Audio Analysis:

The use of audio analysis as a diagnostic aid for mechanical devices is not a novel concept. Automotive mechanics have long learned to listen to the sounds an engine makes to ascertain the operating condition of the engine. In “Vibroacoustical Machine Diagnostics”, nosies and vibrations emanating from a mechanical system is recorded and analyzed to gain specific information on the system, aiding the diagnosis of hidden problems. While the AEG mechbox does not approach the complexity level of car engines, a similar method can nevertheless be applied to measure the rate of fire of the mechbox. The cycling of the AEG mechbox mechanism is a noisy affair, generating distinctive sounds corresponding to different stages of the firing cycle. By recording these sounds and analyzing the resulting waveform, patterns can be observed which can be measured to determine the rate of fire.