PCB Piezotronics

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[edit] History

The name "PCB" is acronym 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 electronics. PCB manufactures "sensors" which are basically small electromechanical instruments for the measurement of dynamic pressure, force, shock, vibration and sound. Automotive manufacturers use PCB sensors to measure the sound and vibration level of new cars they are designing and testing to improve quality and customer appeal.

Founded by Robert W. Lally and James F. Lally in 1967, PCB Piezotronics has evolved from a family business in the basement of Jim's house in Clarence, New York, to an engineering and manufacturing operation recognized as a worldwide leader in integrated circuit-piezoelectric sensor technology. The focus of their technical efforts primarily centered on the development and application of integrated circuit technology to piezoelectric sensors. In 1967, ICP* sensors (Integrated Circuit-Piezoelectric), sensors incorporating microelectronic circuitry, were developed and marketed. As the small business began to thrive, it was evident that more room was needed, and in 1968, the Company, employing seven people, moved to the second floor at 3311 Walden Avenue in Depew.

Soon the name "PCB" became synonymous with innovation in quartz sensor technology. In 1971, the development of the 100,000 g high-shock, ICP* quartz accelerometer was completed; Impulse Hammers for structural excitation were developed in 1972; and in 1973, the first rugged, industrial-grade ICP* accelerometer was introduced to serve the emerging machinery health monitoring market. Having established a reputation for quality, the growing Company soon needed even larger quarters to satisfy the demands of a growing customer base. PCB moved again in 1971, to another location at 5800 Transit Road, Depew, a building also occupied by three or four other companies. Employment grew to 25 employees. By 1975, PCB had become the largest U.S. manufacturer of quartz ICP* sensors. PCB gradually displaced the other companies in the building and by 1975 occupied the entire 10,000 sq. ft. facility.

During the 1980s, PCB continued to develop new and innovative products. In 1982, the Structcel* Modal Array Sensing System was developed to ease sensor installation and reduce set-up time on large-scale modal surveys. The Modally-Tuned* Impulse Hammers won the IR-100 Award as one of the top 100 technical developments for 1983. The 128-channel Data Harvester was invented in 1984 to provide sensor power and speed modal analysis by offering automatic bank switching capability. In 1986, a milestone in precision vibration measurements was achieved as PCB developed the first commercial quartz shear-structured, ICP* accelerometer. Additionally in 1980, PCB broke ground on six acres of land at 3425 Walden Avenue for its new 28,000-sq. ft. quartz technology center. The facility doubled in size in 1985, and in 1996 an additional 10,000 sq. ft. was added. An acre of land to the west of the building was purchased for future expansion and in 1999 a 30,000-sq. ft. addition was completed.

The PCB success story continued into the 1990s. One of PCB's greatest achievements occurred in 1995 when Underwriters Laboratory certified PCB to the International Quality Standard ISO-9001. In January 2002, The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation recognized PCB with accreditation to ISO 17025, an international standard for assuring technical competence in calibration and testing.

PCB Piezotronics is uniquely positioned in the sensor industry to provide a wide range of test and measurement solutions. This is achieved by combining the expertise of PCB Piezotronics and its divisions: VIBE (Shock and Vibration Sensors), IMI (Industrial Monitoring Instrumentation), PRS (Pressure Sensors), FTQ (Force/Torque Sensors), ELE (Electronic Products) with the other PCB Group companies: The Modal Shop, Inc.; Oceana Sensor Technologies (OST); Larson Davis, Inc.; and STI Technologies, Inc.