Vibrationspulser

Vibrationspulser, or vibration pulser, is a device designed to generate short, controlled mechanical vibration impulses for testing, calibration, and research. It converts electrical energy into a brief, high-force displacement delivered to a specimen or structure, enabling measurement of the resulting dynamic response.

Most pulsers rely on fast-acting actuators such as electromagnetic solenoids or piezoelectric stacks. A precisely shaped electrical pulse drives the actuator, creating a transient contact force that excites the target. The impulse is typically characterized by peak force or acceleration, pulse duration and rise time, and resulting bandwidth.

Configurations vary from handheld or benchtop units to fixed test rigs. They use calibrated interfaces, such as an impulse tip or contacting pad, and are often paired with sensors to capture the response. Impulse shaping allows control over spectral content and minimizes unwanted vibrations.

Applications include nondestructive testing, structural health monitoring, and modal analysis, where impulse responses reveal material properties and joint integrity. They are also used to calibrate accelerometers and vibrometers, and in laboratory studies of wave propagation in solids.

Safety and setup considerations include securing the device and test object, protecting operators from high accelerations, and ensuring appropriate couplants and mounts to avoid damage or erroneous measurements.