Pros and Cons of Accelerometer Mounting Methods

Mounting an accelerometer correctly is crucial to obtaining accurate measurements. There are several methods to mount an accelerometer, each with its advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. Here are the common methods:

1. Adhesive Mounting:
   • Description: This involves using adhesive materials such as double-sided tape or glue to attach the accelerometer to the test surface.
   • Advantages: Simple and quick to apply; does not require additional equipment.
   • Disadvantages: The bond can degrade over time or under certain environmental conditions; may not provide the strongest or most stable attachment.
2. Magnetic Mounting:
   • Description: Using a magnet to attach the accelerometer to a magnetic surface.
   • Advantages: Easy to apply and remove; useful for temporary measurements.
   • Disadvantages: Limited to surfaces that are ferromagnetic; potential for slippage or movement during high vibration.
3. Stud Mounting:
   • Description: Involves screwing the accelerometer onto a mounting stud that is fixed to the test surface.
   • Advantages: Provides a very secure attachment; ideal for high-frequency measurements and environments with high vibration.
   • Disadvantages: Requires drilling and tapping a hole in the test surface; more permanent and can be time-consuming to set up.
4. Clamp Mounting:
   • Description: Using clamps to hold the accelerometer in place.
   • Advantages: Flexible and can be adjusted or repositioned easily; good for temporary setups.
   • Disadvantages: Can be bulky and may introduce additional resonances; may not be as secure as stud mounting.
5. Wax Mounting:
   • Description: Using special wax to adhere the accelerometer to the test surface.
   • Advantages: Easy to apply and remove; can be used on a variety of surfaces.
   • Disadvantages: The bond can weaken over time, especially under high temperatures; not suitable for high-frequency or high-vibration environments.
6. Epoxy Mounting:
   • Description: Using epoxy resin to permanently fix the accelerometer to the test surface.
   • Advantages: Provides a very strong and stable bond; ideal for long-term measurements.
   • Disadvantages: Permanent and difficult to remove; requires curing time.
7. Mounting Pads or Bases:
   • Description: Using a specially designed mounting pad or base that the accelerometer can attach to.
   • Advantages: Provides a stable and consistent mounting surface; can be designed to minimize additional resonances.
   • Disadvantages: May require custom fabrication; can be more expensive and complex to set up.

Selecting the appropriate mounting method depends on the specific requirements of your measurement application, including the environment, the duration of measurement, and the frequency range of interest.