Spring-Mass Module (Vertical Arrangement)

• The Spring-Mass module is a perfect tool for doing classic single and two DOF experiments. Natural frequencies for different mass and spring, with and without viscous damping, can be determined under free oscillations excited by initial displacement or velocity. Tests can also be done under forced excitation at various frequencies. The forcing function can be applied either at the base or the mass. The system response could be measured at one frequency at a time or over the entire frequency range by selecting the sine sweep excitation. The data is easily stored and plotted with the software data processing capabilities to obtain the frequency response function. With the multi-plot feature of the analysis software, the system response to controlled variables (k, m, and c) can be easily compared.
• Includes: Three springs of different stiffness, three different weight blocks, low frequency excitation system, PID control software.

Spring-Mass Module (Horizontal Arrangement)

• Designed to perform the experiments with spring-mass laid horizontally on a hard plate using ball bearings. This module gives an ability to do both free and forced vibration experiments.
• Includes: Hardware and mounting brackets for installation of one and two degrees of freedom spring-mass systems, ball bearing system for linear motion of masses.

Torsional Vibration Module (TVM)

• Torsional vibration issues are important in design and diagnostics of turbomachinery, internal combustion engines, and many other applications. The fundamental concept of torsional vibration is similar to the flexural and longitudinal vibration, but students often find difficulty both with calculations and the measurements. The VFT addresses both of these issues. The torsional vibration module consists of a stainless steel shaft, several rotors, a torsional viscous damper, and mounting hardware. The unit can be configured as one and two degrees of freedom systems for free and forced vibration experiments. It can also be configured with different rod length, diameter, and material to vary system stiffness, with different disks to vary the mass, and with or without a dashpot.
• Includes: Three rods of different diameters and three rotors of different mass moment of inertia.

Vibration Control Study Module (VCSM)

• The VFT is an ideal platform for not only to understand basic vibration principles, but also to learn passive vibration control. Students can even learn to alter excitation frequency, change resonance frequency by modifying modal mass and/or stiffness, and add damping to bring vibration levels to acceptable values. Students can also design tuned-mass damper to absorb vibration in a spring-mass system or on beam a beam using a leaf spring with sliding masses. The student can then hold the vibrating masses to transfer the vibratory motion back to the original structure. A complete kit is provided for the experimentations. The vibration control study module also provides a constrained layer viscoelastic sandwich beam to study the effect of viscoelastic damping in vibration control. This is a more advanced topic for graduate level program, but students can use this module to study the relationship between system damping ratio/loss factor and the damping materials, damping layer thickness and damping coverage, etc.
• Includes: Hardware and software for Tuned-Mass-Damper, one constraint layer and without constraint layer Viscoelastic beams, and two viscous damping setups-one for linear and one for torsional vibration control.

Beam Vibration Module (BVM)

• This module allows to study natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping in beams of different materials such as steel, aluminum, and plastic. The beam length is fully adjustable and can be configured as simply supported or cantilever (at either of the beam ends), and overhung. This adaptable mounting allows determining effects of various boundary conditions in real applications. Provisions to mount rigid masses at different locations and dashpot make beam completely customizable. Custom built force transducers can be mounted to measure the support reaction forces and determine transmissibility factor. External unbalance force of variable frequency may be applied to excite natural frequencies and produce visible mode shapes. The rotational speed is displayed digitally and a TTL pulse is available to trigger a data acquisition system or an external stroboscope. The amplitude of deflection during resonance may be measured any point along the length of the beam. By directing a stroboscope at the beam the user can clearly see the natural mode shape predicted by classical beam theory, including the second, third, and even higher order modes.The standard beam restraint fixtures accept up to 2″ wide x 1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/4″ thick bar stocks and offer fixed, sliding, and hinged restraint modes. Point, distributed, and twisting moment loading patterns can be applied. To add interest, customer designed beams or trusses may be installed for design competition and special projects. The VFT can also be used for a simple modal test and vibration control experiments. Students can perform modal tests by using a hammer or shaker.
• Includes: Three different beams (aluminum, steel, and plastic), mode shape animation software and shaker frequency sweep software for excitation of different modes, and three masses.

Vibration Transmissibility Module (VTM))

• Conduct tests to measure vibratory force/motion transmitted to the supporting structure at different frequencies of excitations.
• Includes: Once force transducer and signal conditioner, transmissibility software

Wireless Sensor Kit (WSK)

• This kit provides all the necessary sensors that you need to take the measurements while doing the experiments using VFT.
• Includes: Four single axis accelerometers, One Tachometer, Two DC response capacitive accelerometers for spring-mass experiments, one digital stroboscope

Pendulum Vibration Module (optional)(PVM)

• The pendulum vibration module includes a rod on which one or more mass can be attached. This basic module is designed to teach the fundamental principles such as frequency and period, and the concept of equivalent mass.
• Includes: One slotted pendulum with adjustable weight block and its anchor.