April 26, 2010 - Meggitt Sensing Systems announces the 50th anniversary of the Maryland-based manufacturer of Wilcoxon Research range of piezoelectric accelerometers and vibration sensors.Wilcoxon Research was founded as an independent company in 1960. Created by two scientists from the David Taylor Naval Research Center (now the Naval Surface Warfare Center), Wilcoxon Research was founded on two principles that still hold true today: (1) impeccable customer service and customer satisfaction, and (2) continuous contribution to the field of vibration instrumentation through research, development and manufacturing of high quality, innovative products.Continuous contribution to the field of vibration instrumentation can be demonstrated throughout the history of Wilcoxon Research.
More than 20 unique innovations can be attributed to Wilcoxon Research, beginning in 1961 when the first piezoelectric accelerometer to incorporate an integrally-isolated base was introduced, eliminating the requirement for frequency-limiting adapters. In 1965, Wilcoxon Research pioneered the area of underwater piezoelectric accelerometers and introduced the first accelerometer specifically designed for underwater use.While naval applications of piezoelectric sensors are still a strong focus, Wilcoxon Research products took a new direction in the 1980s and expanded the development of industrial accelerometers. Through key innovations such as the first piezoelectric velocity sensor in 1983, Wilcoxon Research opened the market for industrial machinery health monitoring.
Today, most new designs are for industrial condition monitoring and predictive maintenance applications, and include products that have recently made headlines such as the first stand-alone 4-20 mA vibration displacement sensor for machinery monitoring. “I am proud to be part of our history of significant contributions to the field of vibration monitoring,” said Derek Carbin, General Manager. “And I am honored to lead our ongoing research and development as we continue to advance piezoelectric accelerometers for naval, aerospace, measurement, and industrial condition monitoring uses.”In 2004, Meggitt PLC, an international aerospace, defense and energy group, acquired Wilcoxon Research.
The Wilcoxon Research product range is now managed and marketed by Meggitt Sensing Systems, a brand-new Meggitt division, specializing in sensing and monitoring systems that measure physical parameters in extreme environments. Meggitt Sensing Systems is a brand-new Meggitt division, specializing in sensing and monitoring systems that measure physical parameters in the extreme environments of aircraft, space vehicles, power generators, nuclear, oil and gas, industrial installations and test laboratories. Meggitt Sensing Systems has operated through its antecedents since 1927, under the names of Ferroperm Piezoceramics, Lodge Ignition, Endevco, Sensorex, Vibro-Meter and Wilcoxon Research.
Today, their capabilities and facilities have been integrated under one Meggitt division, providing complete systems from a single supply base. Meggitt Sensing Systems designs and manufactures the Wilcoxon Research product line of vibration sensors at its facility in Germantown, Maryland, USA. Meggitt PLC Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Meggitt PLC is an international group operating in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for its specialised extreme environment engineering, Meggitt is a world leader in aerospace equipment, sensing systems, defence training and combat support products and systems.
