What is a stroboscope, and what does it do?

A stroboscope or strobe is a tool that works on the stroboscopic effect. It helps in creating a stop motion effect for a rotating object by flashing light of high intensity on it. A moving object at stationary helps study a rotating, oscillating, or vibrating object.

A stroboscopic instrument helps measure the rotational speed or angular velocity of a motor or any rotating object. A stroboscope tachometer can measure angular speed ranging from 600 to 20000 RPM. A stroboscope tachometer makes use of a variable frequency flashing light called a strobotron.

A brief about stroboscope Tachometer

A stroboscope or stroboscopic tachometer is also known as a flashlight stroboscope. It measures angular velocity or rotational speed using the stroboscopic method. It includes a flashing light of variable frequency in which they can adjust the flashing frequency light. A variable frequency oscillator helps to control the flashing frequency. They can measure the angular speed by adjusting the oscillator frequency.

To measure the angular velocity of any rotating body. A disc with different marks is used on the rotating shaft to measure the angular velocity. The stroboscope has a neon gas bulb for discharge. The stroboscope is adjusted so that light flashes directly on the marks.

The frequency of these flashes varies and adjusts using a frequency adjustment knob until the reference marks on the disc become stationary. It happens when the flash lamp frequency equals the speed of rotation of the marks on the disc. It takes place on the disk and the rotational shaft. The frequency of the flashing light determines the angular velocity or speed when we measure it in terms of speed.

Must Read: Difference between stroboscope and tachometer

What is strobotron?

Strobotron is a device that acts as a source for flashing light in a stroboscopic method to measure angular velocity. Strobotron is a hot cathode gaseous tube for discharge that consists of two electrodes, a cathode, and an anode. It has two grids, an inner grid, and an outer grid. The conduction occurs in the discharge tube. It starts when the inner grid potential decreases or the outer grid potential increases more than a particular value. To stop the process of conduction the anode potential must be zero.A variable frequency oscillator acts as a part of the strobotron circuit. It connects to the gaseous tube for discharge. Oscillator assists in supplying a signal responsible for the flashing of light. When the strobotron or the gaseous tube receives an oscillating signal from the oscillator, the ionized tube starts to flash. The process of flashing helps in discharging the capacitor C. To recharge it again, capacitor C absorbs a large amount of current. This process leads to a high voltage drop in the resistor R, which causes a decrease in the anode potential.

The decrease occurring in anode potential stops the ionizing process of the gas in the discharge tube. This also stops the flashing of the light. The flashing of light occurs again when receiving another pulse from the oscillator. By differentiating the oscillator or the oscillating signal frequency, the user can vary and control the frequency of the flashing of the light. 

Workings of a stroboscope

A stroboscope is a simple and reliable manual operating device that helps to measure periodic or rotary motions. This instrument acts as a source of variable frequency flashing brilliant light. The operator can adjust the frequency of the flashing light. The circuit is based on an oscillator variable frequency that helps in controlling the flashing frequency. Speed can be easily measured by adjusting the flashing light frequency. This allows the moving objects to be visible only at specific intervals of time. The method of the stroboscope is depended upon the dynamic response of humans. When strong light flashes on a moving object which proceeds to occupy a given position during each flash, the object starts to appear stationary. Stroboscope has a source of flashing light. The frequency of these flashing lights can be varied and controlled easily. This source is known as a strobotron.

What is a strobe light used for?

A strobe light is helpful in any plant. It allows the user to locate worn belts and replace them. Apart from belts, they also help in replacing springs, valves, etc. With the help of this light, users can adjust machinery easily too. Strobe lights help in observing and adjusting the nonrotating machinery. They can adjust the machinery to maximize the handling of products. The strobe light having added functionality for the process of phase analysis is helpful for the user to diagnose machinery and solve problems. These tasks divide into balancing, verification of alignments, and checking of looseness. The analysis of the phase is useful for the user. It helps the user to find out how a machine vibrates or moves, and using all this, a correct diagnosis of the problem is done.

Who is the inventor of the stroboscope, and what is the principle of the stroboscope?

Simon von Stampfer was the inventor of the stroboscope. A stroboscope helps to study the periodic motion and is also used to determine the rotation speed by shining a bright light at times so that the moving or rotating object appears to be stationary.

Benefits of Stroboscope Tachometer
– In this particular method, the user can measure the angular velocity without having any physical contact with the rotational object. They may not impose any load on the shaft.
– This method works best when no physical contact is possible with the rotating shaft.

Limitations of Stroboscope Tachometer
– It is difficult for the user to measure angular velocity if the light available in the environment or the ambient light is more than a particular level.
– The accuracy of the measurements can be affected if the oscillator frequency is not stabilized to provide a fixed frequency.

Thus, a stroboscope is a useful tool to bring a moving object to a still position. Many users want to get more information about the stroboscope and the stroboscopic effect. They can access the project bot to learn about the stroboscope. 

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