Issue #111, January 2017
Welcome to 2017! We hope that the New Year finds you well. Resolutions are often a part of January - in this issue of Dynamic Sensors & Calibration Tips, we offer you the opportunity to brush up on your knowledge in the areas of cables, sensor mounting, and acoustics, while demystifying some of the tougher aspects of a spec sheet. As always, The Modal Shop Team is here as a resource for all of your sound and vibration needs.
Driving Long Cable Considerations 
CableCapacitance
By PCB Piezotronics

When making dynamic measurements, sensor selection is important. But did you know that cable length and capacitance can affect your measurement, especially at high frequencies? This month's article from PCB Piezotronics reviews the basics of cable selection and even shares a method to test your cable performance.

Tip of the Month
Surface Preparation
 
To ensure accurate transduction in high frequency measurements, it is important to take care when preparing the accelerometer mounting surface. Specifications for the best high frequency mounts include: Surface Flatness of 0.0003 inch TIR, Surface Roughness of 32 micro inch, Perpendicularity of Mounting Hole of 1 degree +/- 0.5 degree and a Tap Class of 2. A very thin coating of silicone lubricant also fills voids, enhancing mounting interface stiffness and transmissibility for the best high frequency response.

Sensor Sensitivity
Blast from the Past:
Does a Manufacturer's Nominal Spec Matter?

One of our Dynamic Sensors & Calibration Tips newsletter readers recently sent me an email communication about a concern they encountered with some pre-owned 'Brand X' accelerometers which they purchased from an e-commerce website. The reader explained that the sensors performed "fine" in the lab, but...
Acoustics Seminars and Webinars with PCB

PCB and The Modal Shop invite you to join us for educational events in acoustics. From an "Acoustics Basics" webinar on February 16th, to full day "Microphone & Acoustic Fundamentals and Advanced Applications" seminars hosted around the United States throughout the year, there are many opportunities to develop your team's understanding of acoustic applications.
Thanks for joining us for another issue of Dynamic Sensors & Calibration Tips. As always, please speak up and let us know what you like. We appreciate all feedback: positive, critical or otherwise. Take care!

TMS 25 Years
Sincerely,
Aaron Goosman - Eric Seller -  Mike Dillon - Patrick Timmons - Shannon Henize

Calibration Team
The Modal Shop, Inc.
A PCB Group Company
calnews@modalshop.com
Engage with us:
Facebook Twitter Linkedin YouTube Behance
Technical Exchanges Quick Links
Jan 30-Feb 2
Garden Grove, CA

MSC
Apr 5-7, 2017
Anaheim, CA
PTB