An open-source data acquisition platform for teaching vibration analysis

The actual open-source hardware and software tools offer a rich set of options for developing didactic tools to improve the teaching–learning process of various areas of engineering. Using low-cost sensors, in conjunction with free software development tools, allows the creation of educational interfaces and platforms offering very acceptable performance and precision that help the student to become familiar with the basic principles that govern professional equipment. In this work, we propose a low-cost system for data acquisition specially designed to improve the learning experience of experimental mechanics. To achieve this purpose, we use open-source software and hardware tools to create a piece of educational equipment that is fully configurable for different sensors. We present the experimental results of two case studies: the vibration analysis of a rotor-bearing system using acceleration signals and a free-vibration study using a xylophone and a low-cost microphone. The proposed platform helps authors to complement a 4-month course named Vibration, intended for mechanical engineering students. The students who participated in the study demonstrated an improvement in their comprehension of vibration theory and modal analysis using the finite element technique. The feedback from students indicates that 84% of the participants are highly motivated to learn more about vibrations and experimental mechanics.