Patras, Greece | May 6, 2025 — Ommatidia LiDAR had the privilege of leading an immersive full-day workshop on multi-beam laser vibrometry and 3D metrology, showcasing our Q2 Laser RADAR system at the University of Patras. The event, hosted at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics (MEAD) by Professor Ioannis Sakellariou, Professor Fassois Spilios the teams working at SMSA Lab, brought together a vibrant group of researchers, professors, and PhD candidates at the forefront of structural dynamics.
Representing Ommatidia LiDAR, CEO Eduardo Margallo and Commercial Manager Victor Paciura were invited to demonstrate the capabilities of the Q2 Laser RADAR—the world’s first massively parallel FMCW LiDAR system for full-field, contactless vibrometry and metrology. As part of this initiative, Ommatidia is presenting its groundbreaking Massively Parallel Laser RADAR technology and its potential to transform industries, including aerospace, aviation, drones, composite parts, motors, gearboxes, wind turbines, railways, and other applications.
The workshop began with a deep-dive presentation on massively parallel laser radar technology, followed by a lively Q&A and discussion session. From there, we moved into the lab for hands-on measurements on real-world structural components.
Participants had the opportunity to work directly with the Q2 system, capturing rich data from three key test setups prepared by the MEAD team:
✅ Aluminum-made aircraft tail stabilizer
✅ A carbon fiber tail boom for a fixed-wing UAV
✅An enclosed gearbox/drivetrain assembly
Each object was scanned using the Q2’s multi-beam FMCW architecture, allowing for comprehensive measurement outputs such as:
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Velocity time series
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Full-field spectral analysis (FFT)
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Modal shape visualizations
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Spatially resolved RMS velocity maps
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3D point clouds colorized by micron-level distance, vibrometry, and intensity
Students and researchers were able to operate the system, perform live analysis, and see otherwise-invisible vibration patterns emerge before their eyes.
Hands-On with the Q2 Laser RADAR
The intuitive design of the Q2 Laser Radar, combined with the user-friendly Atelier software, allowed attendees to capture and analyze data with no prior training required. Its exceptional portability enabled us to swiftly move between multiple test objects, scanning each with ease. As a result, we accomplished in one day what would typically take weeks using traditional accelerometers or single-beam laser Doppler vibrometers.
Massively Parallel Q Laser Radar in Acoustic & 3D Vibometry
The Q2 Laser Radar revolutionizes long-range vibrometry testing by enabling users to perform advanced vibration studies of complex structures from various materials, including composites.
With a lightweight design (< 7 kg) and easy installation on mobile metrology tripods and custom setups, it streamlines workflows by replacing multiple instruments, delivering unmatched precision and efficiency in static and dynamic applications.
Q2 Key Performance & Features
🔹 Measurement Range: 1.0m to 50m with Autofocus
🔹 Exceptional Accuracy: Down to 20μm +6 μm/m – exceeding conventional laser scanners
🔹 Acquisition Speed: from 65-28 to 25,600 points per second,
🔹 Rotating Scanner Head in Elevation & Azimuth Axes: Handles complex shapes, surfaces, and materials effortlessly
Measuring Vibrations in Rotating Shafts Matters - Here is Why
Vibrations in rotating shafts—such as those found in drivetrains, gearboxes, turbines, motors, and other rotating machinery—are critical indicators of performance, structural integrity, and early-stage failures.
These vibrations often stem from imbalances, misalignments, gear defects, looseness, or bearing wear. If undetected, they can lead to reduced efficiency, unplanned downtime, component failure, and even catastrophic system damage.
In safety-critical or high-cost applications like aviation, hydropower, wind energy, and transportation, understanding how a shaft vibrates under real operating conditions is essential for:
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Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring
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Root-cause failure analysis
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Performance optimization
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Extended equipment lifespan
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Safety assurance
How the Q2 Multi-Beam Laser Radar Transforms Vibration Testing
The Q2 Laser Radar provides a breakthrough approach to measuring vibrations in rotating shafts by offering non-contact, full-field, and high-resolution capabilities that traditional tools like accelerometers or single-point laser vibrometers can’t match.
