Investigation of Impact Profile and Isolation Effect in Automated Impact Device Design and Control for Operational Modal Analysis

A novel modal analysis technique called impact-synchronous modal analysis (ISMA) was introduced in previous research. With the utilization of impact-synchronous time averaging (ISTA), this modal analysis can be performed in presence of ambient forces whereas the conventional analysis method requires machines to be totally shut down. However, lack of information of phase angles with respect to impact in ISMA has caused it to be labor-intensive and time-consuming. An automated impact device (AID) is introduced in this study in the effort to replace the manually operated impact hammer and prepare it to be used in the current practice of ISMA on the purpose of enhancing its effectiveness and practicability. Impact profile and isolation effect are noted to be the contributing parameters in this study. This paper devoted on calibrating and controlling of the AID which gives the desired impact profiles as compared to the manual impact hammer. The AID is found effective in the determination of dynamic characteristics when the device is isolated from the boundary condition of the test structure.