Sensors with an embedded TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) chip allows EDM software to acquire the sensitivities and other manufacturing details of the transducer. However, the software can be empowered to do much more.
Performing vibration testing of large structures like airplanes can be challenging because of the demanding experimental setup and the extensive duration of tests. For the vibration analysis of such structures, an accelerometer is mounted on each of the measurement points. This approach saves a lot of experimentation time but increases the complexity of the setup and connections. The upcoming EDM Modal 7.2 release provides a solution.
Figure 1 Modal Testing of Airplane
In addition to reading the calibration values of the sensor, the EDM software can also obtain the DOF details of the transducer, such as component name, point id, and direction.
To read all TEDS together, click on the drop-down list of the Sensor tab and select Read All TEDS.
Figure 2 Read All TEDS
The TEDS can also be read individually by right-clicking on the drop-down list of the sensor column and selecting Read TEDS for the corresponding channel.
Figure 3 Read TEDS individually
Figure 4 Reading TEDS
Figure 5 Read TEDS completed
After the TEDS sensors are read, click Apply and save to implement the geometry properties of the sensors into the input channel.
This feature has several advantages and applications as discussed below.
The software scans the point id, component name and direction of the accelerometer and updates the input channel automatically which reduces the intricacies of multiple channel tests.
Enabling the software to read the location information of the sensor reduces the hassle of mapping out cables by allowing the user to connect the transducer to any input channel.
This flexibility prevents the error of connecting a different location sensor to a different input channel.
Thus, this feature significantly reduces the time and complexity of setting up the hardware and software.
However, this feature would only be useful if there are enough sensors to test the entire structure. If the sensors need to be roved, then the location information of the sensor needs to be updated and hence the advantages of this feature cannot be utilized.
To conclude, acquiring the location properties of the sensor in addition to its sensitivities and other manufacturing details greatly reduces the time and efforts of establishing the hardware and software for tests involving multiple channel systems. This feature also diminishes the complexity of the setup and hence prevents any error due to wrong connections.
To learn more about EDM Modal software, visit: https://www.crystalinstruments.com/structural-testing