AMS introduces contactless vibration sensor
20/03/2020
AMS has introduced the laser-based optical Vocalzoom sensor, designed to measure and analyse vibrations, for example from machine parts, at a distance of up to 3 m without contact.With the sensor’s capability for continuous monitoring, the firm foresees applications in Industry 4.0, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and predictive maintenance.
Israeli company Vocalzoom has developed the sensor together with AMS to allow precise measurement of vibrations to be performed without the need for complex and expensive cabling.
For the application of the Vocalzoom sensor, which measures 15 mm × 6 mm, downtime for sensor mounting is unnecessary, as are certified machine technicians.
AMS claims it can measure any surface and any material – even very small, inaccessible or moving targets, as well as hot or wet surfaces.
For the monitoring of large areas, the sensor can also be mounted on a robot or drone and sequentially aimed at many targets.
The Vocalzoom sensor can detect vibration frequencies up to 6 kHz, as well as very slow vibration processes in an ultra-low frequency range. In addition, the measurement method is insensitive to ambient and background light or noise.
AMS also provides a Vocalzoom evaluation kit for quick and easy testing of the new technology. The sensor is housed in a closed case, which has a standard tripod socket (1/4" Unified National Coarse (UNC)) and thus allows the unit to be mounted on commercially available tripods and brackets.
A 150 cm micro-HDMI cable connects the sensor housing with the interface unit, which in turn provides a USB interface to a PC. The scope of delivery of the kit includes software with which the sensor data (speed and distance) can be recorded, displayed, analysed and stored on the PC.
AMS can also integrate the sensor into customer-specific assemblies and systems on request, including housing and mounting solutions, electronic components or interfaces, according to specifications.
