Sine Monitor Analysis Response (SMART) Tool

The Sine Monitor Analysis Response (SMART) Tool is a powerful software utility available with all new APEX SL and APEX PRO Control/Analysis workstations. The SMART Tool not only provides the standard capabilities of a stand-alone sinusoidal oscillator, but also provides measurement and spectrum displays of the resulting vibration when driving the shaker. These features are extremely useful in establishing system confidence checks of the complete vibration test system, performing fixture and test specimen vibration surveys, troubleshooting system faults, and aiding in preventive maintenance.

Vibration System Confidence Check

At low frequencies, most structures exhibit no resonances, and therefore, all points on the structure vibrate uniformly. The SMART Tool can be manually adjusted to provide a low level, low frequency vibration amplitude at the test specimen. The vibration displacement can be physically measured quickly and verified with the displayed signals to confirm cable integrity, basic shaker/amplifier low frequency operation, signal conditioner operation, and sensitivity settings for all channels.

Troubleshooting System Faults

If the shaker system does not seem to operate properly, the SMART Tool provides a simple means to aid in locating and diagnosing system faults. By outputting a specified sinusoidal amplitude and frequency, the signal flow can be traced through the complete system (including power amplifier, shaker, signal conditioner, and any other connected instruments) thus allowing the operator to localize the most probable source of the problem in a minimum of time. Furthermore, the amplifier current and voltage readings with bare table excitation (as identified in the shaker manual) can be confirmed, thus establishing basic system integrity.

Fixture and Specimen Analysis

The SMART Tool can be used to drive the shaker system with a constant low level sinusoidal input and to manually sweep across a wide frequency range. The resulting acceleration, velocity or displacement spectrum at various points of the head expander or fixture can be simultaneously measured and displayed to validate the fixture design and fabrication. The resonances can be quickly and safely identified and the useful frequency range determined. The amplitude and phase response of the specimen combined with the fixture can also be graphed and saved. Transmissibility indicates the relationship of various points on the specimen. Saved data can be exported for modal analysis and structural evaluation by third party application programs.

Preventive Maintenance

The SMART Tool can be used periodically to perform a simple manual sweep, bare table, to obtain the shaker system frequency characteristics. The resulting shaker frequency signatures can be compared to previous measurements to identify any changes over time. Cross axis measurements can also be made. Changes may indicate shaker armature cracks, bearing failure, faulty suspension system, or other loose or broken parts.