Want to Find Out how the Massively Parallel Laser Radar by Ommatidia can advance your research? - contact us
The Q2 Multi-Beam Laser Radar revolutionizes non-destructive vibrometry by utilizing 65 to 128 parallel FMCW laser channels for high-resolution scanning. The Q Series harnesses FMCW technology to deliver micron-level 3D metrology, uniting the capabilities of multiple instruments into a single, compact, and portable tool.
We warmly invite researchers from universities and research institutes around the world to connect with us at Ommatidia LiDAR, just as Professor Ioannis Sakellariou from MEAD at the University of Patras recently did.
Our highly productive workshop proved mutually beneficial, opening up exciting new research avenues for the MEAD Team that will soon lead to advances across fields such as aerospace, aviation, drones, composite materials, motors, gearboxes, wind turbines, railways, and beyond. At Ommatidia, we are committed to making our breakthrough technology—the Massively Parallel FMCW Laser Radar—accessible to the global research community and to industry users who until now have been limited by traditional accelerometers or single-beam laser Doppler vibrometers. Don’t let outdated tools constrain your work. Accelerate your discoveries and achieve deeper insights with our Q Series of Multi-Beam Laser Vibrometers and 3D Metrology Scanners.
Reach out today—we’re excited to explore how we can support your research.
Massively Parallel FMCW Laser RADAR
Helps Researchers To Bridge the Gap
Between Academic Curiosity
& Industrial Applications
What made the day truly stand out was the depth of conversation and the wide applicability of the Q2 across domains. While our tests centered on aviation and drivetrain components, the MEAD team’s broader research into rail transport, floating wind turbines, composite materials, and rotating machinery revealed natural synergy with Ommatidia LiDAR’s mission.
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Non-Destructive Vibration Testing of Rotating Machinery
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Captures multi-point vibration data across rotating shafts and gearbox housings, enabling detection of imbalances, misalignments, anomalies, and defects without halting operation.
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Ideal for testing reciprocating engines and rotating machinery, it provides high-resolution insight into complex motion dynamics, including torsional and bending modes that traditional sensors may miss.
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Reduces setup time and increases test coverage, making it possible to scan moving components from a safe distance—streamlining non-destructive testing in industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications.
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Aircraft & Aerospace Structural Health Monitoring
- In aerospace engineering, LDV is used to measure the vibrational behavior of fuselage panels, wings, and engine casings, helping in reducing aeroacoustic noise and structural fatigue.
- Essential in turbine noise analysis, LDV allows engineers to measure how acoustic waves propagate through metallic and composite materials, aiding in the design of quieter and more efficient aircraft.
- By mapping vibrations across the aircraft’s surface, LDV helps identify and mitigate vibration-induced fatigue, improving the aircraft’s durability, safety, and in-flight comfort.
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Structural monitoring of Wind Turbines
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Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) combined with Multi-Beam Laser Radar technologies are transforming the structural health monitoring of wind turbines—both onshore and offshore—by enabling fast, non-contact, and high-resolution vibration analysis.
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Detects early signs of mechanical degradation, such as imbalance, misalignment, or bearing wear in rotating components like shafts, gearboxes, and generators—critical for predictive maintenance and minimizing downtime.
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Monitors blade dynamics and tower vibrations, capturing how environmental loads (wind, turbulence, and gusts) affect structural integrity and long-term performance.
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Enables safe, remote testing of large-scale turbines without physical sensors or scaffolding, reducing inspection time and improving reliability in harsh or hard-to-access environments.
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Diagnostics for Railway Suspensions
- In the automotive industry, laser doppler vibrometry (LDV) is used to analyze how structural components vibrate and contribute to overall vehicle noise.
- It helps in detecting resonance frequencies and structural-borne noise sources from panels, dashboards, doors, and engine compartments.
- LDV assists engineers in optimizing materials and design, ensuring vehicles are quieter, more comfortable, and have better acoustic insulation.
- Advanced applications include active noise cancellation system development and electric vehicle (EV) acoustics, where motor whine and road noise are key concerns due to the absence of traditional combustion engine masking noise.
