Video Capture is a new EDM Extension that works with IP cameras for vibration test monitoring and data acquisition. This feature provides real-time video monitoring and video or photo recording of the test process or any object of interest along with data acquisition. The Video Capture feature is available in EDM VCS (vibration control system) and EDM DSA (dynamic signal analysis) software for the Spider platform. Dome or box type IP cameras using the ONVIF protocol are supported by the video capture feature.

Tim Hsiao - Senior Product ManagerNovember 18, 2021Special Applications, Environmental Testing

EDM 10.0 Release

Crystal Instruments is excited to announce the release of EDM 10.0, the latest software version for all Spider and CoCo products serving advanced and fundamental industries in addition to furthering academic advancements.

Common-Mode Rejection Ratio

The common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) specification defines how well a differential amplifier rejects common-mode signals. A common-mode signal is the same (common) to both conductors in a typical two conductor connection (signal conductor and ground conductor).

Eric Carmi - Electrical Manufacturing EngineerJuly 28, 2021Special Applications

Watch how our products are designed and made.

Founded in 1996, Crystal Instruments designs and manufactures instrumentation products for machine vibration monitoring, dynamic measurement, and environmental testing. The products are developed in Silicon Valley and our modern lab in North Carolina. Crystal Instruments products are thoroughly tested on a variety of vibration shakers and environmental chambers in our lab during the design phase to meet the extreme requirements of military and aerospace applications.

Alias Rejection and Alias-free Bandwidth

There are two steps for converting an analog signal into a digital signal – quantization in time (sampling) and quantization of amplitude. Any signal that goes through the sampling process is subject to the effect of aliasing. The common use of the word ‘alias’ is used to describe a false name or identity, which is similar to how the term is used in signal processing.

Indonesian Power Plant Introduced Power System Stabilizer System using Crystal Instruments CoCo-80/80X Analyzer

On October 18th, 2020, a Bengkulu power plant in Western Sumatra Island successfully deployed a Power System Stabilizer (PSS) System and completed leading phase tests for Unit #1 and Unit #2 Generators, first of its kind in Indonesia.

The success of this project is a milestone for Indonesian power industry. The State Grid Corporation of Indonesia (PLN) highly praised the accomplishments of the engineering firm contracted to perform this test using Crystal Instruments’ CoCo-80 analyzer, and later awarded the firm with long term contracts.

NewsMatt Chen - Application & Sales EngineerOctober 28, 2020Special Applications

Spider LabVIEW Utility

LabVIEW is a visual programming workbench provided by National Instruments. It is used in a variety of applications for distributed testing, measurement, and control systems. When combined with powerful data acquisition systems like Crystal Instruments Spider systems, it can accept a wide range of inputs from a wide range of sensors to perform real time spectral processing. This combination also enables the deployment of large scale custom industrial and production systems.

Power System Stabilizer

Stability is an important part of ensuring operability of power generation systems. Large transients can cause power systems to become unstable and can eventually lead to blackouts. Power systems need to be designed to withstand large disturbances and maintain stability under changing operating conditions. Devices such as the generator automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and power system stabilizer (PSS) are widely used to manage these system instabilities. These control devices can be attached to power generation systems to help improve stability.

Walter Kemphaus - Product ManagerJuly 29, 2018Special Applications