Get Control

VibPlot
User’s Guide
Version 1.7.5
 Get Control VibPlot User’s Guide - Version 1.7.5

Table of Contents

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 GCI VibPlot Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Vib Tool Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3.1 Recording Time Domain Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3.2 Setting the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3.3 Recharging the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Starting VibPlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Default Analysis Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.1 Average Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.1.1 Time-Slice Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1.2 Zooming In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Time-Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 Frequency Analysis Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 VibPlot Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4.1 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1.1 Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1.2 Connect to Vib Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.2.1 Files List - Viewing the List of Data Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1.2.2 Upload Button - Uploading a Recorded Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.2.3 Removing Files from Internal Vib Tool Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.2.3.1 Delete Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.2.3.2 Delete All Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.3 Save Reduced Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1.4 Export as Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.5 Export Time-domain Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.6 Print Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.7 Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.8 Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.2 Edit Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.2.1 Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3 View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3.1 Average Window View Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.3.1.1 RMS Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.3.1.2 Legacy RMS Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.3.1.3 True RMS Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.3.1.4 Peak Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.3.2 Time-Domain and Frequency Analysis Window View Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.3.2.1 Time-Domain + FFT Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.3.2.2 Waterfall Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.3.2.3 Spectrograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.3.3 Refresh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.4 Analysis Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.4.1 Overlap FFT Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.4.2 1 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.4.3 10 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.4.4 30 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.4.5 60 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

5 Excel Application Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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 Get Control VibPlot User’s Guide - Version 1.7.5

List of Figures

Figure 1 - Key Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Figure 2 - Authorization Email Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Figure 3 - Select Key Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Figure 4 - Vib Tool Menu Flowchart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 5 - Default Analysis Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 6 - Time Slice Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 7 - Zooming In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 8 - File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Figure 9 - File Open Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Figure 10 - Connect To Vib Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 11 - Connected to Vib Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 12 - Files List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 13 - Progress Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 14 - Delete Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 15 - Confirm Delete All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 16 - Sample Legacy Reduced Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 17 - View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 18 - RMS Mode Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Figure 19 - Legacy RMS Mode Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Figure 20 - True RMS Mode Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 21 - Peak Mode Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 22 - Time-domain + FFT Mode Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Figure 23 - X-Axis Waterfall Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Figure 24 - 3D Spectrograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Figure 25 - Analysis Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure 26 - 1 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure 27 - 10 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Figure 28 - 30 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Figure 29 - 60 Second Time Domain Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Figure 30 - File/Open Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 31 - Import Step 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 32 - Import Step 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 33 - Import Step 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Figure 34 - Imported Data in Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Figure 35 - Post Import Cleanup and X, Y, Z Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Figure 36 - Graphing Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

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 Get Control VibPlot User’s Guide - Version 1.7.5

1 Introduction
The Get Control Tri-Axial Accelerometer Test Tool (Vib Tool) has become the industry standard device used
to analyze the vibration characteristics of AMHS delivery vehicles and tracks within 200 mm and 300 mm
fabs. Get Control, Inc. developed the Vib Tool’s hardware and firmware in cooperation with wafer fabrication
leaders to take time-domain vibration data at a 512 Hz sampling rate, and reduce it two data records per
second over three axes.

The initial release of the Vib Tool, now termed legacy, utilized a data reduction algorithm consisting of FFT’s
to convert the time-domain data into the frequency domain (on 2 Hz bins), and averaging calculations to
produce several data points for each ½ second data record. Data points for each axes include a summed
RMS value, the Peak Amplitude value, the Frequency at Peak and the number of frequency bins with data
over 0.3 g’s. The true RMS calculation over all three axes is also included.

Each ½ second, the legacy Vib Tool acquires 256 samples of time-domain data on each axes, while
performing data reduction on the previously acquired ½ second worth of data. In this way, the legacy Vib
Tool reduces recorded time-domain data internally into reduced data packets, discarding the time-domain
data as reduction is completed. The reduced data packets are stored internally in battery backed RAM, and
available to upload to a PC for analysis as a formatted ASCII text. The time-domain samples are not
retained, and are unavailable for post reduction analysis.

Beginning with firmware version 5.0, the Vib Tool replaces the legacy tool’s on-board data reduction by
recording all time-domain data directly to internal flash memory. Data reduction is relocated to the PC using
the GCI VibPlot Application. This allows the time-domain data to be available for more detailed analysis
than was possible using the legacy Vib Tool’s on-board data reduction.

