PolyLab & PolyLab+

Sandia National Laboratories NOMAD Research

“Summer interns at Sandia National Laboratories participated in the Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics (NOMAD) Research Institute to work on collaborative research projects with teams of interns and mentors. Several project teams over the years have used Polytec Laser Vibrometers as a non-contact measurement capability for a variety of experimental setups, and enabled the students to learn how to acquire multi-sensor measurements. For example, one project used the Laser Vibrometers to obtain measurements on small electrical switches; the small size of the test unit necessitated a non-contact acquisition method, which Polytec was able to provide.”

Deborah Fawler, Mechanical Engineer, Sandia National Laboratories

Kettering University

"Kettering University physics and engineering students used the Polytec PDV-100 portable laser Doppler vibrometer kits as part of a unit on vibration and modal testing in our senior-level Acoustical Testing and Modeling course. Students were able to learn about the basic physics behind laser Doppler vibrometry, measure the vibrational modes of a cantilever beam, and compare measurements made using vibrometers with those made by accelerometers. We were also able to take measurements on vibrating objects that are hard to measure with accelerometers including a speaker cone and a guitar string. The availability of the portable laser vibrometers added a dimension to the course that we did not have previously and gives the students exposure to another technology useful in vibration studies." 

Dr. Ronald E. Kumon, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Kettering University

North Dakota State University

"Mechanical engineering students from two courses at NDSU were brought together to perform structural dynamic analysis of a beam using the Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) from Polytec's University Program (UP). They were able to calculate Young's modulus and second moment of inertia of the cross section. Students were also able to calibrate the piezoelectric accelerometers and compare their calibration results to those recommended by the respective manufacturers. In both cases, students were amazed on how their experimental results agreed with expected theoretical results, which is highly credited to the accuracy offered by this LDV unit. We really thank Polytec for allowing us to use the UP units in our labs as it has tremendously enhanced our course delivery."

Dr. Annie Tangpong, Associate Professor of Mechanical Vibrations and Dr. Majura Selekwa, Associate Professor of Engineering Measurements, Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Dakota State University

California State University

"Polytec's Laser Doppler Vibrometer PDV-100 was used by CSUN's Mechanical Engineering graduate students to perform experimental modal analyses on different laminated composite structures manufactured at CSUN's composites laboratory. Students were able to quickly run the tests and use the VibSoft software to obtain important structural parameters from the measurements. Students used the experimental data to update their computational models. All participating students reported that the LDV is very easy to use and the software is straight-forward. Students really enjoyed this hands-on project. Thank you so much Polytec! It was a nice learning experience." 

Dr. Peter L. Bishay, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Northridge

White Noise, LLC

"The VibroGo sensor was an important asset to my introduction to NVH engineering at Waterloo Christian.  For the vibration demo I magnetically attached a speaker to a small fuse box.  The speaker was fed a swept sine and the box vibration was measured with an accelerometer and the laser.  A mic recorded the sound.  One thing that was fun to demonstrate was playing back the accel and laser signals through the Dewe’s sound system and then demonstrating reciprocity by speaking into the box and again playing back the sound to hear what was said."

Robert White, Ph.D., P.E., White Noise LLC presentation at Waterloo Christian

University of Iowa

"The portable Laser Doppler Vibrometer VibroGo system, on loan from Polytec, allowed us to establish feasibility and collect preliminary results for a grant application. The system allowed us to distinguish important effects of fruit fly mutations on active hearing by measuring displacement or velocity of their antennae. The portable system also opens the potential for us to incorporate it as a tool in our undergraduate Animal Behavior Laboratory class to measure stridulatory behavior or acoustic function in insects. Vibrometry data would add significantly to opportunities for our students to develop quantitative understanding of animal behavior. We appreciate Polytec’s generosity in allowing us to learn and use this robust and well-designed instrument."

Daniel F. Eberl, Professor, Department of Biology, University of Iowa

Stanford University

"Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) used a Polytec Portable Digital Vibrometer (PDV-100) to study the acoustics of musical instruments. The vibrometer allowed researchers to capture the vibrational characteristics of individual acoustic and electric guitars. The vibration measurements serve as the basis for computational models which are used to study the acoustics of the instruments as well as to produce sound synthesis for music making."

The study was led by Chris Chafe, Director of CCRMA at Stanford University.