Sensors and Transducers e-Digest

Low-Cost, High-Performance Piezoelectric Accelerometer

Packaged as Surface Mount Chip Component

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (May 4, 2001) - Endevco's new Model 12M1A PICOCHIP is a low-cost, high-output piezoelectric accelerometer offered as a surface mount chip component. Weighing only 85 mg (0.0030 oz.), the device is engineered for integration into standard hybrid or SMT electronics packages along with custom-designed signal conditioning circuits. The accelerometer provides OEMs with the ability to create miniaturized shock and vibration measurement systems in one completely integrated unit.

The Model 12M1A's PIEZITEТ Type P-8 bimorph sensing element, operating in the bender mode, provides low base strain sensitivity, low pyroelectric output, and extremely high charge output versus size. Contact to the sensing element is made through two thick-film gold metalized mounting pads on the bottom surface of the aluminum case.

The accelerometer is designed to be mounted with conductive adhesives or soldered in place. Since the Model 12M1A is a high-impedance piezoelectric device, extreme care must be observed in shielding it from stray electromagnetic noise.

Endevco is the world's leading designer and manufacture of dynamic instrumentation for vibration, shock and pressure measurement. The company's comprehensive line of piezoelectric, variable capacitance, piezoresistive, ISOTRONТ and servo force balance accelerometers are used to solve measurement problems in a wide variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, industrial and marine. Other products include pressure transducers, microphones, electronic instruments, and calibration systems.

Endevco is a subsidiary of U.K.-based Meggitt PLC, an international group of companies renowned for their specialized engineering skills.