The VibPlot Application provides users with powerful graphical analysis features. Time-domain data can be
graphically displayed, along with graphs of several data reduction calculations, including legacy reduction
modes that duplicate the Vib Tool’s on-board data reduction. Legacy reduced data can be exported to a text
file in the same format produced by legacy Vib Tools. This allows customers to continue to use their own
customized legacy analysis methods with the new Vib Tool, and take advantage of the new graphical
analysis options provided by the VibPlot Application.

The VibPlot User’s Guide provides details on using the VibPlot Application.

1.1 Overview
VibPlot provides data reduction and graphical display of time-domain data recorded by the GCI Vib Tool.
Graphing options include:

! recorded time-domain vibration data

! summary of averages
" RMS vs. Time
" Legacy RMS vs. Time (legacy Vib Tool reduction)
" True RMS vs. Time
" Peak Amplitude vs. Time
! frequency analysis
" Amplitude vs. Frequency Spectrograms
" Three-Dimensional Spectrograms
! indicated violations of defined tolerances
" True RMS
" Peak Amplitude

Time-domain and Reduced data can be exported to a comma-delimited (CSV) text file. The current graphics
window can be printed or exported to one of several image formats.

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VibPlot also provides the link between the GCI Vib Tool and the PC for uploading recorded data files, and
managing the Vib Tool’s internal flash memory. The Vib Tool’s recording of time-domain data results in
large data files. A typical 10 minute recording session will generate a 1.3 MB data file. This results in an
upload time of approximately 1.5 minutes. When recording for longer periods of time, the file size grows
accordingly, resulting in longer upload times.

1.2 GCI VibPlot Licensing

The GCI VibPlot application requires a license key. The first time
the application is started, an Authorization Required dialog box is
displayed indicating that VibPlot has not been authorized.

Press the No button to indicate that you have not received a key file
yet. A second dialog box is displayed asking if you want to request
an authorization key. Figure 1 - Key Request

Press the Yes button to generate an authorization file. The file “Request for VibPlot Key.bin” will be
created on your desktop. This file contains a unique identifier based on your specific installation of VibPlot.

You will be instructed to email this file to GCI. GCI will

respond with an Authorization Key file.

When you receive the Key file, copy it to your system, and
launch VibPlot. When the initial dialog box is displayed
asking if you have a key file, press the Yes button. You will
be prompted to locate the VibPlot Key File using a standard
Windows file open dialog box. Figure 2 - Authorization Email Dialog
Locate the desired file and press Open. If the Key File
contains a valid license from GCI, the VibPlot application will open.

After a valid license key has been added to VibPlot,

the application will open normally without prompting for
a key file. Keys are required for each individual
installation of VibPlot.

1.3 Vib Tool Operation

Vib Tool operation is covered in detail in the GCI Tri-
Axial Accelerometer Test Tool Users Guide. This
section provides a short introduction to the Vib Tool,
including:
Figure 3 - Select Key Dialog
! initiating a recording session
! connecting to VibPlot to upload a data file
! setting the internal clock
! recharging the batteries

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the Vib Tool’s message sequence. When first powered up, a sign-on message
is displayed, showing the tools internal time and date, firmware version number and serial number.

After a two second delay, the tool runs through an initialization process. During this process, the time and
date is replaced with the word “Initializing”. This indicates that the tool has successfully booted. If the
“Initializing” message is not displayed after several seconds, the Vib Tool may not have booted properly.
Cycle power to retry.

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Part of the inititialization process is a check of available space on the internal flash memory for recorded
data. The Maximum Recording Time is displayed at the end of the initialization step. This message can be
used to determine when data files should be removed from internal storage.

Pressing the ENTER key will clear this message and display the main system menu, starting with the Acquire
Data option.

Figure 4 - Vib Tool Menu Flowchart

1.3.1 Recording Time Domain Data

Press the ENTER key at the MAIN MENU / ACQUIRE DATA screen to initiate a recording session. The Vib
Tool displays a INITIALIZING / PLEASE WAIT message while it prepares internal storage to accept the
recorded data. It then displays a maximum recording time message. The system will automatically
terminate acquisition when the displayed time expires. Alternately, the user can terminate recording
manually.

Press the ENTER key to start recording data. The Vib Tool writes some header information into the data
file, including the tool’s S/N, firmware version number and time and date. While the header information is
being written (which takes a few seconds), the tool displays the RECORDING... / WRITING HEADER
message. When the header has been written, the system initiates it’s time-domain data acquisition module
and begins streaming recorded data to the data file. The display changes to RECORDING... / TIME
DOMAIN DATA. While this message is displayed, the system is continuously recording time-domain data
to internal flash memory.

