The Dytran 4600A1 VibraCorder is a compact, multi-channel datalogger specifically engineered for use with IEPE (Integrated Electronic Piezoelectric) sensors. Its primary function is to provide conditioned IEPE power to external sensors and to record the data acquired from these sensors. The device is capable of recording data for extended periods, up to 15 hours, making it suitable for various long-duration monitoring applications. A key distinguishing feature of the 4600A1 is its unique optical synchronization method, which enables multiple units to record data simultaneously when physically stacked on top of each other. This allows for synchronized data acquisition across several points without the need for complex wiring.
Usage Features:
The 4600A1 is designed for user-friendly operation, supported by a comprehensive software toolkit. The device is powered by a 3.7V rechargeable Li-Po battery, offering portability and independence from external power sources during data acquisition. Charging, time setting, and device information access are facilitated via a Micro USB connection.
Data Acquisition and Configuration:
Users can configure the datalogger's acquisition settings through the provided software toolkit. This involves selecting various parameters such as sampling rate, trigger channel, trigger type, trigger level, file size, and sensitivity units.
- Sampling Rates: Six different sampling rates are available, ranging from 100Hz to 25,000Hz, allowing for flexibility in capturing different frequency ranges of vibration.
- Triggering: The device offers several triggering options:
- Free Run: Enables continuous recording, started and stopped manually by the user pressing the "Record" button.
- Trigger on Level: Records events based on a predefined acceleration level. It captures 256 samples per axis of pre-triggered data and 10,240 samples per axis of post-triggered data for each event, saving them in separate time-stamped files.
- Trigger on Time: Allows the user to schedule recording to start at a specific future time (up to 24 hours in advance), with settings for hours, minutes, and seconds.
- Trigger Channel Selection: Users can choose to apply the triggering level to a specific channel (1, 2, or 3) or to "Any" channel, meaning the device will trigger if any of the selected channels cross the threshold.
- Sensitivity Units: Eight different sensitivity units are available to accommodate various IEPE accelerometers, velocity sensors, force sensors, and pressure sensors in both Metric and Imperial units. Users can set individual sensitivity values for each of the three channels within a range of 0.2 to 5000.
- File Management: The device breaks down measurements into multiple files of an approximate user-selected size (1MB, 5MB, 10MB, or 100MB). This ensures no data is lost during file creation, as an internal buffer stores information. Files are named generically (e.g., "TEST#001.TXT") or with a user-defined 4-character prefix (e.g., "abcd#001.TXT"), followed by a 3-digit counter. A maximum of 999 files can be created per recording.
- Time Synchronization: The "Synchronous time" field in the config.txt file allows setting the device's Real-Time Clock (RTC) from the microSD card. This method is crucial for synchronizing multiple units.
Operation Workflow:
- Software Installation: Install the "9007 VibraCorder" software toolkit on a Windows PC.
- MicroSD Card Preparation: Insert the microSD card into the PC. It is recommended to format the card before each use via the software.
- Configuration File Creation: Use the software to define acquisition parameters and create a configuration file.
- Device Setup: Insert the microSD card into the 4600A1 and power on the device. The "HARDWARE CHECK/READY" LED will blink, then turn green (or blue if waiting for a trigger event) if no errors are detected.
- Recording: Press the "Record" button to start recording in "Free run" mode. The "RECORDING STATUS" LED will turn orange. Press "Record" again to stop.
- Data Retrieval: After recording, remove the microSD card and insert it into the PC. Use the "READ VIBRACORDER DATA" tab in the software to access and view the recorded data.
Data Analysis and Export:
The software toolkit provides extensive features for data analysis:
- Data Visualization: Immediate data retrieval from the SD card to the PC. Easy cursor operation for data selection, zoom, and alignment.
- Data Manipulation: Buttons like "CURSOR HOME," "TIME ZOOM," "TO ANALYSIS," and "AUTOSCALE" facilitate data examination and event selection.
- Data Overlay: Multiple data files can be overlaid for comparative analysis.
- Snapshot: Data snapshots can be taken in JPEG format for any axis.
- Filtering: "LOW PASS FILTER" and "HIGH PASS FILTER" buttons apply specified filters (Butterworth topology) to the data, with user-defined corner frequency and filter order.
- Integration: "SINGLE INTEGRATION" and "DOUBLE INTEGRATION" buttons perform numerical integration, automatically applying a high pass filter to prevent data runoff.
- Oversampling: Performs non-linear interpolation to calculate additional data points, with user-defined oversampling frequency.
- Time Synchronous Averaging (TSA): Averages data in the time domain using a user-entered RPM value, chopping the data set based on frequency from the RPM window.
- FFT Analysis: Performs Fast Fourier Transform for frequency domain analysis.
- RMS Value: "GET RMS" button displays the RMS signal value for each channel.
- Data Export: Data can be exported to conventional file formats such as .csv, .mat, .tdms, .uff, and .sqlite. Users can choose to export all raw data or only the content displayed on the analysis screen.
Synchronization Features:
The 4600A1 supports two primary synchronization methods for multiple units:
- Synchronous Acquisition Start: Units are connected via a synchronization cable. All units are set to "Free run" mode, and pressing "Record" on one unit simultaneously starts recording on all connected units. Each unit still uses its internal clock for sampling, which may lead to slight drift over time.
- Synchronous Sampling: For precise simultaneous sampling, one unit is designated as "Master" and others as "Slave." Slave units use the clock input from the master via the synchronization cable or optical input. This ensures all units sample at the exact same time. This mode works only in "Free run" mode.
- Optical Synchronization: Each 4600A1 has an optical emitter on top and a receiver on the bottom. When stacked, magnets align the units, allowing the lowest unit's "Record" button to trigger all subsequent units synchronously. This method maintains ingress protection. Optical synchronization for simultaneous sampling is effective up to 10kHz; for 25kHz acquisitions, the synchronization cable is required.
- Hybrid Synchronization: The synchronous connector and optical input/output are hardware connected, allowing for a hybrid daisy-chaining mechanism using both cables and optical input/output within the same setup. The optical input is always on the bottom, and the output is always on the top.
Mechanical Configuration and Mounting:
The device features two 0.20" diameter mounting holes for secure installation using supplied 10-32 socket head screws. Alternatively, four embedded magnets on the mounting surface allow for easy attachment.
Maintenance Features:
- Battery Management: The device is powered by a rechargeable Li-Po battery, with a minimum continuous recording time of 15 hours. The system automatically closes the current acquisition file and shuts down if the battery runs out before the maximum file count is reached.
- Serial Interface for Calibration and Settings: The 4600A1 includes a built-in serial interface for calibration and settings. By connecting the device to a PC with a terminal application (e.g., PuTTY) and following a specific power-up sequence, users can access a configuration menu. This menu allows:
- Displaying current time and date.
- Setting new time and date.
- Displaying current offsets and calibration factors.
- Calibrating the unit using a 1g gravitational field.
- Setting calibration factors for each channel.
- Troubleshooting LEDs: The device provides LED indicators for troubleshooting:
- Orange light blinks: Indicates startup issues such as "Insert the card," "Config file contains improper settings," "Config file not found," "Config file corrupted," or "Incompatible card."
- Blue left blinks: Indicates file name issues like "File name overflow" or "Improper run type."
- MicroSD Card Handling: It is recommended to safely eject the microSD card from the device and format it before each use to ensure optimal performance and prevent data corruption.
The Dytran 4600A1 VibraCorder is a robust and versatile tool for vibration data acquisition, offering comprehensive features for configuration, recording, analysis, and synchronization, all within a compact and user-friendly design.
Need help?
General
To Next Page