Why are more modern calibration systems moving toward air-bearing shakers?
A. To use my kid’s slang, because “they rock.” Or conversely, they actually don’t rock. Air-bearing shakers virtually eliminate transverse motion inherent in traditional flexure-based shakers. In fact, most flexure-based shakers fail to meet ISO 16063-21 recommended transverse motion specification. Earlier generation air-bearing shakers had a number of drawbacks, including difficulty in mounting the sensor under test, and adjustment of support rubber bands, depending on accelerometer mass. Our new generation design addresses these drawbacks. By using a unique locking support and a Lorentz force lifting mechanism integral to the shaker, calibrating accelerometers of different sizes becomes fast and easy. This is in addition to other benefits, such as a self-centering bearing for easy operation, and electrical isolation for reduced noise floor.