To terminate the recording session, press the ENTER key. The Vib Tool displays several messages while
it halts it’s acquisition module and closes the recorded data file. Do not turn the Vib Tool’s power off until
the file closing process has completed.

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The tool displays the CLOSING FILE / PLEASE WAIT message, followed by a file closed message which
includes the filename (FILE VIB0004.DAT / CLOSED). Pressing the ENTER key will clear this message
and display a message indicating the amount of time-domain data recorded (RECORDED / 00:10:32). Press
the ENTER key to clear this message and return to the Main Menu.

Press ENTER at the MAIN MENU / CONNECT VIBPLOT message to prepare the Vib Tool for uploading
the data file to the PC using the VibPlot Application (see the Connecting VibPlot to the Vib Tool section).

1.3.2 Setting the Clock

Recorded data files are marked with the time and date when recording was initiated. The time and date used
is from the Vib Tool’s internal real-time clock. If the Vib Tool clock is not set properly, the file will reflect the
incorrect recording time.

The Vib Tool’s clock is set at the factory to Arizona, USA time. The end user should re-set the Vib Tool clock
prior to starting a recording session. Use the MAIN MENU / SET TIME/DATE option to set the tools clock.

The tool displays ENTER DATE: / MM/DD/YY, with a cursor under the first month digit. Use the UP / DOWN
arrow keys to adjust the current digit. Press the ENTER key to advance to the next digit. Each press of the
ENTER key advances the cursor to the next digit in the month / day / year. When the second digit of the
year is set, the enter key causes the display to change to the current time.

The tool displays ENTER TIME: / HH:MM, with a cursor under the first hour digit. Use the UP / DOWN arrow
keys to adjust the current digit. Press the ENTER key to advance to the next digit. Each press of the
ENTER key advances the cursor to the next digit in the hour / minute. When the second digit of the minute
is set, the enter key causes the display to change back to the Main Menu.

1.3.3 Recharging the Batteries

The Vib Tool contains a set of rechargeable batteries that must be periodically recharged. The batteries are
changed at the factory, but may require recharging after shipping. Initiate the charge cycle by navigating
to the MAIN MENU / RECHARGE CELLS option. Press the ENTER key to display RECHARGE MENU /
BEGIN RECHARGE. Press ENTER again to start the charge cycle.

While charging, the Vib Tool displays a message in the form CHARGE MAX 7.9 V / 7.9 V 29 C. The voltage
level displayed on the top line is the maximum voltage reading at the current stage of the recharge cycle.
The voltage level on the second line is the current voltage reading. The current battery temperature is also
displayed. Every five seconds, the display shows the current charge time.

The Vib Tool charge algorithm continuously monitors the charge voltage and battery temperature. The
charge cycle will automatically terminate based on several factors. Maximum charge time is five hours.
When the charge cycle terminates, a status code is displayed, along with the charge time. Press ENTER
to return to the Main Menu.

2 Starting VibPlot
Start VibPlot by clicking on the VibPlot icon. The VibPlot application requires a license key. If this is the first
time the application is started, a license key must be requested from GCI.

By default, VibPlot opens with a blank graphics window. Optionally, a file name can be passed as a
command line argument, which causes VibPlot to attempt to open the data file as it starts. For example,
dragging a recorded time-domain data file onto the VibPlot desktop icon will launch VibPlot and open the
selected file.

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3 Default Analysis Display

The VibPlot graphics display is split into three sections. Each section can display recorded data in a
particular graph format, depending on the current View Option settings (see View Menu Options below).
The three sections are the Average Window, the Time-Domain Window, and the Frequency Analysis
Window.

For the currently opened data file, the Serial Number and Firmware Version of the recording Vib Tool is
displayed in the upper left corner of the Average Window.

Figure 5 - Default Analysis Display

3.1 Average Window

The Average Window is displayed at the top of the graphics window. By default, VibPlot displays RMS vs.
Time in the Average Window.

The Average Window displays reduced recorded data in RMS, legacy RMS (summing mode), legacy True
RMS, or legacy Peak formats. Each data point represents ½ seconds of time-domain data reduced using
the selected calculation mode. When displaying one of the Legacy modes, the data displayed is equivalent
to data recorded by legacy Vib Tools (prior to firmware version 5.0).

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3.1.1 Time-Slice Cursor

While the initial Average Window displays data covering the entire
recorded data set, the Time-Domain and Frequency Analysis Windows
display data from a single ½ seconds of recorded data. To select the
desired ½ second of data to display in the lower two windows, the
Average Window provides the Time-Slice Cursor.

