Miniature MEMS High Amplitude 20,000 g Shock Accelerometers for Aerospace & Defense and Extreme Test & Measurement Applications

April 11, 2008, Depew, NY, USA – The Aerospace & Defense division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has announced the launch of Series 3991 & 3993, a family of MEMS-based, miniature high amplitude 20,000 g shock accelerometers, which are among the industry’s smallest.

Series 3991 & 3993 MEMS-based miniature high amplitude shock accelerometers, available in both single axis and triaxial configurations, represent the state-of-the-art for miniature, high-amplitude, DC response acceleration sensors, capable of measuring long duration transient motion, as well as responding to and surviving extremely fast rise times, typical of a high-g shock event. Several configurations are offered to fulfill a variety of installation requirements, with a standard footprint that is a drop-in replacement for competitive models. Each style shares the same air-damped acceleration sensing element, which is micromachined from silicon using the latest advances in etching techniques. This tiny element measures just 2.5 x 1.7 x 0.9 mm (l x w x h) incorporating a seismic mass, protective over range stops, and a full-active, piezoresistive Wheatstone bridge, which provides minimal zero shift, very low power consumption and DC response capability.

Sensors also feature internal stops for large over-shock survivability, and high-strength, low-weight titanium housing, with integral very low-noise integral Kevlar® cable. With 5% damping capability on Model 3991A1020KG, for lower-noise, better data fidelity (cleaner signal) and phase accuracy, quick response, and near-field pyroshock measurement capabilities, models within Series 3991/3993 are intended to fulfill demanding aerospace and defense requirements, as well as a wide assortment of product testing applications. Typical applications include fuze/safe and arm applications; penetrator tests; crash/impact testing; metal-to-metal impacts; drop testing; blast loading of structures; and consumer electronic products testing.

Design concepts for these PCB® sensors were born from more than 20 years of expertise in very high g shock (> 20,000 g) measurement applications and sensor development, with designs developed by one of the world’s most renowned experts in this technology. For detailed drawings, specifications, or additional information, please visit www.pcb.com.

Launched in 2008, Aerospace & Defense division of PCB® serves the Turbine Engine, Helicopter Usage and Monitoring Systems (HUMS), Ground Vibration Testing, Wind Tunnel Testing, Fuze/Safe and Arm, Spacecraft and Aerospace Systems design and development communities with sensors and associated signal conditioning for measurement of acceleration (vibration, shock and rigid body); acoustics; pressure; piezoresistive (both strain gage and MEMS); and variable capacitive (both MEMS and microphone). Manufacturing operations are certified to AS9100:2004 and ISO9001:2000, with calibration procedures accredited by A2LA to ISO17025. Products can be manufactured to meet specific aerospace environmental standards, with program design requirements to meet RTCA-DC-160 and MIL-STD-810, and low gassing designs available for specific applications.

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