Abstract: A transducer testing system for low frequency vibrations incorporates an electric motor/gearbox assembly 16 with an output shaft 18 and mechanical means for converting low frequency shaft rotation of the output shaft 18 to uniform low frequency sinusoidal excitation of an accelerometer 10. Simultaneously, a data processing unit 14 measures the response of the accelerometer 10 to the uniform low frequency excitation within predetermined frequency ranges. The data processing unit 14 then compares the measured response with predetermined accelerometer response limits to ascertain whether the accelerometer 10 is functional. The transducer testing system overcomes the limitations of electrodynamic testers to provide a means for accurately testing the low frequency response of the accelerometer 10.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the performance of an automated machine tool. Specifically, the device of the invention monitors the operation of a reciprocating appliance. The device of the invention measures the amount of force being exerted by the appliance during each operation. This information is analyzed by the device to determine the dimensional characteristics of each work piece. If the device calibrates that a particular work piece possesses an improper dimensional characteristic, e.g. thickness or hardness, then the device is designed to initiate a safety function, e.g. terminating the operation of the machine tool.