The Time-Slice Cursor (Figure 6) consists of a vertical orange line

displayed in the Average Window. It selects the time slice that the Time-
Domain and Frequency Analysis Windows display.

Position the mouse cursor in the Average Window and click the left
mouse button to move the Time-Slice Cursor to a specific time slice.
Use the left and right arrow keys on the keyboard to move the Time-
Slice Cursor incrementally by one time slice.

As the Time-Slice Cursor is moved, the graphs displayed in the Time-

Domain and Frequency Analysis Windows are updated.
Figure 6 - Time Slice Cursor
3.1.2 Zooming In

VibPlot displays the entire data set in

the Average Window when a data file
is first opened. To zoom to a
particular area of the data, click the left
mouse button on the left side of the
area of interest in the Average
Window. While holding down the left
mouse button, drag the mouse to the
right side of the area of interest and
release the left mouse button.

The zoom area is highlighted in red as

shown in Figure 7. When you release
the left mouse button, the Average
Window will zoom to the selected area.
Click the right mouse button anywhere
in the Average Window to restore the
view of the entire data set.

The Zoom option is only available in

the Average Window. The Time-
Domain and Frequency Analysis Figure 7 - Zooming In
Windows cannot be zoomed.

3.2 Time-Domain Window

The Time-Domain Window is displayed in the middle of the graphics window. By default, VibPlot displays
Amplitude vs. Time of the Time-Domain data in this window.

The Amplitude vs. Time plot in the Time-Domain Window displays the expanded data at the time-slice
selected by the Time-Slice Cursor. The Time-Domain Window initially shows a full second of time-domain
data, showing events prior to and after the selected time-slice. The quarter seconds before and after the
current time-slice are shaded gray in the Time-Domain Window.

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Alternately, using options in the Analysis Menu, the Time-Domain Window can display up to 60 seconds
of time-domain data. This expanded display of time-domain data can be used to get a broader picture of
the time-domain events before and after the currently selected time-slice. Time-domain data for the selected
time slice is always displayed on a white background, with data before and after shaded gray. The gray
bands expand significantly when displaying longer periods of time-domain data.

3.3 Frequency Analysis Window

The Frequency Analysis Window is displayed at the bottom of the graphics window. By default, VibPlot
displays Amplitude vs. Frequency in the Frequency Analysis Window.

The Amplitude vs Frequency plot in the Frequency Analysis Window displays the expanded data at the time-
slice selected by the Time-Slice Cursor. The Frequency Analysis Window shows the results of a 256 point
FFT on the ½ second worth of data selected by the Time-Slice Cursor.

4 VibPlot Menu Options

A horizontal menu is displayed at the top of the screen which includes File, Edit, View, and Analysis menu
options.

4.1 File Menu

The File Menu provides options related to recorded data files. These
options allow the user to open previously uploaded time-domain data
files, connect to the GCI Vib Tool to upload recorded data files, Save
and Export the current data file in various graphical and text formats,
print the currently displayed graphs and exit the VibPlot Application.

4.1.1 Open

Opens a previously uploaded data set. This option displays a standard

Windows File Open dialog box. Browse to the folder that contains
previously uploaded vibration data files. Select a file and then select the
Open button. VibPlot opens the selected data file and displays its data
as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 8 - File Menu
VibPlot displays the name of the open file in the upper left corner (in this
example, sample-1.dat). A Status Bar is provided at the bottom of the VibPlot Window. It displays the
coordinates of the current Mouse Cursor position in units that are context sensitive to the Window that the
Mouse Cursor is positioned in.

Due to the potentially large size of recorded time-

domain data sets, VibPlot will automatically divide large
recorded files into multiple smaller files. This is done to
minimize the latency experienced when displaying large
amounts of time domain data.

When first opened, recorded data sets greater than 1

hours long will be divided into multiple 1 hour
(maximum) data files.

The new files will be automatically named using the

base file name, plus the time and date of the first data
point in the file. For example, a large data file named
VIB0048.DAT might be divided into two files named: Figure 9 - File Open Menu

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VIB0048-20091019083313.DAT
(data recorded at 10/19/2009 - 08:33:13)

VIB0048-20091019092813.DAT
(for continuing data at 09:28:13)

The data in the smaller files overlap by several minutes to aid in analysis. VibPlot opens the first smaller
data file and displays its data. The original long file is not altered. A warning message is displayed
indicating that the original file has been divided.

