SPM Spectrum on-line
VCM20
PC with Condmaster®
BMU-07
• Raw shock
values
• Enveloped • Speed
shock signal • Condition
evaluation
• Spectrum
The purpose of 'SPM Spectrum' is to verify the source of
high shock pulse readings. In addition to high magnitudes,
shocks generated by damaged bearings will typically have
an occurrence pattern matching the ball pass frequency over
the rotating race. Shocks from e. g. damaged gears have
different patterns, while random shocks from disturbance
sources have none.
Signal and measurement
The resonance frequency of the SPM shock pulse transducer,
calibrated to 32 kHz, constitutes the ideal carrier wave for
transients caused by shocks. The output of this transducer
is the same type of demodulated signal produced by 'envel-
oping', with this important difference: both frequency and
amplitude response of the SPM transducer are precisely
tuned, so there is no need to find uncertain and shifting
machine resonances to get a signal.
Signal to on-line system
The on-line measuring unit VCM20 measures vibration
and has spectrum analysis capacity. This measuring unit
can receive processed signals from up to 168 shock pulse
measuring points, make the spectrum analysis and convey
the data to the monitoring software Condmaster®.
To achieve this, up to 24 Bearing Measuring Units BMU-07,
each with 7 SPM channels, are slaved to the VCM20-24C.
These units measure the shock magnitude by a standard
shock pulse measurement with the dBm/dBc or the LR/HR
method. The raw values are transmitted to VCM20, together
with the enveloped shock signal.
In the VCM20, this signal is subjected to a Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT). The resulting spectrum is used for pattern
recognition only. Spectrum line amplitudes are influenced
by too many factors to be reliable condition indicators, so
all condition evaluation is based on the dBm/dBc or LR/HR
values.
SPM Instrument AB • Box 504 • SE-645 25 Strängnäs • Sweden Technical data are subject to change without notice.
Tel +46 152 225 00 • Fax +46 152 15075 • info@spminstrument.se • www.spminstrument.com ISO 9001 certified. © Copyright SPM 2006-12. TD-175 B
Pattern recognition:
Bearing with rotating inner race and a damaged outer race.
BPFO = ball pass frequency outer race and its multiples domi-
nate the shock pulse spectrum.
Spectrum types
One unit for amplitude in an SPM spectrum is SD (Shock
Distribution unit), and each spectrum is scaled so that the
total RMS value of all spectrum lines = 100 SD = the RMS
value of the time record. The alternative is SL (Shock Level
unit), the RMS value of the frequency component in decibel.
One can select linear or power spectra with up to 6400 lines,
with frequency ranges from 0 – 100 Hz to 0 – 20 000 Hz.
Pattern recognition
Finding a line or line pattern in a spectrum is a purely
mathematical procedure where the rpm is one factor and
the specified bearing frequency is the other. SPM has auto-
mated the process so anybody can use it fast.
The rpm is measured by VCM20. The factors defining
the bearing frequencies are automatically obtained from
the bearing catalogue in Condmaster® by stating the ISO
standard bearing number. The frequency patterns of bear-
ings are also preset in Condmaster®. Linking the symptom
group 'Bearing' to the measuring point will allow the user
to highlight the following bearing patterns by clicking on
their name:
BPFO Ball pass frequency over the outer race
BPFOM Ball pass frequency outer race, rpm modulated
BPFI Ball pass frequency over the inner race
BPFIM Ball pass frequency inner race, rpm modulated
BSF Double ball spin frequency
BSFM Double ball spin frequency, rpm modulated
FTF Fundamental train frequency.
Other symptoms can be added when appropriate, e. g.
for gear mesh patterns. Finding a clear match of a bearing
symptom in the spectrum is proof that the measured signal
originates from the bearing.