Immerse yourself in the possibilities of optical analysis with our advanced, non-contact, and high-resolution vibration analysis solution: WaveCam. We visualize a world where vibrations are magnified, and the invisible becomes visible. Motion magnification is more than just a technique – it is a revolutionary way to understand and optimize vibration behavior. Analyze your vibration data in the time and frequency domains to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of machines, buildings, and structures.

All you need to get started is a camera and our software to process the data. Save valuable time by eliminating cables and conventional sensors, or by avoiding the need to measure each position individually. Each pixel acts as a sensor, enabling comprehensive motion tracking and vibration analysis across the entire surface.

WaveCam allows you to evaluate hundreds of thousands of positions simultaneously. Time waveforms, frequency data, operational deflection and mode shapes can be extracted from each position. Measurements can be projected into possible desired perspective, enabling intuitive interpretation from various viewpoints. Results have been validated with finite element analysis and traditional sensors such as laser Doppler vibrometers (LDV), accelerometers, and acoustic holography.

You can visualize deflection and mode shapes under operational, ambient, manual, or automated excitation (e.g., impulse hammer WaveHitMAX), as well as transient events.

Key Benefits

  • Increase productivity by reducing machine downtime
  • Improve product life, safety, comfort, and sound
  • Easy setup, short measurement times, no cable effort
  • Simplify maintenance and enhance damage detection
  • Sub-pixel resolution and full-field measurement in a single step
  • Analysis and visualization in the time and frequency domains
  • Efficient and scalable for both small and large structures
  • Intuitive operation with advanced data interpretation tools

Features of WaveCam 

  • Discover hidden motions and fine details that escape the human eye
  • Contactless, full-field vibration and motion measurement
  • Camera-independent – import common video file formats
  • Sub-pixel precision up to 1/10,000 using artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Frequency range defined by the camera’s frame rate

 

 
Frequency range0 – 20 kHz
Minimum displacement100 nm (at 1 m with 50 mm lens)
Supported video file formatsavi, m4v, mj2, mov, mp4, mpg, wmv
Supported image file formatsdng, png, jpg, bmp, tif, tiff
Data analysis domains
  • Frequency Operational Deflection Shapes
  • Time Operational Deflection Shapes
  • Full-field Operational Modal Analysis without excitation signals (OMA)
Signal analysis
  • Time waveforms
  • Spectra (overall and per pixel)
  • Spectrogram (overall and per pixel)
  • Import of the reference signal (uff)
  • Statistical metrics such as RMS, peak-to-peak, and maximum values
Frequency filtering
  • Bandpass, bandstop, low-pass, and high-pass filters
  • Flexible combination of multiple filter types
  • Application of filters directly to motion visualizations
Spectrogram
  • Adjustable window type and size
  • Overlap settings
Motion visualisation
  • Color-coded motion maps
  • Amplitude and phase angle visualization
  • Single-frequency or full-range animations
  • Sensor point visualisation with arrows
  • Save result videos with diagram overlays for presentations and reports
Data export
  • Waveforms (csv, uff, png)
  • Spectra (csv, uff, png)
  • Mode shapes (uff) for direct simulation comparison (WaveSim)
  • Animation videos (avi, mp4)
  • Export of full-field modal and operating deflection data
Video pre-processing
  • Video player
  • Cropping, rotating and trimming tools
  • View point conversion
  • Time cutting
  • Spatial filtering
  • Pre-validation tools (e.g., heat map)
Batch processing
  • User-defined analysis configurations
  • Automated sequential batch processing

 

WaveCam supports uncompressed video files, which can be recorded using most high-speed or smartphone cameras.

Exported animations of deflection shapes – distinct results and easy interpretation with our pixel-as-sensor technology.

Multibody analysis and various display options for highlighting of user-defined components.  

Examples of Measurement

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WaveCam - Video Vibration Analysis of a Large Office Building in Tokyo

Changes in the vibration pattern of a building can indicate damages to the structure. During a visit in Japan, a video of these large office building in Tokyo was taken. Using motion magnification with the WaveCam software, the vibrations were quickly made visible to the human eye. An easy solution for quick vibration analysis on buildings.

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Video Vibration Analysis - Brake Test with Impulse Hammer WaveHitMAX and WaveCam

With the impulse hammer WaveHitMAX, a fully automatic, reproducible and highly precise excitation of the test object takes place without double hits. The high-speed camera records the video data and the WaveCam vibration analysis software amplifies the motion so that the vibrations are fast and easily visible and evaluated. 

