Abstract

This paper describes a high-resolution analog acceleration and vibration amplifier for use with piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors. The purpose of this system is to monitor automated parts placement on integrated circuit boards. One of the problems facing production and inspection equipment is the occurrence of resonant and ambient vibrations. Even small errors can cause systems with micrometer and nanometer precision to exceed design tolerances. This work describes a method to monitor mechanical vibrations through a portable and inexpensive signal-processing unit. The system provides user-selectable gain and filtering modules that are compact and reliable. PVDF is currently used in sensing applications, and its material properties have proven very useful for sensing mechanical stress, strain, pressure, and temperature