StrobeCAM - System for Slow Motion Visualisation and Analysis of vibration

Visualisation in slow motion and video recording

Easy usage as Videostroboscope

Optional image analysis for quantitative motion analysis

500kHz time resolution

StrobeCAM - Videostroboscope for vibration analysis

The StrobeCAM visualizes and records vibrations and rotations in slow motion; for example on the shaker, on an engine test stand, at inaccessible locations or at miniature objects. The StrobeCAM is an easy to use and an inexpensive alternate solution to high speed cameras and also allows also a number of possibilities beyond the visual observation by stroboscopic illumination.
The slow-motion visualization is user-friendly with an adjustable speed, e.g. 1 cycle/second and is independent of the vibration frequency. With this innovative principle, the component movement can also be clearly visualized over an entire frequency sweep from e.g. 5Hz to 2kHz.

Working Principle

The Strobe-CAM controls precisely the exposure moment related to the periodic process. The LED illumination is constant in time. The object movement gets frozen due to the short exposure time which is comparable to the duration of a strobe light pulse. The stroboscopic control is based on the realtime analysis of an input signal by the StrobeCAM trigger controller.
The slow-motion visualization is user-friendly with an adjustable speed, e.g. 1 cycle/second and is independent of the vibration frequency of the component. With this innovative principle, the component movement can also be clearly visualized over an entire frequency sweep.

The standard system is equipped with an HD camera (2000x1200 pixels) and has a time resolution of 500kHz. As a result, the StrobeCAM has a better quality slow motion display than an expensive high-speed camera that only achieves a reduced resolution of 512x56 pixels at 480kHz frame rate.

Slow-motion visualisation of fast events
Recording and commenting of videos for documentation
Easy usage
Integrated viewer for recorded videos (AVIs)
Constant light - no stroboscope light
Optional software for image analysis:
- LIMtrackLIMtrack
  Measurement of the motion and resonance curve
- Istra4D/Q400
  Spatially resolved measurment of 3D-displacement and deformation (modal shape)

With the StrobeCAM recorded motion of a connector panel on a electrodynamic shaker.

Advantages against high speed cameras:

Lower price
Higher camera resolutions available

Advantages against strobe lights:

Works with constant LED light
→ No irritating (unhealthy) flash light
Integrated video recording and documentation

Frequency range:

Cameras:

Signal input:

Delivery:

1Hz to 60kHz

0,3 MPixel to 29 MPixel
Color or monochrom

COLA signal from 0,5V amplitude

Camera, lens, trigger electronics, illumination, StrobeCAM software
Optionally: Tripod, computer (laptop or desktop)

StrobeCAM consisting of camera with lens and trigger unit

Vibration testing and vibration analysis
Usage with elektrodynamic Shaker
Visualisation, recording and documentation of object motion
Measurement of resonance curve (frequency response)
Measurement of resonance frequency
Contactless component testing
Transportation tests
Environmental testing
Zyclic Tests / rotating objects
Fatigue testing (LCF/HCF/VHCF) in combination with Q400-DIC

Fast Events

The visualisation and measurement of fast events is typically done with high speed cameras.
If the event is periodic a flashing strobe light can be used to show the motions.

Video Stroboscopy

The term video stroboscopy origins from the diagnostic research at vocal cords. The motion of the voting lip is observed with a camera, endoscope and stroboscope illumination.

StrobeCAM

The StrobeCAM is based on the precise synchonization of a digital camera to the periodic event. The illumination is done by temporal constant LED light. The synchronisierung of the digital camera requires a peridic input signal (COLA) from the test system (frequency generator, rotation encoder). Our microprocessor controlled trigger controller analyses the input signal and generates a precise phase synchronised trigger signal for the camera. The vibration frequency is allowed to be much higher than the free running camera recording frequency.

Still Image

Example: Assuming, that the camera can record images with max. 30Hz auf and the vibration frequeny is 100Hz. Then the trigger system will generate trigger signals every 3rd period of the input signal. The following diagrams show the time courses:

At triggering with constant phase relation to the input signal the motion of the objects' vibration is freezed ("Still image")

StrobeCAM Standbild