Mechanical engineers validate designs using shock and vibration tests because, in the real world, products get dropped—and it’s good to know which components pop off of a PCB first. Whether it’s testing a custom vibration sensor or an antivibration feature, shaking a device under test (DUT) in a controlled manner requires large, expensive test fixtures and precision measurements. To get the data they need, mechanical engineers must:
- Rigidly mount the test DUT to a shaker table
- Connect accelerometers to the DUT and shaker table
- Provide excitation to power IEPE accelerometers
- Acquire data at a rate that meets test-frequency requirements
Expandable 8-Channel Accelerometer and Microphone Data Acquisition System
- FlexLogger™ application software for data logging manages sensor configuration, real-time data visualization, export to .csv files, and channel alarms, all without programming.
- cDAQ-9174 chassis holds up to four C Series modules and connects to a PC or laptop over USB. (Ethernet chassis are available.)
- Two NI-9234 sound and vibration input modules for eight input channels that sample at 51.2 kS/s/ch.
- Two open slots for future expansion or higher channel-count systems.
For Smaller Channel-Count Systems, Consider a Measurement Bundle
USB sound and vibration measurement bundles combine a sound and vibration measurement module with a single-slot, USB-powered CompactDAQ chassis for a rugged, portable measurement system at an entry-level price. Combine this bundle with FlexLogger no-code software for quick tests, or program with your preferred development software using drivers for LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, C#, and VB.NET.
Solution Advantages
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Rugged, portable system for setup in space-constrained labs
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Expandable system for adding channels and different measurement types
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Configuration-based software for sensor setup, UI design, and setting alarm conditions
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Synchronized, 24-bit, 51.2 kS/s/ch high-speed input channels
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Built-in excitation to power IEPE accelerometers and microphones
See a Demonstration of the Accelerometer Data Acquisition System
Expandable High-Speed Data Acquisition
The accelerometer data acquisition system combines CompactDAQ hardware and FlexLoggerTM software to simplify vibration measurements. See how the vibration template for FlexLogger helps take a simple RMS measurement on a blender.
“FlexLogger software makes it easier to troubleshoot and verify that the raw data from different sensors are correct before I start my test. This helps shorten test development by saving time typically wasted on redoing configurations.”
—Andy Tarman, CNH Industrial
BUILD YOUR SOLUTION WITH THE NI ECOSYSTEM
NI offers a variety of solution integration options customized to your application-specific requirements. You can use your own internal integration teams for full system control or leverage the expertise of NI and our worldwide NI Partner Network to obtain a turnkey solution.
The NI Partner Network is a global community of domain, application, and overall test development experts working closely with NI to meet the needs of the engineering community. NI Partners are trusted solution providers, systems integrators, consultants, product developers, and services and sales channel experts skilled across a wide range of industries and application areas.
NI works with customers throughout the life of an application, delivering training, technical support, consultation and integration services, and maintenance programs. Teams can discover new skills by participating in NI-specific and geographic user groups and build proficiency with online and in-person training.
See System Components and Pricing in the Product Advisor
Use the CompactDAQ advisor to modify the accelerometer data acquisition system. Add more accelerometer channels, voltage inputs, digital I/O lines, or additional sensor measurements for a customized validation test system.