Need Help Finding Cheap Vibration Testing Equipment

AI Thread Summary
Jane is seeking affordable vibration testing equipment for her research on piezoelectric energy harvesters, specifically looking for a device capable of frequency sweeps from 0-1000 Hz. She finds commercial options excessively priced, exceeding $5,000, and requests recommendations for cheaper alternatives. Suggestions include using a loudspeaker as a makeshift shake table, with caution regarding its resonance limits, and employing a Resistance Substitution Box for matching resistors. While measuring displacement reliably remains a challenge, optical methods or visual measurements are proposed. The discussion also touches on using an oscilloscope for voltage measurement and calculating current based on resistance.
hiimjane
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Hi PF,
I hope I'm doing this right, first post. I need help with a research project for the effect of the ambient vibration frequency at resonance for a piezoelectric energy harvester (It's well documented, I know, but I have to do an experiment with it anyways).

Anyways, I noticed that vibration shakers are EXTREMELY expensive. I was looking for a cheap one that could do a basic frequency sweep from around 0-1000 Hz so I could find the resonance of the piezoelectric. The ones I found were over $5,000, which is way too much for me. Specific models of cheap ones would be SUPER helpful.

Also, I could use some help finding software that would measure the displacement and power output as well as something that could help me find the best matching resistor. Remember that I'm on a budget here...

Thanks!
Jane
 
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A loudspeaker makes a shake table for lightweight items.

If you don't want to damage the speaker, stretch a thin rubber sheet over it, or some plasticwrap from the kitchen, and glue the piezo device to its center.
Watch out for the resonance of the speaker though. It's generally below 200Hz, and for 8-inch and larger speakers below 50Hz isn't unusual.

For matching resistor selection probably a Resistance Substitution Box is your best bet. The cheap ones (<$10 US the last time I looked) look like a hockey puck with two wires with clips coming out of them.

Can't think of a cheap, reliable way to measure displacement. Perhaps something optical, or even visual with a ruler.
Hopefully someone else on the site has something.
 
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Tom.G said:
A loudspeaker makes a shake table for lightweight items.

I don't think I'd be able to do a reliable frequency sweep with a loudspeaker though, right? o_O
 
hiimjane said:
I don't think I'd be able to do a reliable frequency sweep with a loudspeaker though, right? o_O
As long as you can control the amplitude and frequency, you should be able to "level" the amplitude of the displacement. You might use a strobe light to help you see the extent of the vibration peaks.
 
hiimjane said:
I can find the voltage using an oscilloscope, but how about current?
If you know the voltage and the resistance then I=E/R; Amps = Volts/Ohms
 
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