4.1.2 Connect to Vib Tool

This option provides the connection between the

VibPlot Application and the GCI Vib Tool. Use this
option to manage the Vib Tool’s internal flash memory.

Connect the Vib Tool’s communications port connector

(female DB-9) to an available PC COM port using a
straight through, 9-pin, male to female communications
cable (provided). Power up the Vib Tool and advance
to the MAIN MENU / CONNECT VIBPLOT option.

Press the ‘Enter’ key to display the USE VIBPLOT

MENU / ENTER TO ABORT message. With the Vib
Tool in this condition, open the Connect to Vib Tool
dialog box using the Connect to Vib Tool menu option.
Figure 10 - Connect To Vib Tool
On VibPlot’s Connect to Vib Tool dialog box, use the
Ports: drop-down list, select the COM port connected to the Vib Tool, then press the Connect button. This
instructs the VibPlot Application to attempt to connect to the Vib Tool.

If the connection is successful, the Files: drop-down list

is populated with a listing of all data files stored on the
Vib Tool’s internal flash memory. Three additional
buttons are displayed below the Files: drop-down list
(Figure 11).

If the connection attempt fails, verify the connection

between the PC and the Vib Tool. Confirm that the Vib
Tool is displaying the USE VIBPLOT MENU / ENTER
TO ABORT message.

4.1.2.1 Files List - Viewing the List of Data Files

When the VibPlot Application successfully connects to

the Vib Tool, it requests a listing of all recorded data Figure 11 - Connected to Vib Tool
files currently on the tool. Data files are listed in
reverse order by recording date and time, with the most recently recorded files listed first.

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Figure 12 shows the Files: drop-down list populated

with the contents of a connected Vib Tool. Each line in
the drop-down list contains information from one data
file. The filename, the time and date the file was
recorded, and the file size are all displayed.

An asterisk is added to the far right of the file

information if the filename is found in the current
working directory on the PC. This allows the user to
quickly see which files have already been uploaded to
the PC (assuming the current directory contains files
from only one Vib Tool).

4.1.2.2 Upload Button - Uploading a Recorded Data

File Figure 12 - Files List

To upload a recorded data file to the PC, first select the desired
file from the Files: drop-down list, then press the Upload button.
A standard Windows Save As dialog box is displayed, allowing
the user to select the location and name of the uploaded data
file. If the selected filename is not found in the current
directory, the file upload process will begin immediately.

A progress dialog box is displayed showing the estimated

upload time. As the file is uploaded, the progress bar advances
from left to right, and the remaining time counts down.
Figure 13 - Progress Dialog
When the file upload completes, the upload progress dialog is
removed and a Completed message is displayed. Uploaded data files remain on the Vib Tool’s internal
storage until deleted by the user.

If the selected filename exists in the current directory, a warning message is displayed asking if the user
wishes to overwrite the existing file. If the user confirms the overwrite, the upload will begin and the existing
file will be overwritten.

Uploaded data files retain the internal Vib Tool filename (VIB####.DAT), with a file creation time and date
set to the time the recording session was initiated (based on the Vib Tool’s internal real time clock settings).
It is a good practice to rename the uploaded data file using a more descriptive file name. This enables the
user to provide a description of the recording session in the file name, and ensure that future uploads from
the Vib Tool do not inadvertently overwrite an important file.

4.1.2.3 Removing Files from Internal Vib Tool Storage

The Vib Tool includes an internal 1 GB flash memory used for data storage. Data files can remain on the
Vib Tool indefinitely, but do reduce the available space for new recordings. Vib Tool recording sessions are
limited to the available space on its internal storage, up to a maximum of 24 hours. When the Vib Tool is
powered up, a message is displayed listing the maximum recording time available based on current storage
usage.

If the internal storage fills, the maximum available recording time may fall below the users desired recording
session. At this point, old data files can be removed from the Vib Tool to increase available storage, allowing
for longer recording sessions.

VibPlot provides two option buttons on the Connect to Vib Tool dialog box that can be used to remove old
data files from the Vib Tool. The Delete option button deletes the currently selected data file (using the File:
drop-down list). The Delete All button deletes all data files from the Vib Tool.

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4.1.2.3.1 Delete Button

When selected, the Delete button will first display a dialog box
asking the user to confirmation his choice to delete a file. If the
user confirms his deletion request, the selected file is removed
from the Vib Tool.

