Polytec Magazine
//Welcome to our web magazine. Read through user articles, research reports and technology trends – and experience measurement technology from all sides.
3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometry for fuel-efficient turbines
Fuel consumption of aircrafts is a hot topic in the current discussion about global climate change. An important factor is the design of the aircraft engine itself. In order to reduce weight and build more…
A modal-based monitoring system
More and more, the increasing stress on infrastructures provides the challenge of investigating and evaluating the existing structures with regard to safety and the resulting remaining useful life. Reliabl…
A modern approach to germ-free food packaging
Since the 1960s, sterile packaging has played an important role in food safety. However, there has been little innovation since then. Chemicals and heat remain the most common methods for sterilizing food …
A new driving mechanism for acoustofluidics*
Acoustofluidics is the active manipulation of fluids as well as of immersed particles or cells at the micro- and nanoscale and is a key technology for life sciences. Acoustic waves, more precisely, ultraso…
Acoustic radiation of vibrating surfaces in electric drive systems
The growing electric and hybrid vehicles market faces new demands on product acoustic quality. The acoustical emission behavior of electric drivetrains is clearly different from that of conventional drives…
Analyzing operational deflection shapes on loudspeakers
Noise protection and control play a major role in both professional and private environments. Airborne sound measurements help identify acoustic paths as a means of noise reduction as standard testing meth…
Boundary conditions, measurement inaccuracy, and repeatability
MAN Energy Solutions offers a comprehensive engine portfolio, propeller, and stern equipment and turbochargers for the maritime sector. Reliability is an essential aspect of our sector and especially vital…
Celebrating the iconic career of Professor Rong Z. Gan
We had a chance to virtually sit down for an interview with Prof. Rong Zhu Gan. In her field, she is one of those personalities that needs no introduction. For the uninitiated, she is the George Lynn Cross…
Characterizing surface texture, roughness, imperfections and scratches
Optical polishing is a fabrication technique developed specifically to achieve minimal defects and smooth micro-roughness values. Polishing is a process that involves the use of free grains, usually suspen…
Complete thermographic solutions for safety and process control
Thermographic methods, whose typical false colour images visualise temperatures, are suitable for many areas. Their possible uses in industry are particularly varied during the monitoring of temperature-de…
Confirm flatness, roughness and step height – TopMap quality control on the factory floor
Consistently producing high-quality precision parts is better achieved when the supporting metrology is tightly integrated with the manufacturing process. By combining Polytec’s TopMap optical metrology wi…
Continuous fiber optic strain measurement
Some bridges in Germany are aging and not designed for today’s increasing traffic loads. Authorities must now find cost-effective solutions to manage these existing structures.
Controlling the length cutting of the trapezoidal sheet metal profiles
Significantly higher demands are being placed on quality and dimensional stability in the production of premium trapezoidal sheet metal profiles. A wide variety of different profiles and surface properties…
Decrypting the machine physics with the 3D laser Doppler vibrometer
Feeding technology is a key process in automated production. In order to develop feeding systems using simulation, the machine’s physics must be known. As a specialist in feeding technology, the RNA Group …
Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing for Geotechnical Monitoring
Stones, blocks, steel, cement, concrete, and mortar—combined with large, heavy, clumsy, and noisy construction machinery—hardly make an ideal environment for a fragile glass fiber.
Distributed fiber-optic temperature and strain measurement with extremely high spatial resolution
Sampling of the Rayleigh scattering along a length of optical fiber allows the realization of a distributed sensor system where every point along the fiber acts as a sensor. This novel method allows ...
Détermination des caractéristiques dynamiques d’un prototype de bec de bord d'attaque d’une aile d’avion.
The SADE project studied “smart” morphing mechanical elements of next generation wings, which was aimed at improving aerodynamic performance, fuel efficiency, as well as reducing noise and emissions in all…
Efficient process control using ProSpeed® laser speed and length sensors
Climate change is one of the dominating challenges of modern society and industry. Even though steel is one of the worlds most recycled materials, the steel industry remains the largest industrial emitter …
Expanded options for deformation tests in materials analysis
In materials research, digital image correlation (DIC) is an established method for accurately and non-contactly detecting deformations. This applies to tensile, compressive, and bending tests as well as i…
Experimental modal test with laser vibrometers
The validation of simulation models is an important application area of laser vibrometers. To do this, the geometric data from a finite element mesh is loaded into the software of the measurement system an…
FEM simulation and measurement validation of an ultrasound transducer
One of the workhorses of medical imaging is ultrasound imaging, often called (diagnostic) medical sonography. The advancement of transducer technology for creating the ultrasound waves is a very dynamic su…
Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors in Practice
Fiber-optic sensors are used in wind turbines not only for monitoring but also for control, for example, to adjust the rotor blades based on load measurements of the blades.
