Traditionally, amplitude is visually measured with the help of a self- adhesive strip placed on the shaft of the mixer which oscillates along with the mixing plate. On the strip there are two lines forming an arrow. When the device oscillates the arrow appears as two arrows forming an intersection point at which the actual amplitude can be gauged. Although it is a quick and dirty means to measure amplitude it is not easy to get the reading right, as it leaves room for interpretation with each person seeing something else.
Later an electronic instrument was developed which consists of a piezo sensor fixed on the shaft of the mixer. The acceleration measured by the piezo is a linear function with respect to amplitude and with some conversion it gives an analog signal which can be used to monitor amplitude and control the drive unit. As the instrument interprets the amplitude based on acceleration data it needs to be calibrated for each FUNDAMIX® separately. Additionally, the sensor is mounted on the shaft and it cannot be easily transferred from one unit to the other. It is usually applied as a fixed installation.
As an alternative to the above instruments we have developed an optical laser sensor, the amplitude monitor. It measures the distance to an oscillating plate fixed on the shaft of the mixer every 1.5 ms. These values are algorithmically converted into an analog reading shown on an integrated display. As we are measuring an absolute distance there is no requirement for additional calibration. This allows the instrument to be applied to all FUNDAMIX® agitators equally, irrespective to other influencing factors such as frequency. As the sensor is not fixed to the vibratory part of the equipment it can be applied as a hand-held battery-operated device to be easily carried around. This marks a new generation of amplitude monitoring instruments and we are proud to offer this to our clients.
Semiconductor Laser Class 2, 655 nm