4.1.2.3.2 Delete All Button

When the Vib Tool powers up, it checks it’s internal storage to Figure 14 - Delete Confirmation
determine the largest filename number currently on the system.
The Vib Tool uses this number to initialize it’s File Number
value. It uses this value when creating new data files. New data files are automatically named based on
the current Vib Tool File Number. When internal storage is empty, the File Number is reset to 1. With each
new recorded file, the File Number is incremented. The first file created by the Vib Tool is named
VIB0001.DAT. The second is named VIB0002.DAT, etc. This numbering sequence continues as new files
are created.

The Delete All button removes all data files from the Vib Tool. It additionally resets the Vib Tool’s File
Number value. If the user elects to delete all files from the Vib Tool, file naming resets to VIB0001.DAT.
Care must be taken to ensure that files previously uploaded to the PC are not overwritten due to a reset in
the Vib Tool’s File Number value.

Pressing the Delete All button will first display a dialog box
asking the user to confirmation his choice to delete all data files
from the Vib Tool. If the user confirms his deletion request,
VibPlot instructs the Vib Tool to remove all data files.

If the Vib Tool contains a large number of data files, the

removal process can take several seconds. A dialog box is
displayed showing the deletion progress.
Figure 15 - Confirm Delete All
4.1.3 Save Reduced Data

This option saves the reduced data in legacy Vib Tool format. This creates a formatted text file containing
one data record for each ½ second of recorded data. Each ½ second of Time-Domain data is reduced using
several legacy reduction techniques. Each record contains the X, Y, and Z axes data point in Legacy RMS,
Peak Amplitude, and Frequency at Peak, along with the True RMS calculation, and the number of
frequencies containing vibration greater than 0.3 g’s. The file format is identical to that uploaded by legacy
Vib Tool’s.
ACCELEROMETER TEST TOOL DATA VERSION 5.0 S/N 52
TEST INITIATED: 10/28/09 10:00:23 CONTINUOUS R, P, F, RMS & N > 0.03 g's
1222 RECORDS ACQUIRED
Time RMS X Y Z Peak X Y Z Freq X Y Z True RMS N > 0.03 g's X Y Z

0.0 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.02 152 152 040 0.02 000 000 000
0.5 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.02 152 152 036 0.04 000 000 000
1.0 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.01 152 152 038 0.02 000 000 000
1.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 152 152 152 0.00 000 000 000
...
610.0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 152 152 152 0.00 000 000 000
610.5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 152 152 152 0.00 000 000 000

Figure 16 - Sample Legacy Reduced Data File

The reduced data can also be saved in comma delimited (CSV) text format.

Selecting this option displays a standard Windows File Save dialog box. Use the Save as type: drop-down
list to select the desired file format. Use file type ‘Text files (*.txt)’ to save the data in legacy Vib Tool format.

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4.1.4 Export as Image

This option creates a graphics file of the current screen display (in one of several formats). Supported
graphics formats include Windows Bitmap (BMP), Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) and JPEG (JPG).

Selecting this option displays a standard Windows File Save dialog box. Use the Save as type: drop-down
list to select the desired graphics file format.

4.1.5 Export Time-domain Data

This option saves the Time-Domain data to a comma delimited (CSV) text file for import into a spreadsheet
or other program. The column format of the file is Time, X, Y, and Z. One line exists for each sample time
(512 Hz).

4.1.6 Print Preview

Displays a print preview of the current graphics view.

4.1.7 Print

Prints the current graphics view to any available printer.

4.1.8 Exit

Exits the VibPlot Application.

4.2 Edit Menu

4.2.1 Copy

The Copy option copies the current view to the Windows clipboard. From the clipboard, the image can be
pasted into another running program.

4.3 View Menu

VibPlot can display the recorded vibration data in several formats. The
format of the display is controlled from the View Menu.

4.3.1 Average Window View Options

The contents displayed in the Average Window are controlled by the

selection in the upper section of the View Menu. Available options are
RMS, Legacy RMS, True RMS and Peak. Changing display options for
the Average Window do not affect the display options for the Time-
Domain and Frequency Analysis Windows.

The RMS, Legacy RMS and Peak options display one data point per axes
for each ½ seconds of time-domain data. A legend is displayed in the
Figure 17 - View Menu
upper right corner of the graph, showing the three axes (X in dark blue, Y in green, and Z in light blue).

The True RMS option displays a single data point for each ½ seconds of time-domain data. A legend is
displayed in the upper right corner of the graph, with True RMS in red.

The ½ seconds of time-domain data is first converted into a 75 point frequency domain spectrum (in 2 Hz
bins) using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm.

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4.3.1.1 RMS Mode

RMS Mode is the default graphic displayed in the Average Window when a new data file is opened.

