Stroboscopes and tachometers often work hand in hand as a system that can be customized, enhanced, or maintained with various stroboscope and tachometer accessories. The stroboscope emits quick flashes of light timed with the speed of passing or rotating objects so that a tachometer can count those quickly passing objects. The tandem is typically applied in applications such as stroboscope HVAC fans and other belt-driven machines, as well as in chains, roller bearings, and other fast moving devices. Among the stroboscope and tachometer accessories are specific chargers, carrying cases, and optical sensors, as well as the stroboscope and tachometers themselves, as components of the system. Items vary by compatibilities, accuracy levels, and inclusions, among other considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
A stroboscope is a device that emits regular pulses of light that can be used to measure the speed of rotating or vibrating objects. This makes them ideal for measuring the speed of motors, fans, and other rotating machinery.
A tachometer is a device that measures the speed of rotation of a shaft or disk, either in revolutions per minute (RPM) or surface speed in feet per minute (FPM). Tachometers are used in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace.
There are a variety of stroboscope and tachometer accessories available, including reflective tape, magnetic pickups, and contact probes. Reflective tape can be used to make reflective marks on the object being measured, which can then be detected by the stroboscope. Magnetic pickups can be used to measure the speed of ferrous metal objects, and contact probes can be used to measure the speed of non-ferrous metal objects.
When selecting a stroboscope or tachometer, you will need to consider several factors including the measuring range, accuracy, and features. The measuring range is the speed range that the device can measure, and the accuracy is the degree of error in the measurement. Some stroboscopes and tachometers also include additional features, such as data logging, display hold, and maximum/minimum hold.