Blogs
High Precision Portable Signal Generators and Calibrators: Everything You Need to Know
High precision portable signal generators are portable electronic devices that generate highly precise signals for testing, system calibration, sensor simulation, troubleshooting, and monitoring. Unlike the benchtop signal generators that are used in laboratories, these hand-held portable devices are designed to be used in the field. The best high precision portable signal generators are also rugged and NIST traceable, meaning that their manufacturer calibrates them to standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In terms of cost, high precision portable signal generators are more expensive than less precise, lower-end devices that can be held in the hand; [...]
A Comprehensive Guide to Non-Contact Sensors and Their Applications GalleryA Comprehensive Guide to Non-Contact Sensors and Their Applications
Application Notes-MTI, Articles-MTI, Brand-MTI, Industry-Sensors, News-MTI-Metrology, Products-MTI-Capacitance, Products-MTI-Laser/Fiber Optic, Products-MTI-Semiconductor/Metrology, Whitepapers-MTI, Z-REPUB, z1
A Comprehensive Guide to Non-Contact Sensors and Their Applications
A Comprehensive Guide to Non-Contact Sensors and Their ApplicationsSensors, both contact and non-contact, are crucial devices that allow the monitoring, detection, and reaction to conditions in an environment or within a process or piece of equipment. While myriad types of sensors exist and are designed to monitor varying conditions, all of them can be characterized as being one of two types — contact sensors and non-contact sensors. We’ll focus on the latter, diving into different technologies, types, and applications of non-contact sensor technology; but first, let’s explore what differentiates contact and non-contact sensors.Contact vs. Non-Contact Sensors: What’s the Difference?Measuring, monitoring, [...]
Exploring the Different Types of Aircraft Vibrations GalleryExploring the Different Types of Aircraft Vibrations
Brand-MTI, Industry-Aerospace, Industry-Compliance Testing, Industry-Government/Military, Industry-Manufacturing, Industry: Transportation, Knowledge Center-MTI, News-MTI-PBS, Whitepapers-MTI, Z-REPUB, z1
Exploring the Different Types of Aircraft Vibrations
There are two main types of aircraft vibrations: normal and abnormal. Normal vibrations regularly occur when an airplane is in flight and during takeoff and landing. These oscillating or reciprocating motions do not indicate potential defects with the aircraft or its engines and can be explained by routine operations such as flying through turbulence or extending or retracting the landing gear. With abnormal vibrations, a mechanical defect or condition is to blame. If this is not corrected, further damage and even catastrophic failure may occur. What are the causes of aircraft vibrations? The causes of aircraft vibrations include: engine [...]
How Capacitive Measurement Can Help Reduce Packaging Waste
Product packaging is often made of lightweight polymeric foams or plastic sheets and films. These materials are relatively inexpensive, but manufacturers still want to minimize waste and maximize yields. Across high volumes of low-cost materials, even a small per-unit savings can become significant, especially as the price of petroleum – a key ingredient in many polymers – continues to rise. For companies with environmental sustainability efforts, there are other important considerations as well. The excessive use of packaging materials can contribute to environmental pollution, especially with polymers that are slow to degrade. Yet, materials such as plastic sheets and [...]
Non-Contact Displacement Sensors for Detection and Measurement
Non-contact sensors detect or measure a physical property without making direct contact with the target, the object that is being monitored or measured. They are used to measure physical properties such as thickness, proximity, displacement, or distance. To obtain readings, non-contact displacement sensors emit a form of energy and may use capacitance, fiber optic, or laser triangulation technologies. By contrast, contact sensors must touch the target and often rely upon mechanical movement. Non-Contact Sensors vs. Contact Sensors Non-contact sensors are faster, especially for applications with high sampling rates, and won’t dampen the motion of a target. They can also [...]
Advantages of Measuring Semiconductor Thin Film Thickness with Capacitance GalleryAdvantages of Measuring Semiconductor Thin Film Thickness with Capacitance
Application Notes-MTI, Brand-MTI, Industry-Compliance Testing, Industry-Electronics, Industry-Manufacturing, Industry-R&D, Industry-Semiconductor, Industry-Semiconductor-MTI, Industry-Sensors, Products-MTI-Capacitance, Products-MTI-Laser/Fiber Optic, Products-MTI-Semiconductor/Metrology, Z-REPUB, z1
Advantages of Measuring Semiconductor Thin Film Thickness with Capacitance
Semiconductor Thin Films: Measuring Thickness with Capacitance In the semiconductor industry, thin films are deposited onto silicon and other wafer materials one atomic layer at a time. The thickness of these extremely thin coatings is important because thin-film thickness affects the wafer’s electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. With semiconductors, either conductive metallic films or non-conductive metal oxide films are deposited. There are two main thin-film coating methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD), both of which use a variety of processes. Because the coatings for semiconductor wafers are so thin, thickness measurement require a high degree [...]
How Often Should Vibration Analysis Be Performed?
How Often Should Vibration Analysis Be Performed? Once a customer takes delivery of a PBS system and learns how to use it, the next logical question is: “How often should we use it?” At a minimum, your approved maintenance program (whether it’s a program developed by your operation, or the maintenance procedures outlined by the engine/airframe manufacturer) will tell you about the intervals at which to perform a vibration analysis. Usually, there is a procedure to specify how an engine vibration analysis and balance need be only completed when squawked by a pilot or after the completion of maintenance work [...]
Contact vs. Non-Contact Measurement and Linear Displacement Sensors GalleryContact vs. Non-Contact Measurement and Linear Displacement Sensors
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Contact vs. Non-Contact Measurement and Linear Displacement Sensors
Contact vs. Non-Contact Measurement and Linear Displacement Sensors Linear displacement sensors are used to measure the distance between two points or two plane surfaces. They use various technologies, but there are two basic types: contact and non-contact. As their names suggest, contact sensors make physical contact with the object that is being measured and non-contact sensors do not. This is an obvious but important difference, but there is much more to consider. Non-contact measurement is faster than contact measurement, especially for applications with high sampling rates. Because contact-type devices must touch and then traverse the object, measurement is slower. [...]
Capacitance Sensors vs. Eddy Current Sensors Application Note
Capacitance Sensors vs. Eddy Current Sensors Application Note Capacitance sensors and Eddy current sensors are both used for non-contact measurements. Capacitive probes use electric fields to measure the distance from the sensor face to the surface of a target that is typically conductive and grounded. Eddy current probes use an alternating AC current to induce a magnetic field in a conductive target instead. In turn, the induced magnetic field produces a back magnetic field that is proportional to the gap between the probe face and the target. In a recent application note, MTI Instruments examines the differences between capacitance [...]
Foam Density Measurement: Capacitance Sensors vs. Nuclear Gauges
This application note from MTI Instruments compares two technologies for measuring foam density: capacitance sensors and nuclear gauges. It examines the basic operating principles of each technology and explains why capacitance measurement is recommended for in-line measurement during foam manufacturing. Capacitance Sensors Capacitive probes are non-contact devices that use electric fields to measure foam density. In combination with a thickness value, a density measurement may be calculated. These probes consist of a capacitance sensor inside of a protective housing and are part of a larger measurement system that includes amplifiers, cables, and software. With parallel plate capacitance, the capacitance probe [...]