Fundamentals of Data Collection & Instrumentation – 27 February 2024, MIRA Technology Institute
This seminar offers a comprehensive exploration of data collection and instrumentation, making it a must-attend event for engineers seeking to enhance their knowledge and expertise. The seminar covers various aspects of data collection, from understanding sensor technologies to practical applications in the industry. It provides an essential understanding of sensor types, locations, and specifications, enabling engineers to make informed choices. Attendees will gain valuable insights, practical knowledge, and a foundational understanding of the tools and techniques necessary for precise data collection and instrumentation in their respective fields.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Sensor Technologies - Andrew Ramage, Techni Measure
This presentation provides a comprehensive introduction to sensors used within engineering testing, for measuring parameters such as strain, vibration/acceleration, displacement, pressure, temperature, attitude/location and profile/geometry. It delves into the principles, installation considerations and applications of each sensor category, offering a foundational understanding of the role and use of sensors in modern engineering.
Transducer Validation and Verification: Do You Believe the Squiggly Lines? Gavin James, HORIBA MIRA
How do we ensure that we have confidence in vehicle setup before we begin to collect data? This presentation looks at best practice when selecting and installing transducers, the checks carried out prior to installation to ensure the ‘system’ including the DAS is operating correctly and polarities and sensitivities are correct. It also looks at the benefits of a Transducer Electronic Datasheet (TED) chip installed in transducers. How to optimise sample rates and filtering aligned to transducer specifications and how to carry out a vehicle shakedown’ or dynamic check on the vehicle.
Instrumented Vehicle Suspension Demonstration - George Foot & Harry Beale, HORIBA MIRA
The demonstration uses a simple vehicle suspension rig, instrumented with various transducers to highlight difficulties in collecting Road Load Data. The rig can be used to show how inaccuracies or errors may occur from improper installation of transducers. It can also be used to demonstrate additional issues that arise due to vehicle geometry and packaging when fitting transducers.
Accelerometers - The What, Why, Where, When and How? - Selecting and Using Accelerometers - Marc Brown, Vibration Research
What to look for when selecting accelerometers? Depending on the environment and the type of measurement you require, the diversity of accelerometers can be overwhelming. This presentation should guide you through the process of selecting the right accelerometer for either your field measurements or for use in your laboratory tests.
The Rise and Rise of the Humble Strain Gauge - Anton Chittey, Vishay Measurements Group
Since the invention of the foil strain gauge in the 1950s this humble sensor underpins virtually all industries where accurate measurements are essential. Despite many new technologies they are still the best (and often only) sensor that does it all! Strain measurements for stress analysis, computer model (FEA) analysis correlation, and force, weight and torsion measurements are all possible to the highest degree of accuracy, repeatability and reliability. Almost every aspect of our modern lifestyle has a strain gauge hidden from view, producing data for efficiency, safety, improved designs, lighter and innovative materials, better healthcare, and cheaper holidays!
Feeling the Pressure – A Guide to Pressure Mapping - Shak Jamil, QUAD I
This presentation delves into the fascinating realm of pressure mapping, a cutting-edge technology that transforms surface interactions into actionable data. Explore the intricacies of how pressure sensors create detailed maps, offering valuable insights into force distribution. From medical applications to ergonomic design, enhancing precision and efficiency in various fields.
Vibration Analysis and Validation Using Video – Benjamin Vonrhein, gfai tech
High-speed cameras enable non-contact, high-resolution vibration measurements. Each video pixel acts as a vibration sensor, allowing simultaneous measurement of many positions. Advanced optical flow and AI algorithms now analyse vibrations at sub-pixel resolution without prior treatment. Processing time waveforms reveals imperceptible vibrations, while frequency domain data yields operating deflection shapes. The session will cover cross-validation with conventional methods, share measurement data and results, discuss acquiring optimal video source data, and explore the method's advantages and limitations.
