What physical quantities can you measure?

We routinely acquire vibration, acceleration, displacement, strain, stress, load, and acoustic levels, along with derived metrics such as RMS, peak, octave bands, and modal parameters.

Can you correlate measurements with FEA?

Yes. We use test data to validate and update FEA models, align boundary conditions, and refine material/connection assumptions to improve predictive accuracy.

Do you provide onsite instrumentation?

We perform onsite deployments on structures, products, and machinery, selecting sensors and acquisition hardware appropriate to the environment and test objectives.

What is your typical process?

Investigate → Test & Measure → Analyse → Design → Support. We clarify objectives, capture high-quality data, interpret results, recommend design or mitigation actions, and provide ongoing assistance.

Instrumentation & Measurement Services

Acquire accurate physical data — vibration, strain, noise, and dynamic response — to validate designs, troubleshoot issues, and refine FEA models.

Request a proposal Our process

Why Instrumentation Matters

Accurate measurement of physical values such as strain, stress, vibration, displacement, and acoustic levels is the foundation of sound engineering. Our measurements help you validate structural and mechanical designs, correlate and refine FEA models, troubleshoot failures or vibration issues, and demonstrate compliance with standards.

Outcome-focused: turn raw signals into actionable engineering insight that leads to better design, reduced risk, and confident decisions.

Instrumentation Capabilities

Vibration Measurement & Monitoring

Ground, machinery, and structural response

Acceleration, velocity, displacement (time & frequency domain)
1/3-octave analysis, RMS/peak, impulsive events
Environmental & equipment sensitivity assessments

Strain & Stress Measurement

Foil gauges, rosettes, load validation, fatigue

Static & dynamic strain, thermal compensation
High-channel DAQ, bridge conditioning & calibration
Correlation with stress predictions and S-N life

Noise & Acoustic Measurement

Industrial & environmental surveys

Sound level, spectra, tonal & impulsive content
Surveys for compliance (e.g., BS 4142)
Source ranking and mitigation advice

Dynamic Response Testing

Modal, ODS, impulse/hammer testing

FRFs, mode shapes, damping estimation
Operational & experimental modal analysis
Boundary condition and stiffness validation

Custom Test & Experiment Instrumentation

Tailored to unique mechanical requirements

Sensor selection, placement, and mounting strategy
DAQ architecture, synchronisation, sampling fidelity
Onsite deployment, safety, and test governance

FEA correlationRoot-cause diagnosticsDesign validationCompliance evidence

Our Process: Investigate → Test & Measure → Analyse → Design → Support

1. Investigate

We clarify objectives, constraints, and unknowns. From suspected resonances to fatigue hotspots, we define the physical quantities and conditions that matter.

2. Test & Measure

We design the instrumentation: sensor types, ranges, placement, mounting, calibration, and DAQ configuration to capture high-quality, traceable data.

3. Analyse

Signal processing, validation, and interpretation: time/frequency analysis, octave bands, modal parameters, and strain-to-stress conversions with uncertainty stated.

4. Design

Insights drive engineering action: design refinements, mitigation strategies, and FEA model updating to improve predictive accuracy.

5. Support

Ongoing technical support: implementation oversight, monitoring, and re-testing to ensure solutions remain effective in service.

Applications Across Industries

Microelectronics & Research

Precision vibration and noise control for vibration-sensitive equipment and clean environments.

Industrial Machinery

Condition diagnostics, imbalance/misalignment detection, and validation of operating envelopes.

Construction & Infrastructure

Ground vibration, structural response to dynamic loads, and environmental noise assessments.

Product Development & Validation

Bridging test and simulation to accelerate design iterations and reduce risk before release.

Compliance & Regulation

Evidence for standards such as BS 4142 assessments and sector-specific guidelines.

What You Get

Deliverables

Test plan and instrumentation schedule
Calibrated datasets and engineer’s log
Analysis report with clear conclusions and next steps
Design recommendations and FEA correlation notes

Assurance

Chartered Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE, MIoA)
29 years in measurement, vibration, and analysis
Traceable methods and documented uncertainty

FAQs

Can you work on live production assets?

Yes. We plan around safety and uptime, using non-intrusive mounting and appropriate protection for sensors and DAQ.

How many channels can you record?

From small diagnostic sets to high-channel deployments with synchronised sampling. We scale to the problem.

Will you provide raw data?

Absolutely — along with calibrated values, metadata, and processing notes for full traceability.

Start a Measurement Project

Tell us about your structure, machine, or test objectives. We’ll propose an instrumentation plan and timeline.

Prefer email? solutions@mechanical-engineering-consultants.co.uk