Fiber-Optic Temperature Measurement in Chemical Process Engineering
Conventional measurement methods quickly reach their limits when electromagnetic immunity, high measurement density, or chemically aggressive environments are required
Fiber-optic sensing in basic research
Friction clutches are used in millions of automobiles to transfer the engine’s torque to the drivetrain. However, the physical processes involved in frictional power transmission are still not completely u…
Focus sur la détection des impacts de micrométéorites
Avec la commercialisation croissante de l’exploration spatiale, le besoin en technologies innovantes devient essentiel pour les missions satellitaires et planétaires. La fiabilité des structures spatiales …
For permanently high screw pre-tensioning force and optimum corrosion protection
The surface properties of coatings and paintwork play an important role in many products, as they have a significant impact on visual appearance, corrosion protection and resistance to physical damage. Inf…
Frequency response function measurement using QTec® multi-path interferometry
The measurement of frequency response function (FRF) plays an important role for the dynamic characterization of structures. In most cases, the goal is the measurement-based analysis of a system or the det…
Gravity in the Lab
Anyone wanting to measure G needs an experimental setup capable of the seemingly impossible—detecting movements smaller than the diameter of an atom, triggered by pure “action at a distance.” The team arou…
How CSI technology retrieves superior topography, form & roughness measurement data
Read how the optical technology of Coherence Scanning Interferometry (CSI) analyzes topography, form & roughness, where are sweet-spots, benefits and applications compared to related optical surface inspec…
How fiber-optic temperature measurement helps develop Power-to-X technologies for the energy transition
Fiber-optic systems measure temperatures across fields, excelling where many sensors, compact size, and low thermal mass are needed—one 150 µm fiber can replace hundreds of sensors.
How shear shock waves influence perception
Haptic holography or mid-air haptics promises to bring virtual reality to life, but a new study reveals a surprising physical obstacle that will need to be overcome. A research team at UC Santa Barbara has…
How singing capacitors affect the audio experience in consumer electronics
Everybody enjoys good sound quality on a mobile device when watching a show or when communicating with friends and family or in a business environment. On the other hand, we cringe when something is off wi…
How surface metrology reveals the finest forensic details
Forensic science plays a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing scientifically based information through the analysis of physical evidence. During an investigation, evidence is collected at…
How to measure low-frequency acoustic communication of African elephants
A recent study published in the European Physical Journal Special Topics introduces a pioneering application of laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) to better comprehend African elephant vocalizations and their …
In situ damping measurements of spider webs
Spider webs are naturally occurring structures with amazing and very distinctive architecture, mechanics and dynamics. To predict the vibration damping response of a complete spider web structure, the damp…
Inertial shakers for modal testing
If you would like to test the vibration behavior of an object that is not vibrating by its own, you have to excite it externally. For modal tests both an electromagnetic shaker and a modal hammer are commo…
Inline measurement system for powder coatings
Powder coating quality depends on thickness and uniformity, especially at critical points. Photothermal measurement systems offer practical solutions for quality control.
Interview with Dr. Windmill about hearing of insects and laser vibrometry
Dr. Windmill from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow examines the hearing of insects. We talked to him about his research and the role that Polytec‘s optical vibrometers play there.
Interview with Prof. Dr. Albert Weckenmann about optical and tactile surface measurement technology
We talked with Prof. Dr. Albert Weckenmann of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, about the limitations of tactile surface measurement technology and the opportunities of non-contact methods.
Investigating vibrations of the human auditory ossicles
The human middle ear transfers acoustically-induced vibrations of the eardrum through the ossicles to the inner ear. Near the auditory threshold, the resulting three-dimensional vibrational patterns have d…
Keep healthy teeth with ultrasonic scaler using EMS Piezon NO-PAIN technology
In order to keep your natural teeth as long as possible and to prevent caries and periodontal infections, home-care methods like brushing your teeth and flossing are essential. Unfortunately, these alone a…
LDV based displacement sensor AFM enables more quantitative measurements
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a powerful and versatile nanoscale imaging technique that has revolutionized our understanding of surfaces and materials at the atomic and molecular scale. By enabling high…
Laser vibrometer based acoustic performance evaluation from -40° to 85°C
The increase of touchscreen interfaces in automotive applications leads to a visual overload of information that has serious safety implications. Haptic feedback technology is seen as an opportunity to imp…
Laser vibrometry is the key
The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa causes various serious diseases in a large number of crop plants. Among other things, the plant pathogen is responsible for a devastating disease in grape vines in Californ…
Laser-Doppler-Vibrometer set standards in the development of electric drives
Electric machines are increasingly being used as the primary drive technology in vehicles. The acoustic behavior of the drive is a key factor in the perceived quality of electric vehicles. Numerical method…
Manipulation of complex fluids with SAW-based acoustofluidics
Surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based acoustofluidics combines microfluidics with active microacoustic fields. This allows to realize numerous Lab-on-a-Chip operations, reaching from fluid manipulation includi…
Measurements using broadband piezoelectric excitation
