MECHATRONICS LABORATORY

Experiment No: 4

VIBRATION MEASUREMENT
Aim: Measurement of vibration using accelerometer.
Objectives:
To measure different components of vibration, like displacement, velocity and acceleration.

Introduction:
If the displacement time variation is of continuous form with some degree of repetitive nature,
it is called as vibration. The need for vibration measurement has arisen due to growth of
environment testing. Most of the vibrations are sinusoidal displacements of the vibrating
member about its mean position. A vibration of this type may be defined by its amplitude and
frequency. The displacement is given by x = xm sin wt, where xm is amplitude
and w is frequency in rad/sec. Velocity is given by v = xm w cos wt and acceleration is given
by a = - w2 xm sin wt. A sinusoidal vibration therefore can be defined by specifying its
frequency,

plus

its

amplitude

or

maximum

velocity

or

maximum

acceleration.

MEASUREMENT OF VIBTRATIONS:
Acceleration can be derived from either the velocity or displacement. Therefore there are two
approaches for measurement of acceleration.
1. Measurement of either displacement or velocity and then taking their derivatives to
obtain the value of acceleration.
2. Measuring acceleration directly
Therefore the instruments used for measurement of vibration are classified into two groups.
1. Vibrometer

2. Accelerometers

The term vibration pickup or Vibrometer is currently used for detector transducer yielding an
output usually a voltage, which is proportional to either displacement or velocity. The term
accelerometers are applied to those pickups whose outputs are a function of acceleration
directly.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
I. Charge the instrument by using AC adapter. Full battery charging requires 10 hrs
II. Connect the sensor to the instrument
III. Firmly place the sensor on vibration source
IV. Start the vibration generation sources
V. Let the vibration be stable

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MECHATRONICS LABORATORY

VI. Measure the vibration like acceleration, velocity & displacement

VII. Stop the vibration source
VIII. Replace the sensor at different locations or at different axis of vibration and
repeat the above steps
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Ensure proper handling of instrument
2. Vibrometer is very delicate instrument; please handle it with utmost care
3. Ensure that the vibration generation source is stable and generates enough vibration.
4. Ensure proper and firm placement of sensor on the surface of vibration source
5. Ensure the instrument is fully charged.
OBSERVATION TABLE:
Sr.
No.

Description of Sensor
Placement

Acceleration
m/Sec2

CONCLUSION:

*****

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Velocity
m/Sec

Displacement
mm