Incredible as it may seem, machine and structural vibration (or at least a large part of it) can be detected in a video recording with incredible resolution. Our unique video analysis algorithms make it possible to detect micro-movements and convert these movements into thousands of reliable vibration signals from just one video. In addition, with our software it is possible to perform motion magnification, making it possible to visualize vibration in ways that the human eye can’t see.
The Looking Glass Technique for Motion Magnification
This new technique, named The Looking Glass technique, saves a huge amount of man-hours in studies that were even impossible before. Inspired by the iconic U-2 Dragonlady Spy-plane which has flown high altitude reconnaissance missions worldwide for more than 60 years Dragon Vision® allows you to see what many cannot and take the necessary actions to eliminate the threat to your machines, and facilities. Dragon Vision® is available for Microsoft Windows® as well as the Apple’s iOS operating systems.
The future of vibration analysis has arrived. Learn what the Looking Glass technique is capable of.
What is Dragon Vision®?
Dragon Vision® motion magnification technology is a vibration analysis software that tracks very small movements within ordinary video recordings. Through complex algorithms, Dragon Vision® compares each one of the frames of the video looking for microscopic movements of specific points. Later, it subsequently converts the results into vibration signals. In fact, Dragon Vision® can detect thousands of vibration points in a single video. Thus, making it an ideal tool for various types of vibration analysis that would otherwise take a long time to complete.
What Kind of Camera Do I Need for Dragon Vision®?
Any camera works for Dragon Vision® for Windows. Dragon Vision® for iOS utilizes the onboard camera from your iOS device and thus is limited to processing videos created within the same iOS device. Although, the better the quality of the recording, the better the results. In fact, tests made with a camera of an iPhone XS with slow motion recordings at 1 meter distance showed a resolution in amplitude of 0.1 thousandths of an inch (2.54 microns) and 120 Hz frequency (7,200 CPM). Which is very useful for 95% of common machines. Did you know that you have such a powerful vibration analyzer in your pocket?
What Kind of Failures Can I Detect Using Motion Magnification?
There are many failures that can be detected with this technique. Mainly those related to low frequencies and phase. For example:
- Imbalance
- Misalignment
- Mechanical Looseness
- Bent Shaft
- Eccentricity
- Resonance
- Natural Frequencies (By bump test)
- Electrical Noise
Which Tools Do I have Inside Dragon Vision®?
Dragon Vision® allows you to use a wide range of vibration analysis tools. View the waveform and FFT of each point you detect in your video and use the most common vibration analysis tools such as:
- Harmonics
- Sidebands
- Band filters
- Windowing options
- Markers on the signal
And many more.
Case Studies: Are You Ready To See The Unseen?
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More Options for Vibration Analysis
- Triaxial Accelerometer
- Full bandwidth 10kHz
- Long distance range up to 20m
- Stainless steel housing
- Operation temperature up to 185ºF (80ºC)
- Ideal for Real Life ODS & Route Based Data Collection
- Monoaxial Accelerometer
- Full bandwidth 10kHz
- Ultra low-noise accelerometer
- Long distance range up to 15m
- IP67 Grade
- Li-ion Rechargeable Battery
- Ideal for Real Life ODS & Route Based Data Collection
- Vibration Analysis + Dynamic Balancing
- All DigivibeMX tools in the one place
- Wired or Wireless, your choice
- Use it on up to 3 different computers
- Compatible with PHANTOM
- Connect to the cloud and save your data
- Machine Learning models for a batter analysis
- ODS analysis
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special camera?
No. Phone cameras usually have more resolution and a higher frame rate than industrial cameras, so the results are comparable and in most cases better. The camera you already carry is normally the right one.
What camera resolution do I need?
No particular one — but the more camera resolution, the better the vibration resolution. At one metre, a Full HD camera resolves about 0.1 thousandths of an inch and a 4K camera about 0.05. Resolution degrades in proportion to distance, so at two metres Full HD gives 0.2 thousandths.
What is the resolution in displacement?
0.1 thousandths of an inch at 1 m with a Full HD camera, and 0.05 thousandths with a 4K. At 2 m, Full HD gives 0.2 thousandths. It is a straight proportion, so you can work out any distance from those two numbers.
How far away do I have to record?
Close enough that the vibration you are looking for is bigger than the resolution at that distance. As a reference, resolution is 0.1 thousandths of an inch at 1 m, and a vibration of 2 to 5 thousandths is easy to see at 5 m. The farther away you stand, the larger the movement has to be.
What is the maximum frequency the software gives me?
It depends on the camera’s frame rate: the maximum FFT frequency is half of it. Recording at 240 frames per second, the FFT reaches 120 Hz — 7,200 CPM.
How many lines of resolution can I get in the FFT?
As many as the recording length allows: the longer the take, the higher the resolution. Hundreds of thousands of lines are achievable.
Do I need a tripod, or can I hold the phone in my hand?
Almost always by hand — and that is not a compromise. The human body damps very well, and hand movement is at such a low frequency that it filters out easily.
A tripod improves amplitude resolution only if the floor is not vibrating. If the floor vibrates, that vibration travels up the tripod into the camera and the video is useless. Handheld costs a little resolution, which you get back by moving closer. A gimbal is an excellent option.
Can I use a GoPro?
Yes. They record in slow motion and vibrations show up very well. One caveat: fisheye lenses reduce amplitude accuracy, so a different lens is preferable.
Can I see resonance problems?
Yes — it is one of its best uses. It also lets you find natural frequencies with a bump test and evaluate the mode shapes visually, which is far quicker to interpret than a table of frequencies.
Can I see misalignment?
Yes, and it is another strong case. Because it measures phase at every point, you see each bearing at once and which direction it moves relative to the other. With the motion amplified, the visual clarity for that diagnosis is unmatched.
Can I see unbalance?
Yes, very well. You can also generate magnified videos of the whole machine and of the structure affected by that vibration, which is usually what convinces the people who have to approve the repair.
Can I see bearing problems with this software?
Unlikely. The system measures displacement, so it is aimed at low frequencies, and bearing faults appear at high ones. For bearings, an accelerometer is the right instrument.
Can I download the vibration spectra?
Yes, in a format compatible with Digivibe MX® and WiserVibe.
Can the spectra be exported?
Yes — to ASCII and to UFF 58. UFF 58 is the usual interchange format, so the data can go into other analysis programs.
Is there an annual fee?
No.
Does the licence include mobile devices?
The Windows licence includes mobile. The other way round it does not: the mobile licence can be bought separately, but it does not include Windows.