RMS Mode displays a single RMS (root-mean-square) value (in g’s) for each axes, for each 75 point
frequency spectrum.

RMS x =
∑ ( A [ f ])
x
2
∑ ( A [ f ])
y
2

RMS z =
∑ ( A [ f ])
z
2

RMS y =
75 75 75

Figure 18 - RMS Mode Graph

4.3.1.2 Legacy RMS Mode

Legacy RMS Mode duplicates the RMS reduction provided by the legacy Vib Tool. Legacy RMS Mode
displays a single legacy RMS (summing) value (in g’s) for each axes, for each 75 point frequency spectrum.

LRMS x = ∑ A [f]
x LRMS y = ∑ A [f] y LRMS z = ∑ A [f]
z

Figure 19 - Legacy RMS Mode Graph

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4.3.1.3 True RMS Mode

True RMS Mode displays a single ‘True’ RMS (root-mean-square) value (in g’s) for all three axes, for each
75 point frequency spectrum.

TrueRMS =
∑ ( A [ f ]) + ∑ ( A [ f ])
x
2
y
2
+ ∑ ( A [ f ])
z
2

75

Figure 20 - True RMS Mode Graph

4.3.1.4 Peak Mode

Peak Mode displays the peak amplitude value for each axes, for each 75 point frequency spectrum.

Peak x = MAX ( Ax [ f ]) Peak y = MAX ( Ay [ f ]) Peak z = MAX ( Az [ f ])

Figure 21 - Peak Mode Graph

4.3.2 Time-Domain and Frequency Analysis Window View Options

The contents displayed in the Time-Domain and Frequency Analysis Windows are controlled by the selection
in the lower section of the View Menu. Available options are Time-domain + FFT, X Waterfall, Y Waterfall,
Z Waterfall, and Spectrograms.

The Time-domain + FFT option displays two graphs. The Time-Domain Window shows up to 60 seconds
of time-domain data showing events prior to and after the selected time-slice (using the Time-Slice Cursor,
discussed in section 3.1.1). The time-domain data from before and after the current time-slice are shaded
gray in the Time-Domain Window. The Frequency Analysis Window displays the FFT associated with the
currently selected time-slice.

The Waterfall and Spectrograms options display a single graph that fills both the Time-Domain and
Frequency Analysis Windows.

Changing display options for the Time-Domain and Frequency Analysis Windows do not affect the display
options for the Average Window.

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4.3.2.1 Time-Domain + FFT Mode

The Time-domain + FFT option displays the time-domain data in the Time-Domain Window and a single
spectrogram in the Frequency Analysis Window.

The Time-Domain Window displays the 256 time-domain data points for each axis associated with the time-
slice defined by the Time-Slice Cursor. It also displays between 128 and 15,232 (depending on Analysis
Menu options) time-domain data points prior to, and following the current time slice, shaded gray. The time-
domain data is in g’s vs. time (displayed as clock time, based on the start-recording time stamp). A legend
is displayed in the upper right corner of the graph. The three axes use the same colors used in the Average
Window display (X in dark blue, Y in green, and Z in light blue).

The Frequency Analysis Window displays the results of the 256 point FFT computed for the selected time-
domain data. The frequency domain spectrum contains 75 data points (in 2 Hz bins) and is displayed in g’s
vs. Hertz

Figure 22 - Time-domain + FFT Mode Graph

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4.3.2.2 Waterfall Plots

Waterfall plots display a three-dimensional spectrogram of the X, Y, or Z-Axis frequency domain data, as
Amplitude vs Frequency vs Time.

Waterfalls display a series of spectrograms, one for each time-slice (half-second) of time-domain data. It
plots Frequency on the X axis, amplitude on the Y axis, and Time on the Z axis. The number of time slices
plotted on the Waterfall time axis depends on the height of the Analysis Window. The Time-Slice Cursor
in the Average Window controls the range of time that is plotted. The spectrogram corresponding to the
Time-Slice Cursor plots as an Orange line of amplitude and frequency on the Waterfall plot.

Figure 23 - X-Axis Waterfall Plot

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4.3.2.3 Spectrograms

Spectrograms displays the X, Y, and Z data in three dimensional spectrograms. Frequency and Time are
two axis, Amplitude is displayed as color.

VibPlot displays three-dimensional spectrogram plots for each axis. Spectrograms display a series of
spectrograms, one for each half-second of time-domain data. Time is plotted on the X axis and frequency
is plotted on the Y axis. The time scale is correlated to the Average Window so these plots can be zoomed.
Color represents the vibration amplitude. A color bar along the right side of the spectrograms correlates the
colors to amplitude level.

