What ground vibration monitoring equipment should I use to perform a survey?
GroundVibrationMonitoring.com recommends using ground vibration monitoring equipment made by Instantel because these monitors are reliable, well made, and well known. Instantel is a member of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc and has been manufacturing vibration monitors since its establishment in 1982. Furthermore, its monitors record ground vibration in over 110 countries for various mining, construction, and geotechnical applications. While conducting important ground vibration monitoring surveys, it’s crucial to use the best instrumentation.
Compare Instantel Ground Vibration Monitoring equipment:
Minimate PlusBlastmate III
The Minimate Plus possesses a proven track record as the industry’s most reliable ground vibration monitoring equipment. Rugged, flexible, and easy to use, the Minimate ground vibration monitoring unit offers all the functions needed in an intuitive format that makes it easy even for the first time operator to quickly setup and record an event.
Key Features:
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40 Full Waveform Event Capacity.
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Personal Operation – complete ability for you to define how the monitor operates. Anything you do not need disappears and does not get in the way, yet is immediately available when you need it.
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Multiple Record Modes – offer you unlimited flexibility during monitoring operations: single event, continuous, auto record time, programmed start/stop, and manual.
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Full Waveform Event Analysis – full field analysis of the event including peak particle velocity (PPV), peak air (sound) pressure, peak vector sum (PVS), peak acceleration, and peak displacement.
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National Frequency Analysis Standards – Compliance data can be generated for the USBM/OSMRE standard (USA) and the DIN 4150 standard (Germany), and a range of other international standards. • Full PC Compatibility – to archive, print, and perform analysis and process capabilities with the Blastware software.
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1024 Sample Rate – the 1024 sample rate ensures accuracy for high frequency blast performance analysis.
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On–line Help – informative, context sensitive help guides you through all operations.
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Rugged Design – Series III exceeds the field test for rugged, durable design with a fully sealed top panel, non–corrosive industrial grade connectors, and sealed electronics, all packed in a single rugged case. Instantel monitors have been buried; rolled off trucks; thrown down mine drifts by air blast; hit with fly-rock; run over by backhoes; and have survived in working order.
The Blastmate Series III ground vibration monitoring equipment offers the most advanced monitoring technology available with unequaled versatility and flexibility to meet current needs and future requirements. In addition, the Blastmate includes the ability for installing new features as Instantel releases them through Blastware III. Blastware III is the software companion to Instantel’s vibration monitors. The Blastmate III operates as a basic compliance monitor with intuitive functions and ease of use to help the first time operator setup and record an event quickly. The BlastMate III also offers advanced functions for specific applications where more information is collected and analyzed.
Key Features
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300 Full Waveform Event Capacity – 300 event capacity standard, 1500 optional, for one second 4 channel events at 1024 samples per second.
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High Resolution Fast Printer.
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Personal Operation – complete ability for you to customize how the monitor operates. Anything you do not need can be hidden and does not get in the way, yet is immediately available when you need it.
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Large Backlit Display – no doubts about what the monitor is doing or what you have to do.
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Multiple Record Modes – offer you unlimited flexibility during monitoring operations: single event, continuous, auto record, programmed start/stop, and manual.
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Full Waveform Event Analysis – full field analysis of the event including peak particle velocity (PPV), peak air(sound) pressure, peak vector sum (PVS), peak acceleration, and peak displacement.
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National Frequency Analysis Standards – many national frequency analysis standards come with the BlastMate III. Future standards can be programmed into the monitor as they are implemented, with no additional cost or equipment change required, using BlastWare III software. Standards include U.S.A. USBM/OSMRE, British Standard BS 6472, French GFEE, German DIN 4150, New Zealand 4403:1976, and Spain UNE 22.381. Contact Instantel for further information.
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Full PC Compatibility – to archive, print, and perform analysis and process capabilities with BlastWare III software modules.
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Variable Sample Rates – 1024 and 2048 standard for unprecedented compliance accuracy or high frequency blast performance analysis. Higher sample rates to 65,536 available with the BlastWare III Advanced Module software. Contact Instantel for further information.
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On–line Help – informative, context sensitive help guides you through all operations. • Upgradable – neither you nor Instantel can predict the future, so we have designed your BlastMate III to be easily and economically upgraded.
