Here are some facts that may help you to better understand the products, ordering process, and other topics.  If you have any other questions, please contact us at info@iLearnInteractive.com.

1. What are the product prices?
2. Why are the products so inexpensive?
3. How does the ordering process work?
4. What is so unique about our products?
5. What are Mobius' credentials?
6. How can you order the products?
7. What are the computer requirements?
8. How do I play the vibration signals into my collector?
9. This all sounds too good to be true!
10. What is a dongle (security module)?

Please note, there is a list of frequently asked questions regarding distance learning and certification here.

Product Pricing

We no longer advertise the prices on our Web site.  Because of importation costs, taxes, and other charges, we would prefer to refer you to one of our resellers.  If there is not a reseller in your country, please contact sales@iLearnInteractive.com.

Why are the products so inexpensive?

There is no doubt in our minds that we could charge considerably more for our products.  Setting the price for a product is not easy.  However we decided that we would prefer to make less per product and have more sales, than to charge a larger amount and make fewer sales. 

We realize that some people may look at the prices and question the quality of the products.  Please understand that the prices have been simply to set a level of volume, not because of the subject matter or quality, and not to be "cheaper" than our competitors.  In fact, we are very confident that you will be surprised at how good the products are; and if your are not, we plan improvements, and if that is not enough, we will gladly refund your payment.

And when it comes to comparing prices, we feel that a comparison would be difficult because:

1. There is no other product, to our knowledge, that is anywhere near as interactive as ours.  Sure, everyone says their product is interactive, but you wait until you see ours.  No static graphs to look at - you click and analyze them.  Simulators and libraries of real data make our products unique.
    
2. With all CD-ROM based training systems you will save a great deal of money over that spent to attend a classroom-based course, and with our lower prices the benefits are even greater.
    
3. Our iLearnHandsOn products represents a huge savings over the purchase of a physical test rigs.  The time saving of using our product versus configuring a test rig alone represents a huge saving. 
    
4. We are already planning improvements to all our products.  You will get these product upgrades free-of-charge in the first 12 months, and for a small fee after 12 months.  Most training products, if not all, are static - you buy them and that's that. 
   

What is so unique about our products?

We realize that there are other training products on the market.  The majority of the companies involved with those products have had long experience with product development and vibration analysis, so the credentials of the companies and the people involved are probably similar.  But if you were to read about our products, view the demo, or actually use the products, you will see that we have taken an entirely different approach to any other product available (to the best of our knowledge).

First, I think you would have to agree that iLearnSignals and iLearnMachineFaults are both very unique, and fun!  As standalone products they are great for self paced teaching.

Second, iLearnHandsOn and iLearnCaseHistories are both very inexpensive ways to get valuable experience with vibration analysis and data collection.  They are so easy to use, and in just a few clicks you can be seeing, hearing and measuring real vibration data with documented faults and histories.  And if you go into "challenge mode", you can see whether you can diagnoses the faults - and see what you have learned.

Last, but certainly not least, is iLearnVibration.  While it is designed as a step-by-step condition monitoring and vibration analysis training course, it has numerous unique features that really do put it in a class of its own.

1. While we have the usual array of high quality graphics and interesting animations, we have something no one else has.  We have created a series of simulators, demonstrators, and other tools that are embedded right into the training material.  The best way to describe this feature is with an example.  If we were discussing "mass unbalance", rather than just showing you a sample graph, we actually have a window within the training screen with real data.  You can click on it and get a readout.  Use harmonic cursors, sideband cursors, look at different axes, look at time waveforms, and look at historical data.  Sure, you can just look at it and move on, but if you want to really understand the topic, you can get it there and learn.
2. We have other simulators that demonstrate fundamental issues, signal processing topics (averaging, windowing, etc.), and more.  In each case, you can just look at it as if it were a static illustration, or you can click and learn.
3. We cover a wide range of topics.  Maintenance issues, vibration fundamentals, measuring vibration, data collection, signal processing, machinery diagnostics, running a successful program, spectral analysis, and so much more
4. The entire system is narrated.  So even if a "slide" just has text, you can sit back and listen rather than having to read it.
5. We have quizzes that help you to determine if you have understood the current topic.  The quizzes take a number of different forms, from simple true/false questions, to diagnosing a machine fault from a set of vibration data. 
   

This is so much more than can be said about these products.  The complete demonstration (only available on CD) will show you all of the highlights.  If you would like to receive this demonstration, please write to sales@ilearninteractive.com.

How does the ordering process work?

