Blogs
Vitrek Press Release: GaGe Adds New 16-Bit/14-Bit Resolution 2-Channel Models to its Razor Series of High-Speed PCIe Digitizers
GaGe Adds New 16-Bit/14-Bit Resolution 2-Channel Models to its Razor Series of High-Speed PCIe Digitizers Boasting Industry’s Best ENOB New RazorEdge Express 16-bit/14-bit digitizers support A/D sampling rates up to 250 MS/s, while new 14-bit resolution model option is added to existing 16-bit RazorPlus Express with 500 MS/s sampling rate; pricing reduced on 16-bit 500 MS/s RazorPlus/RazorMax Express models; providing best price/performance options aligning with user requirements Lockport, IL—September 6, 2023— GaGe by Vitrek, a US-based manufacturer of high-speed data acquisition and signal recording systems, announces two new versions of its popular Razor Series line of dual-channel (2-CH) [...]
Whitepaper: Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Productivity
Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Productivity This three-part article describes how manufacturers leverage capacitance-based inspection systems for semiconductor wafers. The article reviews best-practices, consequences of failing to inspect semiconductor wafers and benefits of using semi-automated, fully-automated and manual systems for wafer metrology and inspection. Part 1: Why Disc Geometry Matters in Wafer Production Semiconductor wafers are cut from cylindrical silicon crystals, or ingots. The flatness of these disc-shaped wafers is controlled to tight tolerances to ensure that the entire wafer surface is suitable for integrated circuit (IC) production. If disc geometry is out-of-spec [...]
The Cost of Failing to Inspect Semiconductor Wafers
This is the second of three articles in Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Profitability. The first article in this series explains why disc geometry matters. The third article describes the benefits of using semi-automated, fully-automated, and manual systems for wafer metrology and inspection. Most semiconductor wafers are made of silicon, the second most common element in the Earth’s crust. Yet, silicon’s abundance does not mean that wafers are inexpensive. The pure form of silicon that’s used in semiconductors does not occur naturally and must be refined and mixed with a dopant that alters material properties and electrical characteristics. Silicon ingots are formed, wafers [...]
Press Release: New Vitrek Website Presents Comprehensive Details of Company’s Test & Measurement Product Portfolio
New Vitrek Website Presents Comprehensive Details of Company’s Test & Measurement Product Portfolio Interactive menus provide easy access to products by type and application: test & measurement instruments, high-speed data acquisition & signal recording, metrology, signal simulation, and jet engine vibration testing systems. Poway, CA—August 10, 2023—Vitrek, a major manufacturer of precision electrical safety testing equipment, high-speed data acquisition and signal recording, and advanced metrology and simulation instruments and systems, announces the launch of its fully redesigned and expanded website. The new website at vitrek.com provides easy navigation of the company’s extensive product portfolio. Its intuitive menu [...]
Capacitance Probe Detects Water Contamination in Oiling Systems
Capacitance Probe Detects Water Contamination in Oiling Systems Industrial, Research & Development Capacitance Probe Detection of Water Contamination Metrology, Tolerances Description [Application Note 12218]  The adverse effects of water in oil are well known. Negative consequences include higher viscosity reduced load carrying ability hydrolysis (the formation of acids, sludge, and varnish) foam formation and air entrainment additive depletion corrosion on metal surfaces loss of lubrication film strength leading to increased wear cavitations filter plugging Problem As oil system reliability decreases, maintenance and repair activities increase. Corrective action must be taken [...]
Signal Generator Simulates Eddy Current Probe
Signal Generator Simulates Eddy Current Probe Industrial, Power Generation, Automotive, Power Generation, R& D, Solar Simulation of Eddy Current Probe Gap, Amplitude, Displacement, Positioning, Thickness Description [Application Note 31218] Non-contact eddy current probes can be used to measure the position, or position change, of conductive targets in real time. Typical monitoring applications include shaft runout and/or vibration. Probe setup requires an oscillator demodulator circuit. This circuit converts the probe’s magnetic field readings into output voltages proportional to the gap between probe and target. Portal signal conditioning electronics are then used [...]
Digital Capacitance Sensor Provides Closed-Loop Piezo Positioning Control
Digital Capacitance Sensor Provides Closed-Loop Piezo Positioning Control Consumer Electronics, Industrial Closed-Loop Piezo Positioning Control Positioning, Robot Guide Description [Application Note 40418] 21st century electronic manufacturing requires fast, precise positioning of miniature components. For many assembly lines, process control has moved from mm to micron, or even sub-micron, accuracy. Keeping pace with the demand for greater precision requires piezoelectric positioning actuators and/or voice coil motors with closed-loop feedback control. Challenge Traditionally, analog feedback from capacitance sensors has enabled the closed-loop control of conventional positioning stages. Harnessing the extreme accuracies achievable [...]
Vibration and Balancing Systems: The Spectrum Plot
Vibration and Balancing Systems: The Spectrum Plot Aviation / Aerospace Engine Balancing Vibration Description The Spectrum Plot: Types of Aircraft Vibration One of the least understood features of the PBS series of vibration analyzers is the spectrum function. The spectrum functionality is a more difficult function to understand, but once mastered, technicians can quickly develop an extremely in-depth understanding on what is going on in an engine during a test. Figure 1, below, shows a basic spectrum from the PBS system. On the x-axis is frequency, measured in Hz (per [...]
Closed Loop, Non-woven Conductive Film Thickness Measurement and Control Solution
Closed Loop, Non-woven Conductive Film Thickness Measurement and Control Solution Animation showing a system setup used to measure the thickness of thin conductive films such as electric vehicle (EV) battery electrodes. Description Learn how to measure EV battery plate thickness with MTI's Digital Accumeasure, a high-precision capacitance measurement system with nanometer accuracy and stability. Problem Lithium battery plates for electric vehicles consist of lithium ion compounds applied to either a copper plate substrate (cathode plate) or an aluminum substrate (anode plate). The plates are approximately 100-200 um thick ( .004 [...]
Dynamic Measurement of Armature Gaps
Introduction In large motors and generators, the air gap needed to separate the revolving rotor from the stator should be as small as possible. This reduces the magnetizing power requirement which 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 generators and motors are usually quite expensive, it's advisable to monitor the gap to prevent catastrophic failure should the rotor or stator expand due to [...]









