Vibration-Measuring Instruments Fundamental Considerations in Their Design

A general-purpose wide-range high-precision vibration-measuring instrument must embody several fundamental design requirements which determine the useful frequency range, the accuracy of measurement, the intensity of vibration to which it can be applied, and the effect of the instrument on the vibrating body. In this paper the advantages and disadvantages of certain mechanical and electrical detecting and amplifying systems for the measurement of vibration amplitude, velocity, and acceleration, are discussed in the light of their design requirements. A vibration generator capable of producing sinusoidal vibrations over a wide frequency and amplitude range, and a set of vibration standards with which the vibrations produced can be accurately determined, are also described. In conclusion, criteria for evaluating the performance of vibration measuring instruments of different types are suggested.