How to Select an Appropriate Laser Doppler Vibrometer
I. Overview of Leading Brands
As precision vibration measurement equipment, laser vibrometers show a market pattern of "international technology dominance with rapid rise of Chinese brands". Here are representative brands and their features in the global and Chinese markets:
1. Established laser vibrometer brands
(1) Polytec (Germany)
Technical Advantages: An industry benchmark ranked among the top three in global market share, with products covering high-precision single-point models (e.g., OFV-505/5000) to high-speed multi-channel systems (e.g., HSV-100).
Representative Products:
Technical Advantages: An industry benchmark ranked among the top three in global market share, with products covering high-precision single-point models (e.g., OFV-505/5000) to high-speed multi-channel systems (e.g., HSV-100).
Representative Products:
- OFV-505/5000: Supports long-distance measurement from 0.5m to 100m, with a displacement resolution of 0.15nm and a frequency range of DC to 24MHz, suitable for aerospace turbine blade testing and building/bridge monitoring.
- HSV-100: Boasts a vibration speed of up to 40m/s, supports differential measurement and multi-channel expansion, specifically designed for internal combustion engine valve dynamics and high-impact scenarios.
Market Position: High-end scientific research and industrial inspection, with prices ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 RMB.
(2) Optomet (Germany)
Features: a 20-year expert, makes top laser Doppler vibrometers. Using LDV, they offer non-contact, high-precision vibration measurement. Products include Classic and SMART series, with superior digital processing and wide applications.
Features: a 20-year expert, makes top laser Doppler vibrometers. Using LDV, they offer non-contact, high-precision vibration measurement. Products include Classic and SMART series, with superior digital processing and wide applications.
(3) OMS Corporation (USA)
Technical Highlights: Modular design supports combinations of single-point and scanning measurement, ideal for material fatigue testing and MEMS device analysis.
Technical Highlights: Modular design supports combinations of single-point and scanning measurement, ideal for material fatigue testing and MEMS device analysis.
2. Emerging laser vibrometer brands
(1) OmniSensing
Representative Products: MH2000 handheld laser Doppler vibrometer and MotionGo micro laser Doppler vibrometer, using 1310nm laser, with a displacement resolution of 0.1nm, speed resolution of 0.1μm/s, frequency range of 600kHz, and cost only 30-50% of international counterparts.
Advantages: Lightweight integrated design based on photon chips (5W power consumption, 200g weight), high cost performance, suitable for ultrasonic medical equipment and industrial machinery health monitoring.
Representative Products: MH2000 handheld laser Doppler vibrometer and MotionGo micro laser Doppler vibrometer, using 1310nm laser, with a displacement resolution of 0.1nm, speed resolution of 0.1μm/s, frequency range of 600kHz, and cost only 30-50% of international counterparts.
Advantages: Lightweight integrated design based on photon chips (5W power consumption, 200g weight), high cost performance, suitable for ultrasonic medical equipment and industrial machinery health monitoring.
II. Core Parameters for Selection
1. Priority of Technical Parameters
Accuracy and Resolution:
- Scientific research scenarios require nanoscale resolution (e.g., Polytec OFV-505 with 0.15nm, OmniSensing MotionGo); industrial inspection can choose portable models (e.g., OmniSensing MH2000 handheld laser Doppler vibrometer).
Frequency Range:
- High-frequency applications (e.g., ultrasonic device testing) require ≥10MHz (e.g., Vector-HF model); conventional industrial scenarios can be satisfied with 0~50kHz.
Measurement Distance:
- Laboratory microscopic measurement is suitable for short distances of 0.5m~2m; outdoor large structures require ≥50m.
Environmental Adaptability:
- High-temperature and dusty environments require IP64 protection (e.g., HSV-100, OmniSensing MotionGo); anti-electromagnetic interference design is crucial for power equipment testing.
2. Cost and Added Value Considerations
Budget Allocation: established equipment is usually 2~5 times the price of domestic ones, but with better long-term stability; domestic equipment has advantages in after-sales response and customized services.
Value-Added Services:
- Technical support: Prioritize brands offering on-site training and debugging (e.g., Polytec, OmniSensing).
