Abstract: An apparatus for visualizing physical movements includes: a device for acquiring video image files; a data analysis system including processor and memory; a computer program operating in the processor to identify an area in the images where periodic motions associated with physical movement of an object may be detected and quantified, and compute a new image sequence in which the motions are visually amplified; and, a user interface that displays the motion-amplified video image of the mechanical component. An associated method for using the apparatus is also disclosed.