The following article compares various forms of force excitation in order to determine the transfer admittances of mechanical systems using a gear wheel as an example. The objective is to analyze and asses…
Noise and modal analysis for quiet and reliable operation
The growth of the drone market is multi-faceted: growing concerns about national and border security drive the need for advanced aerial surveillance, package delivery services experience an increased deman…
Non-contact alternative to dynamic and viscoelastic mechanical testing in cartilage
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in the joint, is a condition that is afflicting approximately 14% of adults. Understanding the dynamics of the joint cartilage is crucial for research and for finding…
Non-destructive measurements for determining the performance of a CMUT ultrasound transducer
Fuel consumption of aircrafts is a hot topic in the current discussion about global climate change. An important factor is the design of the aircraft engine itself. In order to reduce weight and build more…
Observing cardiac fibrillation from a distance and yet close
Diseases of the heart and circulation are the most common cause of death - even before cancer! So we should pay a lot of attention to the health of the heart. But how? Everyone knows the rise of pulse when…
On self-supporting and self-aligning compact shakers
Artificial excitation is the basis for various noise and vibration techniques, from experimental modal analysis, over transfer path analysis, load identification, simulation model correlation, hybrid model…
Optical encoders as the reliable measurement system for pipe and tube production
The Polytec LSV laser velocimeter offers process control with utmost precision for the production of flat, round and long products based on laser-precise and repeatable measurement of e.g. tube speed durin…
Optimized manufacturing processes for optical free-form surfaces
The use of optical free-form surfaces allows complex lens systems to be simplified and thus made more compact and weight-optimized. In addition, the use of optical freeform surfaces enables the realization…
Overview of optical methods for surface metrology
For applications where tactile surface measurement techniques have shortcomings, non-contact optical instruments have been developed to overcome these shortcomings. Especially with the development of compu…
Photonic sintering enables high-volume production of printed electronics.
The printed electronics technology has moved beyond its pioneering stage, with initial industrial applications already running. While potential uses are diverse, turnkey system solutions that simplify adop…
Photothermal measurement method for opaque coatings and all common substrates
For many industrial products, the quality of coatings plays an important role. For example, the material thickness, color, gloss, or adhesion of one or more layers on a substrate
Pour un contrôle qualité plus efficace
L'automatisation du contrôle de production ainsi que des processus de mesure et des évaluations associés constitue un sujet central dans la technologie de fabrication moderne. Elle allège les tâches routin…
Precise layer thickness measurement without referencing
For many products, coating quality is crucial—such as material thickness, color, gloss, or adhesion of one or more layers to a substrate. Regardless of their purpose, measuring the thickness or uniformity …
Precision vibrometry on a self-excited, multi-cantilever MEMS structure
The excitation of a multi-cantilever MEMS structure by molecular Brownian motion is investigated by ultra-high resolution optical vibrometry. This novel approach to testing enables applications such as the…
Pulsed UV light against germs
Hygiene is essential in all areas of the food industry. This is especially true for dairy products like yogurt, which are highly susceptible to contamination by microorganisms and mold spores. These can or…
Single electrode transduction of contour modes in piezoelectric disk resonators
Piezoelectric disk resonators are designed to transduce specific contour mode bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonant shapes. Utilizing a unique property of lead magnesium niobite-lead titanate (PMN-PT) thin fil…
Sterilization by Light Flash
The success of sterile environments in the pharmaceutical, medical, and food industries depends on transferring materials in and out without causing microbial contamination
The role of vibrations in finding a mating partner in bees
In nature, females are often the choosy sex when it comes to finding a mating partner. In the red mason bee, Osmia bicornis, all the prerequisites for so-called female choice are given and we therefore inv…
UV Technology for a Wide Range of Applications
Bei Portfolioerweiterungen setzt Polytec auf ausgereifte, qualitativ hochwertige und technologisch zukunftssichere Produktlinien.
Using toys to investigate the complex physics of quasi-periodic metamaterials
Metamaterials are artificial assemblies of known materials in particular arrangements that result in novel properties not encountered in naturally occurring materials. Among many applications, they hold gr…
Vibration analysis helps to protect art
To organize traveling exhibitions, museums like the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico supplement their own collection with temporary loans from other museums and private collections. In 2017,…
Vibrométrie laser pour visualiser le retour haptique
Le smartphone a montré que les boutons peuvent être remplacés sans sacrifier le confort. Bien au contraire: l’affichage librement configurable avec commande gestuelle a facilité le passage d’une applicatio…
When to choose a laser Doppler vibrometer for vibration measurement
In the realm of vibration testing, a significant obstacle arises in the form of mass loading. The behavior of a dynamic vibration sample, or device under test (DUT), is profoundly influenced by the additio…
Xenon Double-Pulse Achieves Breakthrough in Photonic Sintering
Printed electronics are making inroads into the industrial application market. The technology used is well established, but not all applications can be realized with these conventional methods. The key rol…
Xtra 3D scanning vibrometry on rolling tires
Dynamic 3D operational deflection shapes captured with an Xtra Scanning Vibrometer help reveal the source of rolling tire noise. For a wide range of driving conditions, rolling tires stimulate a significan…