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Rugged Design – Series III exceeds the field test for rugged, durable design with a fully sealed top panel, non–corrosive industrial grade connectors, and sealed electronics, all packed in a single rugged case. Instantel monitors have been buried; rolled off trucks; thrown down mine drifts by air blast; hit with flyrock; run over by backhoes; and have survived in working order.
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To learn more about these monitors, read Instantel’s ground vibration monitor user manuals:
Ground Vibration Monitoring equipment and Standard Accessories:
After purchasing or renting a ground vibration monitoring equipment made by Instantel, the operator will receive the unit and its accessories. As always, check your packing list or receipt and compare it to the contents received from the manufacturer or rental company.
1 x Ground Vibration Monitor
Obviously, the shipment includes the ground vibration monitoring equipment. The seismograph is programmable for specific parameters regarding ground vibration and overpressure parameters. In addition to programming parameters, seismic or airblast events are stored and deleted on the console. Settings can also be manipulated if connected to a computer.
1 x Transducer
The transducer, also known as a geophone, detects ground vibrations on three different axes: transverse, vertical, and longitudinal. Therefore, the transducer must be level, securely coupled to the ground or a structure, and properly orientated to sense vibration and record it accurately.
1 x Transducer cable
The transducer cable connects the geophone to the ground vibration monitor. Usually, the transducer cable is hardwired to the transducer and connects to the “GEO” port of the minimate or blastmate.
1 x Console to PC cable
Transferring data from the ground vibration monitoring equipment to a computer usually entails connecting the round end of the ‘Console to PC cable’ to the “GEO” port of the minimate or blastmate. Likewise, 9 pin serial connection connects to a computer.
1 x USB to serial adapter cable
However, since most computers no longer possess a serial connection, a USB adapter comes with the monitor. In order to properly connect to the USB to serial adapter cable to a computer, the user needs to allow the adapter’s driver to install. Once the driver installs, the computer assigns a port to the USB adapter. When using Instantel’s ground vibration software, also known as Blastware, the user must select the proper port. Then, determine the assigned port the USB adapter by accessing the computer’s device manager and expanding the Port menu.
3 x Ground spikes
The three ground spikes screw into the base of the geophone and help couple the geophone to the ground. In some cases, ground spiking isn’t possible and the operator uses other methods of coupling such as sandbagging or the use of a bolting kit.
1 x Battery charger
The battery charger recharges the internal battery of the minimate or blastmate. When fully charged, a minimate battery lasts approximately 10 days in monitor mode and a blastmate lasts approximately 30 days in the monitor mode. Because a dead battery can cause severe delays, charge the ground vibration monitoring equipment regularly.
Generally, the histogram recording mode consumes more battery power than any other recording mode and we recommend connecting the monitor to an external power source when running in this mode.
1 x USB flash drive with manuals and software
Generally, the package includes a USB flash drive or CD. In addition to all the vibration monitor manuals, it possesses the software needed to perform a vibration survey.
1 x Pelican shipping case
All minimates ship in a pelican case. Moreover, the size of the pelican case varies depending on whether the rental company sends an individual unit or multiple units. Usually, an individual minimate plus ships in a pelican case that measures approximately 11x11x8 and weighs 10lbs. The dimensions above can help in determining shipping costs.
Additionally, accessories are available:
Ground vibration monitoring equipment possesses various accessories to help conduct surveys with special requirements or circumstances. If the operator wants additional accessories, let the manufacturer or rental company know in advanced in case the accessories require calibration or modification.
Linear microphone and staff
The linear microphone measures the sound pressure from an airblast. A staff made of three pieces that screw together holds the microphone. The staff’s pointed end sticks into the ground to secure it in an upright position. In addition, it is possible to use an “A” weight microphone in some circumstances.
DIN transducer
The DIN transducer compliments the existing ISEE version (2 Hz to 250 Hz) by
providing an expanded frequency range from 1 Hz to 315 Hz. Moreover, the amplitude and phase response of the new geophone complies with popular DIN 45669-1 international standard.
Waterproof geophones and extension leads
Geophones possess the ability for waterproofing and/or extending the transducer cable. Adequate notice to a rental company needs to be received in order to make this possible.
Field printers and uninterruptible power supplies
Field printers and uninterruptible power supplies are available for rent to help the operator in the field.
Alarm boxes
Alarm boxes that trigger a light or siren to notify the operator that event occurred.