Calculation of the Vibration Induction Motor Using

the Finite Element Method

Marcel Janda *, Zbynek Makki† and Pavel Konicek*
*
Brno University of Technology, Technicka 10, Brno , Czech Republic, e-mail: janda@feec.vutbr.cz
† *
Brno University of Technology, Technicka 10, Brno , Czech Republic, e-mail: xmakki00@feec.vutbr.cz
Brno University of Technology, Technicka 10, Brno , Czech Republic, e-mail: xkonic0500@feec.vutbr.cz

Abstract—This paper deals with the simulation of mechanical
vibration using Ansoft Maxwell programs and Ansys
Workbench. The actual vibrations are among the compelling
indicator of failures of electrical machines. Any mechanical
failure or fault in the electric or magnetic circuit affects the
individual components of the vibration. Thanks to program
Maxwell is then possible to simulate electromagnetic field and
distribution of radial forces within the asynchronous motor.
Changes of radial forces then enters to the Ansys Workbench as
a boundary condition for structural analysis. On that basis, you
can watch the size, direction and frequency of the vibration of the
machine. This procedure may be used for simulating the impact
of any defects on the vibration spectrum. In practice it is possible
to use, for example to simulate a breaking of rotor bars and the
influence of their break. This method can be used for the
calculation of the influence of disturbances on any number of
these bars. Other common disorders are static and dynamic
eccentricity. Through the use of interconnection program Ansys
and Maxwell is possible to determine the course and amplitude of
vibration given to size eccentricity . This information can help to
monitor the development of faults in electrical machines, their
identification and determination of their range.
Keywords-vibration, induction machine, FEM, radial force
I. INTRODUCTION
In the area of electrical machines are vibration to one of the
indicators of the operating status of the device. Specifically, in
the case of asynchronous motors in the vibration spectrum of
manifestations of most disorders in both construction and
machinery in power. By monitoring these variables is then
possible to detect emerging fault at a stage where there did not
cause more damage. Based on the information obtained can
also predict the development of various disorders and their
impact on the entire set. Therefore this issue is of great interest.
On the other hand, for understanding and predicting the various
manifestations of faults is necessary to make measurements on
a wide range of engines with a well-defined error. Creating a
specific faults but can be expensive and time consuming.
For these reasons, this article deals with the simulation of
vibration of electrical machines using the finite element
method. This is a test the applicability of this method for this
application. The big advantage of this method is the ability to
simulate an unlimited number of well-defined faults without
the need for special tools. Given that the electrical machine is a
large amount of vibration sources and a large number of parts,
this calculation was greatly simplified.
II. INDUCTION MACHINE VIBRATIONS
There are many sources of mechanical and structural
vibrations with which we have to contend in the analysis and
design of electrical machines. The most common form of the
problem of mechanical vibrations caused by the movement of
the machinery of various types, often, but not always rotating
character.
The vibrations in electrical machines:
1. Electromagnetic vibration and noise associated with
parasitic effects due to harmonic voltage, phase
unbalance, magnetic saturation, and magnetostrictive
deformation.
2. Mechanical vibration and noise associated with
mechanical assemblies, e.g. Bearings.
3. Aerodynamic vibration associated with the flow of air
produced by the fan through the motor.
Vibrations transmitted to the electric machines:
1. Vibration resulting from the connection of the machine
load, for example. Misalignment of the shaft, belt drive
teeth of the gears, couplings.
2. Vibration transmitted to the machine from the base (or
other structure) to which the machine is mounted. For
example. Vibrations transmitted countries (buildings or
structures) from passing lorries, the ongoing
construction vibrations caused by natural phenomena
(e.g. earthquake, wind power), etc..
A. Electromagnetic source of vibration
The vibration of electromagnetic origin are caused by the
generation of electromagnetic fields. The stator and the rotor
produces a magnetic flux of a density in the air gap. If the
stator produces a magnetic flux:
. . . Φ (1)
And the rotor produces a magnetic flux
. . . Φ , (2)

