One of the reasons for the phenomenal success of the MHC range is the clarity
of the detected signals (a direct consequence of the unique sensor design and signal processing circuitry).To illustrate this
we present you with some audio signals taken from an MHC's headphone output (Memo Pro and Classic models only).
First a word of explanation about the audio frequency headphones output.
Our MHC products exclusively detect activity in the vicinity of 100kHz (way beyond the frequencies that even a bat can detect)
and dramatically filter out low frequency background noise and vibrations - so how can they produce an audio frequency output
for the headphones? The trick is to demodulate the amplified sensor signal first. It is a similar principal to how an AM radio
works; the carrier is stripped away from it's amplitude modulations which occur at audio frequencies. The effect is to produce
an audio signal which is very sensitive to fault signals (such as impacts and friction) yet insensitive to everyday noises
and vibrations.
This method gives a much clearer sound than listening directly at audio
frequencies and it also has the added benefit of sounding 'right' (ie not like electronically generated pings). Engineers
tell us that they can intuitively tell what's happening from the headphones signal.
So why not listen for yourself to the three sound bites we've included on
this page for a 'good' bearing, a 'bad' bearing and a 'poorly lubricated bearing' with lubricant being applied. Provided your
computer is fitted with a sound card you can simply click on any of the relevant links below.
Of course there is a tendency for different people to interpret the same
sounds differently and this is where the advanced signal processing and digital display of Distress and dB Level values comes
into its own.
