As for data acquisition, HBK’s objective was to offer BOAS a system that could support all types of gauges (with nominal resistances of 120 Ω, 350 Ω, and 700Ω), all mounting systems (¼ bridge, ½ bridge), and the full bridge. It was decided that the MX1615 strain gauge amplifier, from HBM´s QuantumX range, was the best choice for this kind of operation.
The module can also support measuring channels for PT100Ω probes, which is useful to compensate for significant temperature variations, often the case for this application during the successive operation phases.
The converter’s 24 bits and perfect signal conditioning offers unique measurement precision. Using the same instrumentation, it can capture small amplitude phenomena (a few tenths of µm/m) and other measurements during final tests.
On the subject of unprotected environment gauge instrumentation, Carola Corazza, Head of Engineering Services for HBK Southern Europe, explains: “If the signal from a gauge is weak and not properly conditioned, electrical and/or electromagnetic disturbances can seriously affect the reliability of strain measurements.”
Carola continues: “For these kinds of situations, the Quantum MX1615B allows not only the optimization of signal filtering, but also the supply of DC or carrier frequency to the gauges. Knowing that the signal from this type of sensor is in MV/V – and therefore directly dependent on the quality of the power supply – we are fully aware of the importance of a multitask strain gauge bridge, such as the QuantumX MX1615B.”
The QuantumX MX1615B conditioners, synchronized with a QuantumX CX22B of the same range, allows for remote data storage and transfer via a protocol defined by the BOAS teams. This conditioner model can also easily create measurement ‘tasks’ in which to configure the measurement according to user requirements.
It also offers an additional advantage for monitoring activities: several adjustments and settings could be optimized directly, on the measuring unit, via the Ethernet connection to a host computer or remotely via 4G wireless connection.