“Keep it simple” was the guiding principle in the development of the first market-ready application for the iPhone for measuring and analyzing oscillations and vibrations. The name of the new solution by ACE Controls Inc. is VibroChecker and it supports users in determining the lowest dominant frequency up to 50 Hz. The app can then show which product from the ACEolator product offering by ACE may effectively isolate the measured interfering vibrations, e. g. from machines or other installations.
VibroChecker is the new ACE app for the iPhone, for the quick and easy measurement of machine and equipment vibrations as well as the suggestion of appropriate products for vibration isolation.
On behalf of the app’s development team, André Wessling, Global Manager Marketing of ACE Controls Inc., explains their primary task: “As many of our clients have an iPhone, we had the idea to use the motion sensor integrated in the phone to perform extensive measurements and analyses. Without providing a replacement for costly measuring devices, our aim with the ACE VibroChecker was to enable users to familiarize themselves with the field of oscillations and vibrations in a more playful manner than ever before. Even after the actual developmental phases of devices and systems, test and optimization processes can be quickly performed onsite without costs having to skyrocket.
Combining these technological possibilities with the selection of vibration isolation products by ACE Controls Inc. is yet a further stimulus of the new application for the phone bearing the Apple logo. ACE has managed to connect the iPhone’s “motion sensor/accelerometer” with an innovative software application to create a new and useful function for the user. The concept of such a synthesis, involving the creation of an entirely new customer benefit in an existing tool has now become a reality. The best and probably most popular such example is the integration of the text message functionality in mobile phone devices, which has led to the mass use of SMS services since the 1990s.
The operation of the ACE VibroChecker is almost as easy as writing an SMS.
The starting point for a measurement, and the respective subsequent selection of the appropriate isolation products, may be a vibrating source of interference. The ACE app can perform ideal measurements if the iPhone can be fully placed on the surface to be measured. Once the app has been started, four symbols appear on the display of the mobile phone. If the icon “Measure Vibration” is pressed, a new window opens and the measurement can start. The result appears within 15 seconds. The resulting values are the starting point for step two. Transferred to a calculation interface, the most important key data is then entered. Machine weight, number of contact surfaces and the desired degree of isolation are defined using the interactive and intuitive fields. The program then recommends a vibration isolation product from ACE Controls Inc.
Launched in 2013 and christened ACEolator, this further addition to the product range consists of extremely low-frequency isolating air spring elements, ready-to-mount rubber-metal isolators and the tried-and-tested insulation slabs ACE-SLAB. The low-frequency air spring elements PLM and PAL are also suitable for isolation measuring table, testing equipment and high-performance machines. Ready-to-mount rubber-metal isolators are predominantly used for engines, compressors and for example in transfer systems. And the standardized, custom-fit insulation slabs are mainly used for tooling and textile machinery for full-surface mounting or for the reliable use for individual, sensitive components, such as isolating elements, e. g. for the interim insulation of work piece carriers, as impact buffers and universally for machines that require subsequent protection. What they all have in common is that by reducing vibration, they not only increase product quality and quantity, they also achieve a considerable degree of noise reduction.
The ACE VibroChecker makes use of the iPhone’s own motion sensor to obtain measuring results and solutions for the isolation of vibrations in just a few easy, interactive steps.
ACE VibroChecker the free vibration app is now ready for the market
According to André Wessling, the developers of the app had to take into account that an engineer or technician generally needs to know the lowest dominant frequency interfering with the environment in order to optimally select products for vibration isolation. Respectively, the algorithm of the app is designed to accommodate a threshold of 50 Hz. He adds: “This value also represents the upper limit for our VibroChecker, as the iPhone sensor only has a limited sampling rate and can currently only measure up to 50 Hz. This value is sufficient for the majority of applications to be measured, for which we offer a solution with ACEolator products.” Bearing in mind that operational vibrations of approx. 50 Hz can occur for instance for a machine speed of some 3,000 RPM, can illustrate the high rotational speed of a potential source of interference. When using the VibroChecker it becomes clear that the original motto “Keep it simple” was met through and through. The three most important steps of the application: At first starting the measurement, secondly, executing the measurement on the basis of the results and key figures and, last not least, showing, reading and selecting the appropriate products for vibration isolation can be performed quickly and with good results. André Weßling closes with the following words: “This app gives our customers more than just a toy, but not an all-purpose measuring tool. When it comes to oscillations and vibrations in complex applications, we support our customers with our highly skilled technicians and professional measuring kits. Our app addresses those who would like to make use of free measuring support and to find out more about ideal vibration isolation products in just a few steps. As our VibroChecker is also very intuitive and easy to operate, we are very optimistic in terms of its acceptance within the market.”
ACE Controls
www.acecontrols.com
Filed Under: Wireless devices, ENGINEERING SOFTWARE, MOTION CONTROL, SENSORS
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