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Precision Acoustics manufacture a wide range of ultrasonic measurement tools, including hydrophones, transducers, acoustic materials and scanning tanks.
Their equipment plays a vital role in both academic and medical research, where highly controlled ultrasonic power measurement is required.
Our Director James Hobbs was introduced to Andrew Hurrell, Principal Research Physicist and Director at Precision Acoustics, during an Innovate UK global innovation programme in Canada. Conversations during a weather-stranded trip to Halifax turned into something extremely productive.
Precision Acoustics needed a replacement balance system for a specialist ultrasonic measurement product. Their previous system had reached obsolescence, and the team were looking for a long-term, reliable and accurate alternative.
Any replacement had to offer the same level of force sensitivity, stability and repeatability, ensuring that the balance could reliably read the minute forces generated when ultrasound interacts with a target.
Precision Acoustics also needed a supplier who could support with integration, understand the requirements behind the application, and remain available for troubleshooting and refinement as the system evolved.
After initial discussions, we arranged an on-site consultancy visit, bringing with us a representative from Ohaus to demonstrate potential hardware options. The key was to understand how the balance would be used beyond traditional weighing. This application required the balance to act as a highly precise force-measuring device rather than a mass indicator.
Andrew explains:
“Force balance works on the principle that if ultrasound eliminates or shines on the target, there’s going to be a force exerted on that target. That way, the balance is a force-measuring device. Normally, it’s measuring the force on a mass due to the acceleration and due to gravity. We are using very accurate force measurement capabilities that a balance offers. We’re going backwards and saying rather than looking at a mass readout, what we’re interested in is the apparent force readout. And from force we can go directly back to ultrasonic power.”
Working together, we agreed that the Ohaus Adventurer Analytics Balance offered the sensitivity, stability and repeatability required for ultrasonic power measurement.
David further explains:
“We have mass balance, from which we suspend with an absorbing target. This target is a highly efficient acoustic absorber in water. The energy from a transducer is absorbed, which pushes the target down by essentially weighing the sound.”
Precision Acoustics now receive a turnkey balance system, setup and ready to use out-of-the-box, allowing their team to install the rest of the ultrasonic sensing apparatus easily.
✔ A fully functional on-going replacement for the obsolete balance systems.
✔ Seamless integration into Precision Acoustics’ ultrasonic measurement workflow.
✔ A collaborative partnership, with ongoing technical support and responsive communication.