A fully automatic brake testing system with reproducible pulse excitation and full-surface vibration measurement.

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WaveCam - Video Vibration Analysis with High-Speed Camera

Structural vibrations are often not visible to the human eye. With a high-resolution video recording and a motion magnification by our software WaveCam, you can visually understand the vibrations of the brake disc yourself in this video.

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WaveCam - Video Vibration Analysis on a Car Engine

In this video, you can see our vibration analysis software WaveCam in action during a vibration measurement on an engine.

With the help of high-resolution video recordings and motion amplification, WaveCam visualises even the smallest vibrations in complex assemblies such as car engines. The software supports engineers in analysing the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) behaviour of drivetrains in detail - both on the test bench and directly in the installed state. In this way, optimisation potential for combustion engines and electric motors can be identified at an early stage of development in order to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety and comfort.

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WaveCam - Video Vibration Analysis on a Steel Frame

This is the easiest and fastest way to perform a vibration test on machines and installations. A video is created with a high-speed camera. Using an algorithm in the WaveCam vibration analysis software, we amplify the vibration motion and then visualize and analyze the results.

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WaveCam - Video Vibration Analysis of a Loudspeaker

We tested the entire measurement process on a loudspeaker.  Never before has a vibration test been completed faster. The excitation was done with a sine sweep. The recorded video data was amplified in motion by software. The results are extremely precise compared to classic sensor systems.

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WaveCam – Video Vibration Analysis on a Wind Turbine

What is visible on a small scale - as in the measurement on this Lego wind turbine - also works for real wind turbines. Measurements on energy plants can be carried out easily, quickly and without complex preparations. Motion magnifications through our WaveCam software make it possible to visualize vibrations in a way that the human eye cannot see.

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Vibration Analysis on Bridge Model

By studying a bridge model's dynamic behavior under different forces like traffic loads and wind gusts, we gain crucial insights into its structural integrity and resilience.
Using our advanced simulation software WaveCam, even the tiniest fluctuations in the bridge's response can be detected.

This innovative approach not only allows for a more thorough understanding of a bridge's natural frequencies and mode shapes but also facilitates early detection of structural anomalies or damage.

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Octagon and WaveCam: Vibroacoustics in Mechanical Engineering

Noise and disruptive vibrations in machines and systems have long been a challenge for manufacturers and users alike. With the all-in-one Soundcam Octagon and the video vibration analysis software WaveCam, gfai tech offers two innovative solutions for extremely fast troubleshooting of acoustic or vibration problems. 
By magnifying movements and visualising vibrations, WaveCam enables comprehensive analysis across time, frequency and order ranges and thus promotes a deeper understanding of machines and structures.
Look at the WaveCam video from minute 2:35.

Benefits

  • Visualize vibrations using motion magnification
  • Use any camera to capture vibration data
  • Analyze in time and frequency domains
  • Perform measurements under operating conditions with sub-pixel resolution
  • Applicable from small-scale to large structures
  • Boost measurement precision using AI-powered analysis

Applications

  • Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) analysis in time and frequency domains
  • Resonance and modal analysis
  • Quality assurance
  • Research and development
  • Root cause and fault analysis
  • Preventive and condition-based maintenance

Examples of Vibration Measurements

Technical

  • Depending on the frame rate of your camera, a minimum frame rate FPS = 2 x fmax is required to capture the highest frequency of interest fmax.
  • Phones are sufficient for low frequency applications (current maximum 960 fps). Note: Phones might add a few seconds normal speed at start and end of a slow motion recording.
  • High framerates lead to low exposure times -> additional flicker free lighting required
  • Highspeed camera performance in  Gpx/s (e.g. Chronos 1.4) trade off - frame rate vs. resolution
  • Edges and feature points help but are not essentiell
  • Use uncompressed video formats – cut video in WaveCam
  • Use angle e.g. 45° as only in plane vibrations are displayed for comparison with reference consider 90° rotation
  • Record different angles
  • Measurement time is limited by the RAM of the camera (reduce fps or resolution to increase)
  • Bottleneck is data transfer RAM->SD Card + processing time

Cross validation of amplitudes and frequency content with accelerometer and LDV

Cross validation of mode shapes using soundcam Mikado and nearfield acoustic holography (SONAH)