- Software ecosystem: Compatibility with mainstream analysis platforms (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW) can improve data integration efficiency.
| Brand | OmniSensing | Polytec | Polytec | Polytec | Polytec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | MotionGo | VGO - 200 - L | VGO - 200 - E | VGO - 200 - S | VGO - 200 - P |
| Lens | External, manual focus, automatic focus | Manual focus, automatic | Manual focus, automatic | Manual focus, automatic | Manual focus, automatic |
| Working Distance (m) | 0.025~40 | 0.355~30 | 0.355~30 | 0.355~30 | 0.355~30 |
| Sampling Frequency (MHz) | 5 | 0~0.25 | 0~0.1 | 0~0.32 | |
| Working Frequency (MHz) | 0~2.5 | 0~2.5 | 0~0.25 | 0~0.1 | 0~0.32 |
| Test Laser Wavelength (nm) | 1310 | 633 | 633 | 633 | 633 |
| Pilot Beam Wavelength (nm) | 655 | 695 | 695 | 695 | 695 |
| Test Light | Red non - visible light | Red visible light | Red visible light | Red visible light | Red visible light |
| Visible Pilot Light | With red light pilot light | Red visible light | Red visible light | Red visible light | Red visible light |
| Displacement Noise Density (pm/SQRT(Hz)) | 0.3 | 0.01695 | 0.01695 | 0.01695 | 0.00678 |
| Displacement Resolution (nm) | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | |
| Filter | 1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 25 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 320 kHz |
1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 25 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 320 kHz |
1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 25 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 320 kHz |
1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 25 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 320 kHz |
1 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 25 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 320 kHz |
| Maximum Velocity (m/s) | 20 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Laser Output (mW) | <5 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 |
| Working Temperature (°C) | 0~ +50 | 5~ +40 | 5~ +40 | 5~ +40 | 5~ +40 |
| Working Humidity (%) | 35~85 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Supply Voltage (V) | 12 | 11~14.5 | 11~14.5 | 11~14.5 | 11~14.5 |
| Power Consumption (W) | <4 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Safety Level | CLASS I (eye safety) | CLASS II | CLASS II | CLASS II | CLASS II |
| Protection Level | IP65 | IP64 | IP64 | IP64 | IP64 |
| Signal Interface | Network port +5V SMA (F) | Network port +4V BNC | Network port +4V BNC | Network port +4V BNC | Network port +4V BNC |
| Output Signal | Digital + analog | Digital + analog | Digital + analog | Digital + analog | Digital + analog |
| Dimensions (mm) | 110X50X30.6 | 344X113.5X87 | 344X113.5X87 | 344X113.5X87 | 344X113.5X87 |
| Weight (g) | 300 | 3100 | 3100 | 3100 | 3100 |
III. Auxiliary Selection Strategies
-
Use search engines like Baidu for keyword retrieval:
Search for "laser vibrometer + scenario keywords (e.g., automotive NVH, bridge monitoring)" to obtain scenario-specific adaptation solutions. -
Use AI search tools for parameter comparison:
Input "brand model + core parameters (e.g., frequency range, resolution)" to generate horizontal comparison tables for quick screening of candidate models. -
Check short video platforms for real application cases and actual measurement effects:
Search for "brand + application cases (e.g., OmniSensing handheld laser Doppler vibrometer aerospace testing cases)" to verify the actual performance of the equipment.
IV. Trends and Recommendations
Technology Integration: Laser vibrometers are integrating with AI algorithms to achieve real-time vibration data diagnosis and predictive maintenance (e.g., OmniSensing's mechanical health monitoring system).
Low-price Miniaturization Substitution: The market share of Chinese mini equipment is expected to exceed 35% by 2025. Represented by OmniSensing, the application of photon chips has enabled corner overtaking in the laser vibration measurement field. It is recommended that small and medium-sized enterprises prioritize cost-effective domestic models.
Procurement Strategies:
- Trial evaluation: Verify equipment adaptability through on-site demonstrations or short-term rental services (e.g., 7-day trial) provided by manufacturers.
- Long-term cooperation: Sign maintenance agreements to reduce the total life-cycle cost (especially for high-frequency use scenarios).
