Micro-Measurements Debuts StrainSmart 9000 Data Acquisition Software

The Micro-Measurements brand of Vishay Precision Group, Inc., a company immersed in design, development and manufacture of resistive-foil sensors for high-precision strain and high-stress measurements, reports the global market launch of its StrainSmart 9000 dynamic data acquisition software. The software allows for the simultaneous sampling of up to 48 channels, at speeds of up to 50,000 samples per second, with easy setup and minimal-to-no downtime.

With StrainSmart 9000, it is possible to perform accurate, real-time data recording, analysis, display and export within minutes of software setup, with one-touch autobalance and post-processing data filtering. StrainSmart 9000 offers an intuitive turnkey Windows-based software platform for dynamic data acquisition, reduction, download and display.

The software translates end-user concepts into application-specific needs, with data accuracy through automatic error checking and calibration. A “verify” tool at setup allows the end-user to perform early error and omission pre-arm checks. Bridge excitation functions may be disabled for a complete pre-test noise evaluation scan. Visual representations provide instant access to hardware wiring and configuration validation data, with choice of either local or remote real-time display viewing.

Channel settings within StrainSmart 9000 are performed automatically from sensor properties, largely without manual intervention. Direct calculations of engineering units, including strain gage rosette principal and failure criteria stresses, along with input shunt calibration and user-defined assignments, are possible.

Sensor-specific input assignments of strain gages, thermocouples, and other sensing types offer ease of mathematical data manipulation. Individual strain gage engineering data entry is also possible, with automatic error corrections for transverse sensitivity, Wheatstone bridge nonlinearity and lead wire resistance. Parameters, such as thermal output, gage factor variation with temperature, and thermal coefficient of gage factor, are easily corrected via the assignment of a temperature sensor.

Signal visualization algorithms within StrainSmart 9000 provide in-depth insights, including full graphical representations of channel assignments, for reduced potential connection errors. Individual test setups and common parameters may be stored and saved by the end user for later reuse. Larger data sets may be exported to multiple files automatically, as either ASCII text files, .csv files or Microsoft Excel documents.

StrainSmart 9000 is designed for compatibility with the Micro-Measurements System 9000 data acquisition system, as well as Micro-Measurements and other industry strain gages (strain gauges), strain gage- based transducers, thermocouples, temperature sensors, high-level voltage sensors and piezoelectric sensors. The software is available as a no-charge upgrade for customers with legacy software versions. As it is site-licensed, StrainSmart 9000 may be installed on an unlimited number of PCs within the same facility or department.

Typical applications include experimental stress analysis; electronics drop testing; printed circuit board (PCB) and finished product component reliability and subassembly testing; engine vibration monitoring and fatigue life testing.

For more information, visit Micro-Measurements.

Sources: Press materials received from the company.