COMMENT CONTENTS


Front cover The publishers would like to thank Climatec Ltd, Dewesoft, HORIBA-MIRA, Micro-Epsilon, TÜV- SÜD, for the use of their images on the front cover of Climatic & Vibration Testing.


2 & 3 The Colour of


Creep Colour sensors are being used in multi-modal test rig for detecting wheel slip in rail research centre.


5 Early NVH Detection Axle vibration test rig helps automotive manufacturers detect NVH issues earlier in the design process.


6 Historic Bridge Continues To Take the


Strain Strain measuring technology is playing a crucial role in the reconstruction of a 90-year-old suspension bridge in Brazil.


9 Wing Tests Widen Envelope for Turkish


Flight Operator Turkish aircraft company outsources modal wing testing to predict wing flutter and increase flight envelope.


10 CVT Specialist Suppliers Information on Key Suppliers of Climatic & Vibration Test Equipment and Test Services.


12 Climatic tests could


encourage EV adoption Battery cell testing facility could play its part in helping to improve consumer confidence in the performance of electric vehicles.


15 Company guide A five-page guide to Test Houses and suppliers of test equipment and test services.


20 Acoustic Sensors


Toughen Up Car makers step in to help develop NVH assessment equipment that’s tough enough for the job.


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Concorde Publishing Ltd 100 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7863 3079 Email: cvt@concordepublishing.com Web: www.environmentalengineering.org.uk


Climatic & Vibration Testing Vol 2 No. 2 /// 1 The source guide for engineers, scientists and technicians


MEMS sensors aimed at wider market


A new range of 3D MEMS based accelerometers is being aimed at the connected automotive industry with a view to reaching wider markets.


E


ven if we’re not familiar with them, practically everyone has a MEMS (Micro-


Electro-Mechanical-System) based accelerometer in their pocket for motion tracking, step counting etc on a smartphone. The beauty of MEMS lies in low cost, compact devices that can be surface mounted on electronic circuitry and works very well down to 0Hz. With wide appeal in the consumer electronics industry, sales are strong and there’s money to spare for development costs. Now, one major player in the MEMS accelerometer market is


❱ ❱ Accelerometers using 3D MEMS technology target automotive industry


targeting automotive applications with its latest 3D MEMS technology. According to Murata, measuring in three dimensions requires 3D circuitry and the company has perfected its multi-layer wafer fabrication processes with low interference through hole vias (interconnecting tunnels) and sealed circuitry that can sense pressure, gravity, shock etc without being affected by other environmental factors. The company claims that the product set has the required features to enable them to be used in demanding automotive technology requiring 2-axis acceleration measurements and 360° vertical orientation such as Hill Start Assist and Electronic Parking Brakes. According to Murata, the sensing element and the measuring


application specific IC (ASIC) are environmentally protected with silicone gel resulting in improved performance and reliability during temperature cycling. The sensing element also features an over damped frequency response enabling high performance even in harsh and vibrating environments not usually conducive to MEMS technology. The choice of MEMS vs Piezoelectric or Piezoresistive accelerometers has so far been clear in most application requirements based on such factors as cost, size, reliability, frequency response and shock level. That polarisation of choice still exists in many cases with low frequency or static measurements, low cost and miniaturisation requirements favouring MEMS and dynamic high frequency or high shock loads favouring piezo. However, with the high levels of development investment in 3D MEMS technology, the grey areas of specification and choice between the two extremes looks set to become wider.


Jonathan Newell, Editor


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