ISO 16063-31:2009

Overview

ISO 16063-31:2009 defines methods and instrumentation for testing transverse vibration sensitivity of rectilinear velocity and acceleration transducers (e.g., accelerometers). The standard specifies procedures to determine a transducer’s sensitivity to vibration in the plane perpendicular to its geometric axis, the maximum transverse sensitivity, and the angle at which that maximum occurs. Methods include single‑axis, two‑axis (turntable or X–Y generators) and tri‑axial excitation, and tests can be performed without remounting the transducer to minimize mounting uncertainty. The standard covers frequencies from 1 Hz to 5 kHz and broad dynamic ranges (frequency-dependent acceleration and velocity limits) and supports comparison calibrations to a reference transducer or laser interferometer.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability: Rectilinear velocity and acceleration transducers; transverse sensitivity in the plane perpendicular to the sensitive axis.
• Test methods:
  • Single‑axis vibration exciter with rotating fixtures (e.g., octahedral fixture).
  • Vibration exciter with turntable (mechanical carriage/turntable systems).
  • X–Y (two‑axis) and tri‑axial vibration exciters for multi‑axis simulation.
• Measurement objectives:
  • Determine maximum transverse sensitivity and its orientation angle.
  • Calculate the ratio of transverse sensitivity to axial sensitivity.
  • Measure without re‑mounting to reduce uncertainty from repeated mounting.
• Reference methods: Comparison to a calibrated reference transducer and laser interferometry.
• Performance and uncertainty:
  • Intended frequency range: 1 Hz to 5 kHz.
  • Expanded uncertainty target: 0.1% (k = 2) of the test transducer’s axial sensitivity when achievable.
• Instrumentation considerations: Fixture design, transverse motion limits of the exciter, monitoring of exciter motion, and suitable amplitude/frequency choices.

Applications and Users

Who uses ISO 16063-31:

• Calibration laboratories and national metrology institutes performing accredited accelerometer calibrations.
• Accelerometer and sensor manufacturers for product testing and quality control.
• Test engineers in aerospace, automotive, industrial vibration monitoring, and condition‑monitoring sectors.
• R&D teams validating multi‑axial sensor performance and cross‑axis rejection.

Practical uses:

• Ensuring accurate accelerometer calibration for multi‑axial vibration environments.
• Quantifying cross‑axis sensitivity for sensor selection and system error budgeting.
• Simulating real application conditions using tri‑axial excitation to measure axial and transverse responses simultaneously.

Related Standards

• ISO 16063-1:1998 - Basic concepts for calibration of vibration and shock transducers
• ISO 16063-11, -12, -13, -15, -21, -22, -41 - Other parts covering primary calibration methods, comparison techniques and laser vibrometer calibration

Keywords: ISO 16063-31, transverse vibration sensitivity, vibration transducer calibration, accelerometer calibration, tri-axial vibration exciter, laser interferometer, reference transducer, vibration metrology, cross-axis sensitivity.