. The gap should also be uniform; a non-uniform gap causes increased noise and vibration. Since large [...]
Exploration Of The Elastic Region For Aluminum Alloys
Exploration Of The Elastic Region For Aluminum Alloys Research & Development Exploration Of The Elastic Region For Aluminum Alloys Bending, Tensile and Compression Description One of the most important properties of metals is their elastic characteristics, defined as the allowable deformation in a given direction from which the metal can return to its original configuration, once the load is removed. Deforming a common aluminum alloy within the elastic region will illustrate this. Relevant formulas and charts will show how to use these metals safely in a variety of industrial applications. [...]
Blade Tip Clearance
Blade Tip Clearance Power Generation Blade Tip Clearance Tolerances Description Introduction Large turbines are periodically torn down, inspected, and rebuilt. Turbine blade clearance to the case is one of the most critical measurements. Too close and the blades could expand and the turbine could be destroyed, too far away and efficiency is lost and power is sacrificed. This makes it vital to know the actual blade tip clearance. The inquiry A large multinational company approached MTI Instruments to provide a capacitive sensing system that could inspect blade tip clearance through [...]
Vibration / Balancing
Power Generation Vibration / Balancing Amplitude Description
Generator Pole Gap Analysis
Power Generation Generator Pole Gap Analysis Tolerances Description
Grinding Process
Grinding Process Automotive Grinding Process Surface Description A cylindrical grinding process finishes most wheel spindle surfaces. It is essential that this grinding process leave a surface finish that is smooth and free of defects with minimal runout. No grinder produces a perfect surface. Grinder wheel runout, improperly dressed wheels and fixture vibrations can cause chatter on the spindle surface finish. Chatter is a series of microscopic, repetitive imperfections, or waves, in the surface of the material being machined. The required production environment sensor must have small spatial resolution, high frequency [...]
Spindle Run Out
Spindle Run Out Automotive Spindle Run Out Distance Description Rotating targets frequently have an intermittent, uncertain or nonexistent ground path. This introduces unwanted noise, instability, drift and reduces accuracy of the measurement. MTI Instruments offers a unique "Push-Pull" capacitance measurement system that does not require a grounded target. It utilizes two probes, built into one body, that work together to complete the ground path. One probe pushes current into the brake rotor while the adjacent probe pulls the current out. The result is a "clean", consistent electrical sensing path. As [...]
Thread Checking
Automotive Thread Checking Presence/Absence Description Manual thread inspection is slow, not always reliable and tedious for the inspector. Manufacturers have struggled to come up with ways to reliably automate the process at a reasonable cost. Automated systems are available that use “screw sensors” can quickly wear or be cross threaded, requiring operator attention and a tooling change. A worn screw can provide false rejections leading to the unnecessary scrapping of parts. Capacitance solutions are cost effective alternative which are becoming increasingly popular due to their high reliability and fast [...]
Piezo Stage Positioning
Piezo Stage Positioning Consumer Electronics Piezo Stage Positioning Description Positioning stages using piezoelectric stack actuators (PEA) have very high resolution. However, it is difficult to achieve precise dynamic motion tracking using traditional linear controllers such as PID due to the inherent hysteresis nonlinearity of piezoelectric materials and the phase lag associated with such controllers. Capacitance Sensors are ideal for measuring the actual piezo stage position and correcting for the inherent nonlinearity through closed loop feedback. They have the stability, bandwidth and high resolution needed to do the job. Several of [...]