A new version of VibrationVIEW (2026.1) is available for download. In this latest software release, combine hardware for vibration control, use virtual channels for force-limited vibration testing, access new automation capabilities, and more.
Multi-device Systems for Vibration Control
VibrationVIEW now supports any combination of the VR10500, VR9700, and ObserVR1000 for vibration control up to 512 channels. This exciting update gives engineers more flexibility during test setup and offers a solution for higher-channel-count applications.
Along with ObserVIEW’s ability to record data to Live Analyzer from a combination of devices, Vibration Research is helping customers maximize their hardware investment.
Virtual Channels
For aerospace testing and beyond, VibrationVIEW 2026 features a powerful new control capability: virtual channels.
Virtual channels are the result of a user-defined expression that combines input channels. They perform linear math in the time domain and can reference channels across hardware units.
Engineers can reference virtual channels when configuring notches/aborts in a Sine or Random test configuration, applying them in the same way as an input from a physical channel. VibrationVIEW identifies virtual channels as inputs, which engineers can use as a part of a control solution.
Virtual Channels and Force-limited Vibration Testing
A primary application of virtual channels is force-limited vibration testing (FLVT). The aerospace industry has defined requirements for FLVT, particularly for satellite testing. Accepted techniques help protect the test article while replicating vibration levels representative of real-world launch environments.
Time-domain force limiting is an FLVT technique that utilizes virtual channels. Engineers can use time-domain force limiting to implement effective notching, protect the test article, and generate force inputs that represent the launch environment.
New computational abilities were added to VibrationVIEW for vibration force limiting applications, including the sum of load cells (summed force) and overturning moments. Engineers can use virtual channels to apply a force limit to a calculation, referencing multiple sensors. VibrationVIEW can perform these calculations live, allowing engineers to apply the limits in real-time shaker control.
How to Apply Virtual Channel for Vibration Force Limiting
You can access virtual channels in the Inputs dialog or by selecting Configuration > Virtual Channels. User-defined virtual channels will appear on the Channel Notch tab of a Sine or Random test. You can apply a notch to a virtual channel in the same way as an input response channel.
Virtual Channels Layout Tool
For ease of use, VR has created a separate tool for building formulas for force limiting. The calculator accepts X, Y, Z coordinates or angle-radius information to generate standard summed-force and overturning-moment formulas.
The engineer provides:
- Coordinate origin and axis convention
- Force-sensor location and direction information
The calculator outputs SumX, SumY, SumZ and m(X), m(Y), m(Z) formulas for review. The engineer should always compare the outputs to an independently calculated reference example. Generating formulas automatically improves consistency, but it does not replace engineering verification.
Following verification, the engineer can import or transfer the formula to VibrationVIEW for test profile development. They can save the coordinate definition and formulas within the test documentation.
Please contact our support team for a download link to the tool: support@vibrationresearch.com.
Automation
VibrationVIEW 2026 marks a significant development in the software’s automation capabilities, offering improved functionality and accessible tools. Advancements have been made to improve VibrationVIEW compatibility for customers who rely heavily on system integration and automation in their test workflow.
In the 2026 release, Vibration Research has broadened the coverage of Automation:
- Support for JSON test profile format
- Import and export sine and random test profiles and input configurations in JSON
- Support for headless operation with TEDS
- Ability to retrieve all data files from a test run via Automation API
- Python Flask API wrapper for Automation interface
Python Interface
VibrationVIEW has transitioned to a Python API for its Automation interface. Python excels at automating repetitive tasks, and it is designed to be highly readable and intuitive. Python frameworks, such as Flask, enable simple web development, and libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, and TensorFlow are fundamental for data analysis, AI, and machine learning. With this change, Vibration Research joins a vast ecosystem of pre-built libraries with ready-to-use functionality.
Python provides flexibility. Customers can implement security with Flask and fork the code to meet their expectations.
Python for REST
Use VibrationVIEW Automation to implement a representational state transfer (REST): an architecture that sets out design constraints between computer systems on the web. Customers can combine the Flask framework with vibrationview-api to build a functional REST server. Example code can be found here: https://github.com/VibrationResearch/VibrationVIEW-API-REST.
Improvements to Input Configuration
Improvements have been made to the Input Configuration dialog for better user experience during testing and reporting.
- Identify a separate channel index and channel name
- Resize columns and select multiple inputs, making it easier to view and copy data
- Select multiple channels to make global changes
- Configure inputs in a spreadsheet and paste the configuration into VibrationVIEW for faster setup
- Turn accelerometer power on/off for multiple channels
- Activate TEDS for multiple channels
New Graph Editing in Report Builder
Version 2026.1 includes in-context graph editing, allowing you to customize individual graphs within Report Builder. Rather than add/update graphs in the original test file, you can use the Report Builder’s post-process graphing tool to plot data. This tool can reference multiple test files, create graphs that combine data from multiple sources, and overlay/compare data with cursors or annotations.
VR9700 Green Mode
The VR9700 controller is a compact and powerful device that meets many control needs. To conserve power, VibrationVIEW now supports “green mode,” where the VR9700 enters a sleep mode with minimal power usage after a timeout following network disconnection, saving settings to flash. The device wakes up after the network link is connected.
You can enable/disable green mode and specify the timeout period.
Slope Value for Transient Capture
A field for defining a slope value was added to the Transient Capture Test Settings. Engineers running Transient Capture using shock machines may need to define a slope alongside their breakpoint table.