Guide
What is a strip chart?
A strip chart is a continuous, scrolling view of a measurement over time. It is designed to keep operators aware of subtle changes and short-lived spikes that can be missed in static dashboards.
How a strip chart works
A strip chart plots values on a timeline while the newest samples appear at one edge and older samples move across the screen. The chart typically keeps a fixed time window (for example, the last 30 seconds) so teams can see both the current state and the recent trend at a glance.
In monitoring, this \"always-on\" context helps engineers confirm whether a control change stabilized a system, whether oscillation is developing, or whether noise is masking a real issue.
When to use a strip chart
Operations monitoring
Watch pumps, temperatures, pressure, or throughput in real time and react quickly.
Manufacturing and QA
Spot drift or step changes that indicate calibration issues and process variation.
Healthcare telemetry
Keep continuous awareness of signals where short anomalies matter.
Strip chart vs line chart
A line chart is usually static: you choose a range, render it, and interpret. A strip chart is built for continuous update, with a moving window and an operator-friendly cadence.
Next: read the detailed comparison.