Authors gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Ministry of

Education, Youth and Sports under projects No. LO1210 – „Energy for
Sustainable Development (EN-PUR)“ solved in the Centre for Research and
Utilization of Renewable Energy.
Then their product is:
0,5. . . . . Φ frequency noise. High-frequency noise can be removed by
Φ 0,5. . . . .
Φ Φ (3)
Where a are amplitudes of the stator and rotor
magnetic flux,, ω1 a ω2 are the angular velocity of magnetic
fields of the rotor and stator, Φ1 and Φ2 are phase of magnetic
flux of stator and rotor,, k = 1, 2, 3, … a l = 1, 2, 3, ….
The result expressed above equation is directly proportional
to the magnetic tension in the air gap. Amplitude is
0,5. . (4)
Angular velocity
(5)
Order
(6)
Phase
Φ Φ Φ (7)
Magnetic wave voltage (or magnetic pressure) acts on the
active area of the stator and rotor in the radial direction and
thus cause their deformation, which results in the induction of
vibrations.
The distribution of the winding in slots, distortion of input
current, bandwidth fluctuations due eccentricity of air gap and
unbalance leads to increased mechanical deformation and
vibration. Especially radial force acting on the stator and rotor
results in a deformation of the magnetic circuit of the machine.
The structure of the stator frame (or stator housing) is the
primary source of noise machines. If the frequency of the radial
force is close to or equal to the natural frequency of the stator
frame, there is a resonance. Resonance of the stator leads to the
deformation, which is again result in vibration and acoustic
noise.
Noise generated by magnetostriction of electrical machines
can be neglected in most cases due to the low frequency 2f, and
the high order r = 2p radial forces. However, the centrifugal
force caused by magnetostriction may reach up to 50% of the
total radial forces produced in the air gap magnetic field.
When motors are powered from inverters, leads to the
formation of parasitic oscillating torque due to the emergence
of higher harmonics in the stator windings. These parasitic
moments are generally larger than the oscillatory moment
created space harmonics. In addition, the ripple voltage of the
rectifier is transferred to the DC converter, which then creates
another kind of oscillating torque.
B. Aerodynamic vibration source
The main source of aerodynamic vibration is fan. Each
obstacle in the air flow creates vibrations. The unsealed
engines vibrations coming from the internal fan is emitted into
the air vents. In a totally enclosed motors dominate vibrations
from external fan.
According to the spectral distribution of vibration of the fan
regards wide region (from 100 to 10 000 Hz) and high
increasing the distance between the fan wheel and stationary
obstacles.
C. Mechanical vibration source
Vibration of mechanical origin are mainly due bearings
(their defects), but also a sliding joint, a bent shaft, unbalance
of rotor, misalignment of the shaft coupling, U-joints, gears
etc.. Rotor should be precisely balanced. If this condition is
met, it leads to a significant reduction in vibration. The
imbalance of the rotor causes the dynamic vibration and
eccentricity, which leads to increased emissions of vibration of
the stator and rotor.
The vibrations caused by rolling element bearings depends
on the accuracy with which the bearing parts are made and
assembled, the mechanical resonant frequency of the outer ring
rotation speed, lubrication, holiday displacement, load,
temperature and the presence of foreign objects.
Vibrations produced by plain bearings are generally lower
than for rolling bearings. Vibration sliding bearings depends on
the roughness of sliding surfaces, lubrication, and
manufacturing process, the quality of the installation, the
stability and movement of the oil layer in the bearing.
III. USING OF FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR
CALCULATION OF VIBRATION
Modeling vibration induction motor is a very complex
matter. The calculation wide variety of physical phenomena
that influence each other. This article delas with vibration
simulation of electromagnetic origin. This is a simplified
calculations of one component of vibration to verify
applicability of use and the time demands of the method.
Overall, the work can be divided into two main parts. The
first part is the modeling of radial forces in the air gap on the
basis of changes in the electromagnetic field. The program for
this task was chosen Ansoft Maxwell, which is able to
calculate the distribution of the magnetic field based on the
user-defined parameters and the physical dimensions of the
machine. In addition it is able to read to calculate the force of
the magnetic field on the selected geometry (body), torque
characteristics, motor current, etc.., This program but itself to
the necessary analysis is not enough.
As an additional program chosen for this analysis was
selected Ansys Wokbench. This program is among other
things, able using the finite element method to solve tasks in
mechanics. One of its features is that it is able to read simulate
the force on a certain part of the model and then record the
effects of this action on the selected part. This may not be the
action of a constant force, but it is possible to define the
changes and direction of action. Specifying may take the form
of mathematical functions, or as a table of values describing
the changes in the size and direction of the force. Parameter
input force vector using a table is ideal for this case. Allows
you to define exactly force acting on the individual time slots,
thus the power can simulate the effects of a variable magnetic
field
 IV. PROPERTIES OF MODELED INDUCTION MACHINE V. VIBRATION CALCULATION USING FEM
Was used to calculate the mass-produced asynchronous The calculation of vibration was divided into two main
motor Lenze Dera A-4470 Enns 3 ~ Mot. This is the engine parts:
with flange.
A. Calculation of the Electromagnetic Field
The motor nominal values are: Based on the dimensions and parameters of induction
• Voltage: 380-415V/220-240V motor was established model of the electromagnetic field in the
• Power factor : 0,8 program Ansoft Maxwell. As input parameter values were used
electric machine at idle. These values were determined based
• Power: 1,5kW on laboratory measurements. When using nominal values
would have to be reckoned with stress, which can also affect
There was not available drawings for this machine. For this the vibration of electrical machines. On the basis of this
reason, it was necessary measure all the dimensions necessary information has been calculated distribution of magnetic
to calculate (see. Table I.). Although the dimensional induction in the electrical machine. As a computational model
measurement was carried out with sufficient precision and was used 2D model of the electric machine. Specifically, it was
repeatedly, it can be assumed that the resulting dimensions are used symmetry of this machine and the calculation was carried
with small error. Due to manufacturing tolerances, however, out only on half of the engine. This allowed the use of a
these errors can be ignored. smaller number of elements and thus shortening calculation
time. To determine the development of the forces of the engine
TABLE I. MOTOR DIMENSIONS
was also necessary to calculate the transient analysis, here for a
Motor part Parameter Unit Value large number of time steps.
Stator inner diameter mm 80,13
outer diameter mm 137,32
Slot length mm 108
Number of slots - 24
Number of poles - 4
Rotor Diameter mm 79,3
length with ring mm 123,24
outer diameter of ring mm 76,5
Inner diameter of ring mm 47,36
Ring thickness mm 8,58
number of bars - 22
Stator number of layers - 1
winding Number of wires in the - 118
slot
Wire diameter - 0,6
Figure 2. Results of sulotion magnetics flux density

