Kistler Group
Encyclopedia
Kistler Group is a Swiss company that specializes in the development and manufacture of sensor
s, transducer
s and electronics for measuring pressure, force, torque and acceleration. The holding consist of 25 subsidiaries and over 50 technical bureaus in 21 countries.
he developed. Hans Conrad Sonderegger is the father of the current (2010) CEO. In 1959 the company became active on the stock market. Since 1961 the company started the in house production of charge amplifiers and the development of other sensors. The company made several major innovations, some of which would be put to use in the Apollo manned spaceflights, and became a world leader in the development of quartz sensors. Kistler left the company in 1970 and moved to Seattle, Washington.
s (named "channel sensors") used by the Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
(C.I.P.) for proof test
ing firearms ammunition. These sensors require drilling of the cartridge case before firing the proofing cartridge in a specially made test barrel.
For NATO EPVAT testing
of military firearms ammunition NATO design EPVAT test barrels with Kistler 6215 transducers are used.
For testing shotshell ammunition Kistler produces one type of piezoelectric sensor
(called "tangential sensor") that is also available from the PCB Piezotronics
company to be used without drilling.
Sensor
A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
s, transducer
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts one type of energy to another. Energy types include electrical, mechanical, electromagnetic , chemical, acoustic or thermal energy. While the term transducer commonly implies the use of a sensor/detector, any device which converts energy can be considered a...
s and electronics for measuring pressure, force, torque and acceleration. The holding consist of 25 subsidiaries and over 50 technical bureaus in 21 countries.
History
The company was founded by Walter P. Kistler and Hans Conrad Sonderegger in 1957 as the Kistler Instrument Corporation, but the enterprise started in 1950 when Kistler patented a charge amplifierCharge amplifier
A charge amplifier is a current integrator driven by an electrical source with capacitive nature such as a piezoelectric sensor. Contrary to what its name may suggest, a charge amplifier does not amplify the electric charge present at its input...
he developed. Hans Conrad Sonderegger is the father of the current (2010) CEO. In 1959 the company became active on the stock market. Since 1961 the company started the in house production of charge amplifiers and the development of other sensors. The company made several major innovations, some of which would be put to use in the Apollo manned spaceflights, and became a world leader in the development of quartz sensors. Kistler left the company in 1970 and moved to Seattle, Washington.
Ballistic pressure measurement sensors
Kistler produces piezoelectric sensorPiezoelectric sensor
A piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, strain or force by converting them to an electrical charge.-Applications:...
s (named "channel sensors") used by the Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives
The Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives is an international organisation whose members are 14 states, mainly European....
(C.I.P.) for proof test
Proof test
A proof test is a test wherein a deliberately over-pressured round is fired from a firearm in order to verify that the firearm is not defective and will not explode on firing. The firearm is inspected after the test, and if it is found to be in sound condition, then it is marked with a proof mark...
ing firearms ammunition. These sensors require drilling of the cartridge case before firing the proofing cartridge in a specially made test barrel.
For NATO EPVAT testing
NATO EPVAT testing
NATO EPVAT testing is one of the three recognized classes of procedures used in the world to control the safety and quality of firearms ammunition....
of military firearms ammunition NATO design EPVAT test barrels with Kistler 6215 transducers are used.
For testing shotshell ammunition Kistler produces one type of piezoelectric sensor
Piezoelectric sensor
A piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, strain or force by converting them to an electrical charge.-Applications:...
(called "tangential sensor") that is also available from the PCB Piezotronics
PCB Piezotronics
PCB Piezotronics is a manufacturer of piezoelectric sensors.The name "PCB" is abbreviation for "PicoCoulomB" which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. "Piezotronics" combines the science of Piezoelectricity and...
company to be used without drilling.