1. When you place the order, via any of the available means, a product CD will be shipped to you.
   
2. Our products now come with a "security key" (also known as a dongle) which is either attached to the parallel port or USB port.  When the software runs it will look for this device; upon finding it the software will run without further delay.  (You can read more about dongles here.)
   
3. We do also offer "network licenses" which allow a larger group to access the training system.  Please contact us for details.
   

How can you order the products?

At the resellers page you will see a list of our resellers and OEMs (companies that sell a custom version of our product).  You can contact them directly to agree on the best means for ordering the system.  We also offer ordering by credit card, but only after prior agreement between the reseller and ourselves.

If we do not have a reseller in your region/country, please contact us and we will work with you to determine the best means of ordering and paying for our system.

Computer requirements

To take full advantage of our products will will need a "multi-media" capable computer.  The computer will need a CD drive, and should support 800x600 resolution (or greater).  The computer should also have a sound card, and ideally you would have a quality set of speakers (just so the narration and vibration sounds OK).

Our products will work on 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP.  We have customers using all of these platforms.

The products will work from the CD, which means that the large vibration data files, animations and other large files can stay on the CD.  You will need approximately 20 MB of hard drive space in order to install the software.  However, you could choose to copy all of the files to your hard drive to gain greater performance.  In that case you will need approximately 570 MB (90 MB for iLearnHandsOn, 120 MB for iLearnCaseHistories, 360 MB for iLearnVibration).

How do I play the vibration signals into my collector?

All of the iLearnInteractive products allow you to play the simulated and real vibration signals through the sound system of your computer.  There is a cable available from Radio Shack and other suppliers that allows you to feed the stereo sound signal into two BNC connectors.  You would then connect your data collector to those BNC connectors.  Cables are also available that allow you to run your speakers in parallel with the data collector, so you can hear the signal at the same time.

If you want to take an accurate measurement, you first have to perform a simple calibration.  The iLearn product will play a signal with a known amplitude into your collector.  You then adjust the sound volume of your computer (via the iLearn software or with the standard Windows control) until the signal into your collector is the correct amplitude.  From that point on, the signals "played" into your collector will have the correct amplitude - just as if you were testing the actual machine.

If your data collector is a single channel unit, that's fine, you will only use the LEFT channel.  However, iLearnHandsOn can play two channel signals; the second channel is either vibration or the tachometer signal.  You can then play the RIGHT channel into the tach (or AUX) input on your collector, or into the second channel.

Of course, you can also use spectrum analyzers. 

Mobius credentials

The Mobius company is actually made up of a number of vibration analysis and software development practitioners from different parts of the world.  

Jason Tranter

The owner of the business, Jason Tranter, has been involved with condition monitoring since 1983.  He has written large scale vibration monitoring systems (on-line software, data collector software and automated diagnostic software) for one of the leading suppliers of such products for a number of years, and has written all of the user documentation.  Jason has also delivered training on vibration analysis since the early 80's, and he has given technical papers on the subject at P/PM, Vibration Institute and other conferences over the same period.  Jason began the development of the iLearnVibration product in 1999, and iLearnAlignment in 2003.

Gary Peterson

Gary has been involved with vibration analysis for many, many years.  He has collected data and diagnosed machine fault conditions, and he has worked with a product vendor giving support and customer training.  Gary has a wealth of experience, and is the Manager of Mobius North America.

Independent contributors

A number of people have contributed to the Mobius products, either by testing them, contributing to the case histories, proof reading the training material, contributing to the training material, creating illustrations and 3D animated models, and in many other areas.  We will soon have a write-up on these people to illustrate the fine "pedigree" of the people involved.

This all sounds too good to be true!

Can you tell that we are proud of our products?  We have worked long and hard to develop these products and get them to market.  And yes, we are hoping to earn some money so that we can go on eating!

But we know that it is not easy to spend with money.  You have to ask whether you will really use them.  And there is nothing worse than purchasing a product that does not live up to expectations. 

So please understand these important points:

1. It is our goal to make you happy.  Life is too short to have unhappy customers!  And we know that the only path to success is by making you happy. 
    
2. If you are not satisfied with our product, we would like to take the opportunity to discuss your concerns with you.  We need to improve the products so that the next customer is happy.  We plan to have regular updates to all of our products, and we plan new products in the future.  Who knows, maybe the next version will meet your needs.
    
3. But if you simply want nothing to do with the products, send an e-mail to sales@iLearnInteractive.com, along with your registration code, and we will give you a full refund.  No questions asked.

Having said all that, we are very confident that you will be happy with the products and with our support.  If you ever have any questions, or have some comments or ideas, please send them to support@iLearnInteractive.com.