Kistler Instrument Corporation, a worldwide supplier of precision sensors, systems and instrumentation for the dynamic measurement of pressure, force, torque and acceleration, has announced the North American market debut of Type 8766A, a new range of lightweight, miniature triaxial PiezoStar® IEPE accelerometers. These high-precision sensors offer simultaneous shock and vibration measurement capabilities in three orthogonal axes, with exceptional stability and performance across a very wide range of frequencies and operating temperatures.

Available in ranges of ±50 g, ±250 g and ±500 g, the low-noise Type 8766A incorporates Kistler’s own proprietary PiezoStar® shear element crystal technology, together with high-gain internal hybrid microelectronics, to produce a sensor that can reliably operate over a wide dynamic frequency range, yet offer ultra low sensitivity variation over its operating temperature range, with high immunity to base strain errors. Sensing elements of the Type 8766A are housed within a welded, hermetically sealed, low-mass titanium housing, weighing just 3.7 grams, with choice of a ¼-28 style connector for automotive applications and a M4.5 mini four-pin connector for aviation and space applications, or other environments where lowest mass and highest frequency response are typically required. Available options include a high temperature version to +329°F (+165°C) and TEDS capabilities for larger channel count applications.

With its unique performance characteristics, the Type 8766A range may be used within high-temperature automotive modal and structural analysis applications, such as transmission or engine testing, while still maintaining accurate data readings. In addition, the sensors can be used across of a variety of in-laboratory, ground and airborne aerospace applications with minimal sensitivity shift over the full operating temperature range.