CLV Compact Laser Vibrometer - Features

Polytec´s Compact Laser Vibrometer (CLV) offers excellent velocity resolution and high optical sensitivity from a compact optical design.

Properties and Benefits

The CLV Compact Laser Vibrometer combines a robust (IP-64 rated), compact optical head with a modular controller. The compact size of the sensor head is ideal for measurements in difficult-to-reach places or on production lines where there is limited space for adding a quality control sensor. The CLV is also the vibrometer of choice for specialists applications like research / analysis of hearing organs.

The CLV achieves a compromise between the miniature size of the fiber optic sensors ( OFV-511, OFV-512) and the high optical sensitivity of the standard optic heads (OFV-303, OFV-353). Another benefit of the CLV is the insensitivity of the fiber to vibration. This is achieved by passing both the signal and reference beams along the full length of the fiber.

The combined features of high velocity resolution, optical sensitivity and compact size make the CLV a valuable tool for applications where measurements have to be made from different types of surfaces at a range of stand-off distances and where a small sensor head is a benefit.

The IP-64 industrial rating of the CLV optical head together with it's compact size make it ideal for retrofitting into existing production lines with minimal impact. The CLV may then be used as a sensor for detecting and classifying defects, noise and vibration in manufactured parts.

    
Advantages

The most important advantages of the CLV are:

  • Small size and weight of CLV optical head
  • Easily integrated into test systems
  • Self-aligning, robust interferometer
  • Fiber itself is totally insensitive to picking up unwanted vibration signals
  • Waterproof and dustproof head tolerates even the most extreme conditions
  • High optical sensitivity for testing surfaces with a range of textures
  • Modular electronics allow system to be tailored to customer needs
  • High velocity resolution
  • High optical sensitivity for testing surfaces with a range of textures
  • Availability of digital decoder option for enhanced resolution

    
System Description

The CLV Laser Doppler Vibrometer consists of a small sensor head connected to a 19" rack-mount controller via a fiber-optic cable.

The CLV optics head  CLV-700 is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand and is available with and without adjustable focus. The advantage of the fixed focus design is slightly improved optical sensitivity and a narrow-angle, near-collimated beam ensuring long depth of focus. Good depth of focus is especially important if the position of the test part is not very repeatable. The head contains mounting holes in the base for attachment to tripods, fixtures and X-Y stages.

A trigger signal can be sent to a data collector or FFT analyzer by pushing a button on the head when conditions are ready to acquire signals.

A 3m optical fiber between the optical head and the laser units  CLV-800 / CLV-810 is supplied standard, although longer lengths are also available. The laser unit CLV-810 can be conveniently placed close to the optical head and remote from the controller.

The CLV controller  CLV-1000 is available with a choice of velocity decoder and filter modules depending upon frequency and amplitude range requirements. Configurations are possible for frequencies in the acoustic range and low velocities as well as measurements at frequencies to 350 kHz and velocities up to ±1.25m/s.

Customers needing to make measurements at two points simultaneously can utilize the two-channel CLV model CLV-2000.

A special version of the CLV is available for research and analysis of hearing organs and implantable hearing devices  HLV . The sensor head (CLV-700) is mounted together with a precise beam positioning system onto a clinical microscope. The microscope magnifies the test surface for precise positioning of the laser beam on the target.

Polytec offers quantity discounts to OEM customers integrating the CLV laser vibrometer into their own systems such as multi-station production lines. A division of Polytec, Polytec Noise Analysis (PNA) offers turnkey production test solutions including defect, noise/vibration detection, classification and complete process control integration.

    
Applications

Applications:

  • Small micromachined sensors and actuators
  • Automotive transmissions, turbochargers, air flow actuators, mirror actuators, window motors, wiper actuators, fuel pumps, light bulbs and fuel injectors
  • Disk, CD ROM, DVD drives and components
  • Production testing where space is at a premium
  • Loudspeaker transducers
  • Wire-bonder capillaries and transducers
  • Hearing research
  • Other structures including appliances and medical devices

    


CLV System