How Do You Get It? Data Acquisition Systems and Sensors – Set Up and Operating Methods - Adrian Weeks, Strainsense
Data acquisition systems and sensors are used to record data in various applications. Sensors produce analogue signals that are converted into a digital format for processing and analysis. Sensors need to accurately measure the physical phenomenon whilst having no influence on the measurement. Sensor signals need to be recorded synchronously with sample rates sufficient to analyse the unit under test‘s behaviour. Multiple signal types can be recorded in a data set including voltage, current, strain gauges, potentiometers, thermocouples. Data buses including vehicle CAN, GPS and IMUs can also be recorded along with video and sound. Sensor data can be scaled from the raw signals measured to engineering units. Data acquisition systems need to be qualified for use in the test environment, including shock and vibration qualification, EMC compatibility and temperature range. Data can be recorded continuously or triggered by events such as exceeding limits. Recorded data is displayed numerically or graphically in real time and in post processing, or analysed statistically. This presentation will describe data acquisition systems and sensors, and run through key features and operating methods.
Andrew Ramage, Techni Measure
Andrew graduated from University of Southampton with MEng (hons) Aeronautics & Astronautics in 2001, initially following a career in helicopter design with Leonardo, holding various engineering roles including system safety, aerodynamics, flight test, research & development and project engineering. In 2015 he became a Director & co-owner of Techni Measure, supplying many different types of sensor for engineering testing applications, including accelerometers. In 2018 he co-founded Quad I to offer measurement & testing services alongside Techni Measure.
Marc Brown, Vibration Research
Marc has over 30 years of experience working in UKAS accredited vibration test facilities across the UK and is currently an applications engineer working for Vibration Research. He started his career as an apprentice at British Aerospace but has since worked within environmental and vibration testing laboratories across the globe in industries including aerospace, defence and automotive as well as commercial test facilities. He has been involved with testing products ranging from precision inertial navigation systems to large ISO containers using some of the smallest and largest shaker systems available in the world today. At Vibration Research, Marc is responsible for running all aspects of the UK Office including business development, technical support and training. Marc is particularly keen to promote new innovations and best practise in shaker based vibration and shock testing.
Benjamin Vonrhein - gfai tech
Benjamin is currently head of gfaitech applications, based in Berlin. Holding a degree in acoustic engineering, he has acquired many years of experience in the development of acoustic camera products. He more recently has added structural dynamics measurement systems to the gfaitech solution portfolio, that serve many applications including aerospace, automotive, buildings and structures, rail and environmental control.
Shak Jamil, Quad I Ltd
Shak completed his education at the University of Manchester, with a specialization in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. After graduating, he acquired significant expertise in testing gas emission sensors. Upon joining QUAD I, Shak embarked on his career as an Applications Engineer in sensor technologies, working in the research and development as well as test and measurement fields. Over time, he advanced into a managerial role, showcasing his dedication and proficiency in the field.
Gavin James, HORIBA MIRA
Gavin James studied Mechanical Engineering with Aeronautics at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He began his career in 2019 at Horiba MIRA through their graduate scheme gaining experience in vehicle performance and durability testing and unmanned ground vehicle design and manufacture. Since March 2022 he has worked within the Road Load Data and Analysis department running data collection and analysis projects for various passenger, commercial and military vehicle applications.
Adrian Weekes, StrainSense Ltd
Adrian started his working life using data acquisition systems for aircraft system testing and carrying out data analysis. From there he moved into automotive and motorsport data acquisition system sales, supporting users with system specifications and software support. He is now the data acquisition product specialist at StrainSense Ltd, specialising in supply of mixed signal data acquisition systems and power analysers for both portable and test cell applications. He helps users with DAQ system installation advice and setup support to ensure maximum effectiveness of testing, often used with the company’s extensive range of sensors.
Anton Chittey, Vishay Measurements Group Ltd
Anton has worked with strain gauges for more than 30 years. In that time he has repaired and calibrated instrumentation, installed gauges and captured data on a variety of materials in many environments, including bone for evolutionary biology investigation, a hydroelectric power station, sea trials for a missile system, vehicle testing on a well-known test track. Presenting training workshops has been a key part of his career. Anton has also been a member of the British Society for Strain Measurement’s CERCO committee for several years which includes the role of examiner for the strain gauge installation certification scheme.
