Q: How to test the China INC1000 inclinometer’s accuracy?
A: The accuracy of INC1000 inclinometer is tested on our high-precision turntable. The angle of the high-precision turntable is used as the reference angle. The angle measured by our inclination is compared with the angle of the high-precision turntable to calculate the error, then do the compensation to assure the ultra-high accuracy of INC1000 inclinometer.
Q: What is the difference between the static inclinometers and dynamic inclinometers?
A: The static inclinometers are equipped with a 2D MEMS accelerometer serving as a sensor cell. This type of inclinometer allows high precision to be achieved in a static system, or when the machine only performs slow movements.
And the dynamic inclinometers (also called as vertical gyros) are equipped with a 3D MEMS accelerometer and a 3D MEMS gyroscope. An intelligent algorithm combines the signals from the accelerometer and the gyroscope to eliminate the effect of accelerations (e.g. due to rapid movement of equipment), vibrations and shocks.
And INC1000 inclinometer belong to static inclinometer, which can provide high accuracy tilt angle in a static system or slow movement applications.
Q: What factors affect the accuracy of the inclination sensor?
A: the inclinometer’s accuracy is related to installation errors, zero offset errors, and non-linearity errors.
Q: How do we calibrate zero point when we use the INC1000 inclinometer? When the INC1000 inclinometer output 0 degree, whether this 0 degree can be regarded as the absolute 0 degree?
A: it needs the accurate 0 degree value to calibrate the 0 degree calibration, and then according to the reference accurate 0 degree value, the inclinometer calibration then can be executed. When the INC1000 indicated 0 degree, this 0 degree is the current measured angle by INC1000 inclinometer, and it cannot be regarded as the absolute 0 degree.
Q: Whether needing a special tooling to do auxiliary installation?
A: According to the actual installation situation of the inclination sensor, a tooling is designed to install the inclination sensor. Using countersunk head screws, the accuracy of screw holes is within 0.003mm, and the flatness is within 0.005mm. The tooling can effectively reduce the installation error, but it cannot eliminate the installation error.
Q: How to calibrate the inclinometer?
A: The inclinometer needs to be calibrated on a high-precision turntable, and then the obtained data is used to perform algorithmic compensation on the inclination sensor. At the customer side, if there is no precision turntable, it cannot be calibrated, we can provide inclinometer calibration service.
Q: How to protect the INC1000 inclinometer components from failure?
A: The high-precision INC1000 inclinometer is mainly used for measurement in a static environment or similar static environment. It adopts IP67 protection, and the device will not fail in normal use.
Q: What factors affect the actual accuracy in the applications?
A: the inclinometer actual accuracy will be influenced by the following factors:
1). The accuracy is mainly affected by the installation error. Since the installation error is inevitable, during the installation process, install as much as possible according to the installation method. If the installation axis of the inclination sensor is parallel to the two sides of the inclination sensor, then the installation error is almost a constant value. The influence of installation error can be removed by measuring relative error.
2). Temperature, the environment temperature change has an impact on accuracy
3). Zero bias error
4). Non-linearity error
5). It will be related to the g value, but it has little effect. It is related to the latitude used. If possible, please tell us the latitude that the inclinometer is used. We will write this value into the inclinometer during the calibration process to reduce the error.
Q: Whether there is possibility of building a one network with several sensors such as accelerometers and inclinometers?
A: yes, no problem, please let us know the details of your applications, so that we can make a solution.
Q: What is Two-axis digital inclinometer??
A: Traditional spirit levels and pendulum-based electronic leveling instruments are usually constrained by only single-axis and narrow tilt measurement range. However, most precision leveling, angle measurement, alignment and surface flatness profiling tasks essentially involve a two-dimensional surface plane angle rather than two independent orthogonal single-axis objects. Two-axis inclinometers that are built with MEMS tilt sensors provides simultaneous two-dimensional angle readings of a surface plane tangent to earth datum.
Typical advantages of using two-axis inclinometers over conventional single-axis “bubble” or mechanical leveling instruments may include:
– Two-axis MEMS technology enables simultaneous two-dimensional (X-Y plane) tilt angles (i.e. pitch & roll) measurement, eliminates tedious trial-and-error (i.e. going back-and-forth) experienced when using single-axis levels to adjust machine footings to attain a precise leveling position.
– Two-axis MEMS inclinometers can be digitally compensated and precisely calibrated for non-linearity for operating temperature variation resulting in higher angular accuracy over wider angular measurement range.
– Two-axis MEMS inclinometer with built-in accelerometer sensors may generate numerical data tabulated in the form of vibration profiles enable machine installer to track and assess alignment quality in real-time and verify structure positional stability by comparing machine’s leveling profiles before and after setting up.
Q: What is the Measurement Principle of MEMS Inclinometers??
A: Inclinometers measure the orientation angle of an object with respect to the force of gravity. This is done by means of an accelerometer, which monitors the effect of gravity on a tiny mass suspended in an elastic support structure. When the device tilts, this mass will move slightly, causing a change of capacitance between the mass and the supporting structure. The tilt angle is calculated from the measured capacitances.
The function can be illustrated with a simplified model with two electrodes: one fixed, and the other (the proof mass) is movable, suspended by spring elements. When the inclinometer is in a horizontal position, the capacitance between the electrodes is measured. If the sensor is tilted, the movable mass and its electrode will change position relative to the fixed electrode. This resulting change of capacitance between the two electrodes is measured by the sensor cell and used to calculate the new inclination value.
Q: What is the Limitations of Static Inclinometers?
A: In case of strong shock and vibration, the physical damping in static inclinometers might not be sufficient to suppress disturbances. Software filters can only help to a limited extent in reducing the impact of such disturbances. For static inclinometers, “moving average” or “exponential” filters can be activated and configured to smoothen the signal, but with the downside that the fast reaction time of the MEMS inclinometer is lost and the response of sensor becomes slower.
For dynamic movements with strong accelerations, SkyMEMS’s Dynamic inclinometers should be used. They are based on a different technology without physical damping so that there is no tradeoff between stability and response time.
Q: What is Dynamic Inclinometer?
A: For applications where sudden movements, shocks and vibrations are likely to be encountered, it is important to have sensors with fast response and a clean signal output. SkyMEMS’s dynamic inclinometers combine two measurement principles using two different MEMS sensors: a 3D acceleration sensor and a 3D gyroscope. The 3D acceleration sensor is not damped (unlike the units used in static inclinometers) and can follow rapid dynamic motions. At the same time, the 3D gyroscope measures rotational speeds, based on inertia principles. Signals from the accelerometers and gyroscopes are combined to produce an inclination measurement that fully compensates the effects of accelerations. As a result, dynamic inclinometers can be used reliably on mobile equipment such as construction machinery, mining equipment, cranes or in robotic applications.
Q: whether the connector and cable length can be selected?
A: yes, no problem, please let us know the connector type and cable length you want, then we can do it.
Q: How about the delivery time?
A: for our standard model, if we have them in stock, only need 2~3days to re-test before shipping, if it is out of stock, then need around 2 weeks to arrange the production and tests. For the ODM electronic product, if needing to modify the structure, it will need around 3~4 weeks to arrange the production and tests.
Q: How to arrange the payment?
A: about the payment, please pay to our company account, the beneficiary’s name: NANJING SKY MEMS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. And our email is only @skymems.com to contact with u formally. To notice this to avoid the loss.
