Vibration Diagnostics are used to check machinery health.

Vibration diagnostics
tools helps us predict machine failures so that appropriate action can be taken.

Benefits:
- Avoid unexpected machine shutdowns
- Avoid replacing parts which are still in good condition

Tools used in Vibration Diagnostic:

1. Acceleration sensor

2. Vibration meter or analyzer - used to measure vibration

- measures the vibration signal, tells us about the severity of the vibrations
and possible machine faults

Frequent faults and machinery defects

- bearing faults
- unbalance
- misalignment
- mechanical looseness (soft foot, structural looseness, wear/loose fitting)
- bent shaft
- electrical problems
- bearing defects
- gear defects

1. Predictive Maintenance - the machine is repaired when it is really needed

- repair can be planned

2. Maintenance after failure - use the machine without any maintenance

- cheapest
- highest risk of unexpected shutdowns
- highest cost for repairing the machine

3. Preventative Maintenance - repairs are done at predetermined intervals

regardless of the actual condition
- frequent repair of the machine
- less unexpected shutdowns
- high cost of planned shutdowns
- wasting money on exchange parts

Machine Faults
- Overall machine condition related to shaft speed = low frequency
- bearing condition/ gearbox faults = higher frequency

Machine Condition Monitoring

Methods:
- Vibration Diagnostics
- Ultrasonic detection
- Thermography
- Lubricant Analysis
- Acoustic Emission Analysis
- Motor Current Signature Analysis
- Model-Based Voltage and Current Systems

Vibration is an important indicator of the mechanical integrity of rotating

equipment.
- Vibration tells us about the condition of the machine

Vibration Signal Processing Methods

- Time Waveform Analysis
- Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Spectrum Analysis
- Phase Analysis
- Envelope Detection
- Acoustic Emissions Analysis
- High Frequency Detection (HFD)

Three Parameters that define a vibration signal

1. Amplitude - size of the vibration signal
2. Frequency - number of times an event occurs in a given time
3. Phase - measures the angular difference between a known mark on a rotating shaft
and the shaft's vibration signal

Three Measurable characteristics

1. Displacement - change in distance or position relative to the objects reference
point
2. Velocity - change in displacement as a function of time
3. Acceleration - rate of change of velocity

Three Direction in which vibration is measured

1. Axial direction
2. Horizontal direction
3. Vertical direction