Model of induction motor was created using Autodesk
Inventor (Figure 1.). Some part was of modified for mesh
simplify in Ansys Worbench.
Figure 1. Model of induction machine
The result of the simulation was the forces in addition to
the distribution of the magnetic field in the stator and the rotor.
Specifically, it was the vector of forces around the perimeter of
the air gap. From the thus obtained field of vectors was
possible to determine the individual components (Fx and Fy).
After analyzing each vector at specific times created a matrix
containing information about the individual values of forces in
the X and Y in the time domain. These data served as boundary
conditions for the mechanical analysis.
Number of values obtained for one time step is given by the
density of networks in the air gap. The individual vectors are
determined in each node. This causes a problem when
transferring data to the mechanical analysis. Maxwell and
Ansys Workbench using different methods of mesh. In a
Ansfot Maxwell mesh is created based on automatic function
where the user can only partially modify. On the other hand,
Ansys provides the user with a variety of options to create a
mesh. When using several methods not achieved the exact
coordinates matching nodes. Due to the same element number
on the curve it was possible to assign different values without
major errors.
B. Calculation of mechanical vibrations
Figure 3 is the result of calculation in one moment of time.
Black point in Figure 4 shows the location where vibrations
were recorded, whose course is plotted for comparison with the
maximum deflections fourth model in the graph shown in blue
part has almost zero distortion. This is due to the fact that the
program was set up to treat the surface of the front engine
mount fixed corresponds flange motor.
Figure 3. Results of vibration simulation from Ansys Workbench
The maximum value of the displacement during the entire
calculation but reached 85μm (Figure 4.). When comparing
with the results of the real measurement, when the engine
displacement ranged from 96μm up to 120μm, the value
calculated program quite fair. It should be emphasized,
however, that the size of the engine vibration displacements
calculated by the program are only electromagnetic in origin.
Figure 4. Graph of vibration amplitude in x-axis
VI. CONCLUSION
This article dealt with the issue of the use of the finite
element method to calculate the vibration induction machine.
As it turned out using this method is very problematic. The
main disadvantage of this issue is the large computational
complexity and the need for a large number of calculations.
The value was calculated amplitude although the limits that
have been determined by measurement, but the calculation
itself was very simplified. To achieve more accurate results
would be expected to influence, for example, bearings and
other parts. Furthermore, it would be necessary to calculate a
considerably larger number of time steps. On the basis of these
data would then be possible to specify the exact course I radial
forces.
Overall, the work suggests that the use of pure finite
element method for calculation of vibration is possible, but in
itself quite complicated. On the one hand, provides a very good
overview of the entire acoustic emission structures. No major
problems, it is possible to determine the amplitude of vibration
at various points of the structure of an asynchronous motor. On
the other hand, the calculation is thus very difficult. A better
option is to link the model with replacement schedules of
events and the use of classical calculations.
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