Vibration testing generates a plethora of data for the engineer to sort through. They must analyze initial component tests, field recordings, failure runs, etc., and potentially develop new tests from the data. Signal analysis software is necessary for vibration testing engineers that want to do more than generate a report of their data.
Signal analysis software like ObserVIEW provides the tools for engineers to view, analyze, and edit waveforms. They can use these tools to identify component fatigue, diagnose failure modes, understand the field environment, create realistic test profiles, and much more. The software opens opportunities for process and product improvement.
ObserVIEW is a powerful and efficient signal analysis software with specialized modules for waveform recording and test generation. Below, we present five of the many reasons to download the ObserVIEW software.
1. Compatibility
Users can analyze files from any data acquisition system in ObserVIEW. The text import feature supports most text and CSV files, allowing engineers to apply the powerful features of ObserVIEW regardless of hardware.
For current Vibration Research (VR) customers, ObserVIEW connects to all Vibration Research I/O units. Any customer with VR hardware can download the software and access additional licensed tools unique to ObserVIEW, such as spectrogram analysis, Modal Testing, and Sine Tracking, Analysis and Generation (STAG).
Engineers typically use ObserVIEW with the ObserVR1000 dynamic signal analyzer. VR designed this hardware and software in tandem to collect, analyze, and report test data from the field. They are tightly integrated for swift and reliable data acquisition.
VR Mobile setup.
2. Live Stream of Data
With the Live Analyzer feature, engineers do not have to wait until post-process to begin data analysis. They can pause a live stream to select, analyze, and export a section of the time waveform for further post-process analysis or comparison. Then, they can resume the data feed without losing any data that occurred while paused.
Live Analyzer can record live data to a disk in addition to a rolling memory buffer.
Live Analyzer provides live feedback and immediate response. Users can also apply ObserVIEW graphing packages such as a PSD and FFT during analysis. Any customer with a current U&SA agreement has access to Live Analyzer. The purchase of VR hardware includes one free year of U&SA.
Live Analyzer is available in the ObserVIEW software and VR Mobile when connected to any Vibration Research I/O unit. Learn more about Live Analyzer.
3. Data Editing
In ObserVIEW, engineers can open, view, and edit time-history waveforms. They can narrow in on areas of interest and crop, copy, cut, and paste sections, and append compatible files. From there, they can:
- Add multiple graph views such as FFT, PSD, and spectrogram
- Playback the data on the graphs
- Add cursors, such as max, min, and RMS
- Copy-and-paste graph images and data
- Add math functions
- Generate a report or export the file
Editing waveforms allows engineers to focus on events of interest and analyze and report on pertinent data. ObserVIEW processes data changes quickly for ease of use.
4. Multimedia Sync and GPS Map Plotting
Multimedia Sync plays video or audio files alongside a recorded waveform. The tool syncs the file(s) and waveform recording so users can view the playback together, providing valuable information about the events that occurred during a recording, including the identification of events that led to resonance or failure. They can then extract images for a report.
Multimedia Sync is available with an advanced analyzer license. Learn more about Media Sync. With the basic analyzer package, the user can open a map view with associated GPS data markers. They can view the data as a map (MapVIEW) or in satellite view.
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5. Advanced ObserVIEW Features
The demo software is the most current operational software. However, ObserVIEW also includes advanced testing features for purchase. VR software packages can be configured à la carte and can be adjusted at any time. Electronic keys activate the modules, and you can “rent” modules for short-term needs.
The advanced features in ObserVIEW include:
- Advanced analysis
- Octave analysis
- Modal testing
- STAG
- FDS
- And more
Advanced Analysis
The Advanced license includes tools for resampling, filtering, and advanced data analysis, as well as Multimedia Sync. The additional graphing capabilities include coherence, transfer function, cross-spectral density, and transmissibility. It also includes power spectral density and time/frequency spectrograms.
Modal Testing
The Modal Testing module collects data from an impact hammer to help identify a structure’s response to excitation. The average response is calculated for each hit location to generate a smooth transfer function (frequency response function). From there, the data can be exported to a modal analysis software such as MEscope.
STAG
With Sine Tracking, Analysis and Generation (STAG), engineers can analyze field data with dominant rotational or sinusoidal components and generate a Sine-on-Random (SoR) test reflective of the real world. It is a highly automated tool that replicates dominant sinusoidal vibration and its orders as well as produces more consistent results than other SoR test development methods.
FDS
The FDS plot in ObserVIEW displays a product’s fatigue for a set frequency range. It is a visualization and analysis tool that shows the amount of fatigue damage a product will see whether in the lab or the field. The FDS helps engineers confidently design tests that will not inflict fatigue damage or reach the breaking threshold (unless desired).
Download ObserVIEW
Download the free demo of the ObserVIEW signal analysis software today and begin analyzing and editing waveforms straight away. Interested in learning more? Visit the software page.