Week 5 – Actuators – 3B Scientific U56001 Vibration Generator

This is a make-up of the assignment on actuators.

Since I was interested in Cymatics phenomena, I chose an appropriate actuator which could be used to generate vibrations that result in said patterns appearing. That device is the “3B Scientific U56001 Vibration Generator” with a frequency capability response of 0-20khz, a robust resolution considering the general capability of the human ear to recognize frequencies between ~20hz to 18,000hz [although there are considerable variations in this range]

Here is the product manual: http://www.a3bs.com/product-manual/U56001_EN.pdf

The device is lightweight at 1.4kg, impedance is rated @ 8 ohms. If that sounds a lot like a speaker, it is because it is basically a speaker, housed inside of a metal assembly and attached to a rod which oscillates based upon the frequencies inputted. The device, unfortunately, does not generate the actual input frequencies itself, for that you need a wave function driver or similar input [a software solution could probably be implemented].

A chaldni plate can be used in conjunction with sand/salt/particulate for observance of visual cymatic patterns, which I have documented here before. One can also attach several accessories to this 3B U56001, including a resonance wire, rubber band, spring, etc. for the study of wave phenomena… one particularly interesting real-world example of wave phenomena is the “Galluping Gertie” effect as exhibited here in the pre-Tacoma Narrows collapse and similarly, in a Russian bridge:

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5 Responses to Week 5 – Actuators – 3B Scientific U56001 Vibration Generator

  1. The mythbusters sort of tried to do this on a small scale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xODgR2FEKo

  2. 37337 says:

    thanks Peter, I had never seen the MythBusters ep, but I have seen that vocal coach on youtube shattering many, many glasses without amplification! Just shows you the power of vibration. Tesla also did work on this, I believe his “Death Ray Gun” and/or “Earthquake Machine” was based upon this principle, match the resonant frequency of something and interesting things happen!

    “If you want to understand the secrets of the universe, think in terms of frequency, sound, and vibration”
    – Tesla

  3. 37337 says:

    I want to try this at home, but I don’t want the neighbors calling the cops. I’ll bring the wine and wine glasses next time… LoL

  4. Randi Sobhan says:

    This is very interesting, its amazing how sound is able to cause this.

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