High-Speed Camera ＋ data Logger = PLEXLOGGER The ultimate solution for dramatically increases the efficiency of evaluation and verification on site

Fluttering noise could be heard from the right and left of a gear-operating block in our product used on our customer’s production line. Although our quality assurance and design divisions investigated the cause of the noise, it was impossible to distinguish visually whether the noise was generated when the gear moved to the right or to the left because the device moved too fast. The countermeasure to be taken was completely different depending on whether the source of the noise was to the right or to the left. We did hypothesize on the cause ever since we learnt of this problem, but our customer was upset and did not accept our suggestions in the written or oral form. This compelled us to submit results of an urgent and objective analysis.

We measured the gear noise with a sound pressure meter and captured images of our device by using PLEXLOGGER before and after the moment in which noise was generated; we confirmed that the noise occurred in synchronization with the gear hitting the left side.

Though it was not visible in the video image, we found that an internal structure had been trapped causing the noise, and we were able to resolve this problem.

We found out that the cause was as we had hypothesized when we learnt of the noise problem; we were able to confirm and prove our hypothesis using the captured video image. The problem-solving approach employed by the PLEXILOGGER for visualizing the phenomenon and the results it provides were satisfactory to both our customers and us. This feature pleased me very much. Although normal high-speed cameras can capture images of the problematic area, we needed proof of synchronous noise generation from the image in this case. Setting up a general high-speed camera, a sound-pressure meter, and a data logger separately and attempting to synchronize them would have consumed an enormous amount of time. Since PLEXLOGGER provides both synchronous analog waveforms and video images, we only needed to set up one unit of this system. Furthermore, PLEXLOGGER is small and can be installed and used to capture images in within 30 minutes. Moreover, the monitor is conveniently included in PLEXLOGGER and enables the viewing of the video image on site. PLEXLOGGER has assisted in reducing the man-hour and quickening verification and analysis.