Multi-probe vibration analysis for reliability [assessment of vehicles]

An inexpensive multiprobe vibration analysis system was designed and fabricated to test the dynamic behavior of heavy trucks. The basic unit of the system performs vibration measurements, data acquisition, and real-time FFT (fast Fourier transform) to determine quickly major frequency centers and respective acceleration amplitudes for simpler vibration patterns, e.g. for smooth or negotiable ride. Rough or unacceptable ride requires more sophisticated vibration spectrum analysis to separate vibration signatures from several different vibration sources. For this purpose a modified cepstrum analysis is run on a laptop IBM PC AT which is connected with the system through a multiplier. Several tests were performed on a variety of Freightliner heavy trucks. The results of this vibration analysis system are particularly useful for truck design and service engineers due to simplicity of data presentation