Figure 24 - 3D Spectrograms

4.3.3 Refresh

The Refresh option forces all graphics windows to be updated. Some graphics cards may require this.

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4.4 Analysis Menu

The Analysis Menu provides options that either affect the way
time-domain data is analyzed, or displayed.

4.4.1 Overlap FFT Windows

Overlap processing is useful when the time-domain data contains

transients. VibPlot provides 2/3 overlapping. Overlap processing
computes the half second averages and frequency-domain data Figure 25 - Analysis Menu
on one-sixth second time-slices by overlapping each half second
average window on one-sixth second intervals. This results in one-sixth second time slices with triple the
number of averaged points than non-overlapped calculations. Enable overlap processing by selecting
Overlap FFT Windows from the Analysis Menu.

Note that legacy Tri-Axial Accelerometer Test Tools do not support overlap processing.

4.4.2 1 Second Time Domain Window

When this option is set, VibPlot displays one full second of time-domain data in the Time-Domain Window.
The Time-Domain Window includes the 1/4 seconds of time-domain data from before and after the current
time-slice (shaded gray).

Figure 26 - 1 Second Time Domain Window

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4.4.3 10 Second Time Domain Window

When this option is set, VibPlot displays ten seconds of time-domain data in the Time-Domain Window. The
Time-Domain Window includes the 4 3/4 seconds of time-domain data from before and after the current
time-slice (shaded gray).

Figure 27 - 10 Second Time Domain Window

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4.4.4 30 Second Time Domain Window

When this option is set, VibPlot displays 30 seconds of time-domain data in the Time-Domain Window. The
Time-Domain Window includes the 14 1/4 seconds of time-domain data from before and after the current
time-slice (shaded gray).

Figure 28 - 30 Second Time Domain Window

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4.4.5 60 Second Time Domain Window

When this option is set, VibPlot displays 60 seconds of time-domain data in the Time-Domain Window. The
Time-Domain Window includes the 29 1/4 seconds of time-domain data from before and after the current
time-slice (shaded gray).

Figure 29 - 60 Second Time Domain Window

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5 Excel Application Note

The VibPlot Application provides several
graphical tools that can be used to analyze
recorded time-domain data. Some customers
may have legacy analysis tools in place that
use Microsoft Excel.

This application note shows how to use Excel

to read and display a text file containing data
saved in legacy forma (using the File Menu -
Save Reduced Data option).

From Excel, select the File/Open menu as

shown in Figure 30. At the bottom of this
menu, select the file type as Text Files in the
Files of type: drop down box.

Select the file containing the tool data. In this Figure 30 - File/Open Menu
example, we select vib2.txt.

Excel’s Text Import Wizard is a three step

process consisting of three dialog boxes. The
first dialog box, Step 1, is shown in Figure 31.
Click the Delimited radio button. Verify the
Start import at row field is 1 and the File origin
is set to Windows (ANSI). Click Next to
proceed to step 2.

Figure 31 - Import Step 1

The Step 2 dialog box is shown in Figure 32.
Check the Space box in the Delimiters window.
Verify the Treat consecutive delimiters as one
box is checked and the Text qualifier is set to “.
Click next to proceed to step 3.

Using the vertical slider on the right side of the

Data preview window, scroll down to display
the data. Verify that the data is properly
aligned in columns.

Figure 32 - Import Step 2

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The Step 3 dialog box is shown in Figure 33.

Click the Finish button.

Figure 33 - Import Step 3

Figure 34 shows the data after it is imported into Excel.

Figure 34 - Imported Data in Spreadsheet

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In Figure 35, the header in rows 5 and 6 have been rearranged to match the data in each column as
highlighted in yellow.

The example data was recorded while the tool was being held by hand. We moved the test tool back and
forth in a linear motion in the X, Y and Z directions for about 5 seconds in each axis. We were careful to
avoid rolling, rocking, or tipping the test tool as these motions generate data on multiple axis simultaneously

The significant RMS data for the X, Y, and Z has been highlighted in blue. The data in these columns
matches our test.

Figure 35 - Post Import Cleanup and X, Y, Z Data

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Figure 36 provides an example of graphing the data. The X data is Series 1 (blue), Y data is Series 2
(violet), and Z data is Series 3 (yellow).

Refer to the Excel help for information on graphing data in Excel.

Figure 36 - Graphing Example

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