Reducing Downtime and Improving Vehicle Comfort with Test and Measurement MEMS DC Accelerometers

Semi-truck manufacturers are under constant pressure to deliver quieter, smoother, and more durable vehicles while also avoiding costly failures in the field. Vibration, if left unchecked, doesn’t just diminish the driving experience. It threatens the structural integrity of the vehicle and shortens component life. That’s why one major semi-truck manufacturer turned to Silicon Designs’ MEMS DC accelerometers for a large-scale automotive vibration testing program designed to detect, isolate, and resolve NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) issues before vehicles hit the road.

By deploying up to 150 test and measurement accelerometers across key areas of each truck chassis, the manufacturer gained the detailed data needed to fine-tune performance, extend durability, and prevent future maintenance breakdowns, reinforcing their commitment to driver comfort and fleet reliability.

Enhancing NVH Analysis with SDI’s Accelerometers

Noise, vibration, and harshness are not just nuisances; they can signal bigger problems hiding beneath the surface, like faulty driveshafts, loose components, or deteriorating motor mounts. To address this, the truck manufacturer utilized a 4-poster test rig to simulate thousands of miles of road conditions in a controlled environment.

Using Silicon Designs’ 2240 and 2266 single-axis and 2466 and 2480 three-axis accelerometers, engineers collected real-time data during both design verification and durability testing phases. Each accelerometer was precisely mounted on various parts of the chassis to identify how vibrations traveled through the frame under different loads and conditions.

This granular data helped the team isolate potential failure points and determine where damping materials, structural changes, or component redesigns were required, enabling these adjustments to be made well ahead of production rollout.

Reducing Downtime Through Early Vibration Detection

As fleet owners face rising maintenance costs and operational pressures, predictive diagnostics has become a top priority. By leveraging vibration data from MEMS DC accelerometers, engineers can now catch early signs of imbalance or wear in systems like transmissions, engine mounts, and suspension assemblies. This allows service teams to intervene proactively, mitigating the risk of system failure and minimizing the financial impact of downtime and post-sale repairs.

Why This Manufacturer Chose Silicon Designs

Unlike suppliers who repurpose consumer-grade sensors for industrial applications, Silicon Designs engineers and manufactures sensors exclusively for demanding environments. Our products are known for:

• Low noise and high accuracy that delivers clean, reliable data across both low and medium frequency ranges.

• DC response capabilities that outperform traditional piezoelectric accelerometers in detecting subtle, low-frequency movements.

• Differentially wired outputs that reduce signal interference—critical in harsh, high-EMI truck testing environments.

• Long-term availability and support, helping customers avoid redesigns and manage product lifecycle risks.

This attention to performance and stability gave the truck manufacturer confidence to scale their use of Silicon Designs sensors across multiple programs.

“Everyone is really happy with the differentially wired DC accels. They did EXCELLENT on our big data collection project! The DC response on them looks so much better than our old PCB accels.” J.G., Lead Engineer

The Strategic Edge for Test Engineers and OEMs

Choosing the right test and measurement partner goes beyond just specs. Engineers need assurance that their sensors will remain stable across months of vibration testing and work seamlessly with their data acquisition systems. They also need confidence in a supplier’s ability to deliver when production timelines tighten and projects evolve.

By selecting Silicon Designs, this manufacturer gained:

• A technical partner with deep NVH expertise in automotive vibration testing

• U.S.-based, ITAR-free supply chain with short lead times and product continuity

• Accelerometers that exceed performance expectations in real-world use cases

• Access to hands-on support during integration and program scaling

The Measurable Benefits of Using MEMS DC Accelerometers in Automotive Vibration Testing

By integrating up to 150 MEMS DC accelerometers per vehicle, the manufacturer was able to gather a comprehensive picture of vibration behavior throughout the truck chassis. This detailed test and measurement approach enabled early detection of issues such as driveshaft imbalance or worn motor mounts—problems that, if left unchecked, could lead to expensive breakdowns. With the insights gained, engineers implemented targeted vibration mitigation strategies that directly improved ride quality and driver comfort. The predictive nature of the data also helped minimize the risk of unplanned downtime, while the sensors’ low-noise output delivered significantly cleaner and more reliable data than the legacy accelerometers previously used.

Ready to Level Up Your Vibration Testing?

Whether you're optimizing a new vehicle platform or enhancing your current NVH testing program, reliable, high-resolution vibration data is non-negotiable. Silicon Designs offers proven sensor solutions designed for seamless integration and long-term stability, so you can make confident decisions backed by data.

Get a quote for high-precision test and measurement MEMS DC accelerometers today.

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