For warranty purpose, we need to know if a device was exposed to high shock or vibration. The device could be powered or unpowered state (there is coin battery backup available). I wonder what could be a sensor. Something passive like a weight on a spring or a breakable bridge would be ideal. Piezo or moving magnet or coil could work also. Must be low cost and drain no more then few microamps. In case of trigger, there would be no problem to wake up MCU and record the event.
I recently received a fairly heavy shipment by truck which had one of these attached... and it had tripped (apparently at the "10 G" threshold). Sure 'nuff, the two saw tables inside the box were damaged... it's gonna cost the trucking company a pretty penny.
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There are commercial shock sensors used in the shipping/receiving docks that perhaps could be adopted for this if you need it to be sensed by the MCU, or just used as-is. Our Guys In The Back mostly use Uline products. Check for what's available.
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There used to be shock sensors that were very simple. Just a steel ball held in shallow depression by a coil spring for each axis. Do not know if they are still available.
I assume the ULine stuff might not work if you're interested in continuous long term remote monitoring (or even if to check a memory register when the device comes in for warranty repair??)
ADI (a wholesaler of burglar alarm equip and etc..) offers a few shock sensors. Link:
Been there and used them often. Google for "impact indicator" or "impact recorder". There are hundreds of vendors and types availiable. Some of the high end variety are data loggers in disguise.
Are you looking for a continuous record of the G forces experienced or simply the maximum force experiences? One axis, two axis, three axis, or integrated? Maximum G range? Number of events or time logging required? Maximum frequency response (for vibration)?
Lots of options. Mass and spring, or piston and friction in a tube are the most common for the machanical variety. Bursting a dye bag for the one shot variety. Piezo and MEMS accellerometers for the fancy ones.
Ok, that implies a one shot measurement with a "not to exceed" threshold. Is that really what you want? These usually do not have a battery or data logger.
How low cost? Why are you specifying the current drain without the duty cycle? Perhaps the operating lifetime and number of measurements would be more appropriate?
The sensor is fairly easy. The recorder is not so easy. Certification and calibration adds to the fun.
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They can sell you anything from a Shockwatch label to a full blown 3 axis shock recorder. I don't work there any more but it's a spin off from the company my Father and I started some 35 years ago. I designed the original ShockLog recorder which used accelerometers Lamerholm made themselves - I think the newer recorders still do.
What puzzles me is, if it is such a concern then how is it to be transported to its operation site?
I suppose one could simply employ a mechanical shock switch attached to the inside cover that could register a CPU code, and only be cleared up on commission of a service tech or some other means, like date coded crypto tables so it could be done over the phone, etc.. At least some one at the head end would then have a record of the event.
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