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2946 1633 00 - SPM Measurements GA30-90
2946 1633 00 - SPM Measurements GA30-90
1 General information
Preliminary Operations: : –
Persons Required : 1
Special Tools : –
Consumables : –
2 Document overview
1 General information............................................................................................................................................................ 1
2 Document overview............................................................................................................................................................ 1
4 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
5 General .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
8.4 GA55+, GA75+, GA90, GA75 VSD & GA90 VSD ...................................................................................................... 9
10 Nomenclature .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
11.4 GA55+, GA75+, GA90, GA75 VSD & GA90 VSD .................................................................................................... 17
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3 Safety first
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4 Scope
5 General
The Shock Pulse Method (SPM) was developed by SPM Instrument AB in Sweden. Its exclusive purpose was - and still is -
to monitor the operating condition of rolling bearings, to get advanced warning of developing bearing damage and enable
planned bearing replacements with a minimum of downtime and risk for machine failure. Over the years, the method was
refined to evaluate the lubrication condition of undamaged bearings, so that the user can not only detect existing damage on
rollers and raceways but prevent the most common cause of early bearing failures by optimising bearing lubrication in any
given application.
Throughout their lifetime, bearings generate shocks in the interface between the loaded rolling element and the inner and
outer raceway. These shocks 'ring' the SPM transducer which outputs electric pulses proportional to the shock magnitude.
A shock pulse pattern is a sequence of either random or rhythmical strong pulses (dBm level) above a carpet of very rapid
weaker pulses (dBc level). You have to be aware of:
• Oil film thickness (separation between the metal surfaces in the rolling interface). The oil film depends on lubricant supply
and also on alignment and pre-load.
• The mechanical state of the bearing surfaces (roughness, stress, damage, loose metal particle).
Before every single measurement the correct dBi-value has to be introduced in the measurement device.
The carpet (dBc) and maximum (dBm) shock pulse levels are measured during FULL Load operation (max. effective working
pressure) and for VSD's, these values are given by maximum speed. For VSD’s it is always preferable to measure at
maximum speed, but if not possible in the application to run at maximum speed, a speed should be selected that is
reproducible in time in order to enable follow-up of SPM levels at selected speed. The conditions during the
measurement should be stable.
To eliminate possible errors due to mis-positioning of the transducer, adapters are installed permanently at the
measurement points. When doing SPM measurements, the measurement device (transducer) should be positioned on the
adapter by means of a quick-connector.
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It should be noted that the real measured value is actually a dBsv value, which is normalised afterwards by subtracting the
corresponding dBi-value afterwards: dBn = dBsv – dBi.
Furthermore, it might be that measured SPM values on a new machine are lying in the yellow zone from the beginning, while
the machine is operating normally. This again shows that SPM measurements are a tool to follow-up bearing conditions
rather than judging based on separate measured values.
• [dBi]= dB: a norm value for bearings of the same kind, this is the value for a "perfect" bearing
The dBi values for the different machines are listed in the tables on the appendix.
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For new units: never decide on the operating condition based on one single measurement. Instead make at least 3
measurements for each SPM point every 1000hrs or 2 months to determine an average "base line dBm and dBc" level. In
case the first measurement is more than 15dB above the "normal dBm" values, confirm the high level after a shorter interval
(500hrs/1 month).
When the baseline dBm and dBc values are determined: as long as the measured dBm levels do not exceed the "normal
dBm" (base line dBm / dBc) values by more than 15dB ("ATTENTION"), the operating condition is to be considered as
acceptable and measurement intervals may be kept at the maximum possible: 2000hrs or 3 months, whatever comes first.
dBm levels exceeding the "normal dBm" values by more than 15dB might indicate light but visible bearing wear. Shorten
measurement intervals to 500hrs/1 month.
dBm levels exceeding the "normal dBm" values by more than 25dB indicate developed bearing wear. Prepare overhaul.
It is recommended to exchange the element as soon as measured dBm levels reach 30dB above "normal dBm" value. This
is the "ALARM" level.
When the dBc value increases, while the dBm value is almost constant, the lubrication of the bearings is getting worse,
either quality of lubricant or amount of lubricant.
Notes:
• In case the list with dBi values is not on hand, measurements can still be done (and are useful) by setting dBi = 0 dB. In this case the
absolute shock pulse value is measured and the normalised value can be derived from the measurement by subtracting the correct dBi
value from the measured absolute shock pulse level.
e.g.: dBm = 50 dBsv (measured with dBi = 0 dB) => dBm = 30 dBn (normalised) when dBi = 20 dB
• Also in case wrong dBi value is set when doing the measurement, the measurement is not lost. The correct normalised value can be
derived from the measurement by adding the wrongly set dBi value and then subtracting the correct dBi value.
e.g.: dBm = 30 dBsv (measured with dBi = 10 dB) => dBm = 20 dBn (correct normalised level) when correct dBi =20 dB
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8 Instruction drawings
Remarks:
• The condition of the FIBH and FOBH can be evaluated based on the dBi measurements of MIBH and MOBH.
• MNDS: The SPM hole is foreseen in the motor. SPM nipple 1619 6032 00 should be used for measurements.
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Remarks:
• The condition of the FIBH and FOBH can be evaluated based on the dBi measurements of MIBH and MOBH.
• MNDS: The SPM hole is foreseen in the motor. SPM nipple 1619 6032 00 should be used for measurements.
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Remarks:
• The condition of the FIBH and FOBH can be evaluated based on the dBi measurements of MIBH and MOBH.
• MNDS: The SPM hole is foreseen in the motor. SPM nipple 1619 6032 05 should be used for measurements.
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Remarks:
• MNDS: The SPM hole is foreseen in the motor. SPM nipple 1619 6032 05 should be used for measurements.
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For VSD's, data for other element speeds can be interpolated to obtain an “indicative” value (*). Also for other pressures,
interpolation can be used to get an “indicative” value (*).
dBx 2 − dBx 1
dBx = ⋅ (Rpm − Rpm1 ) + dBx 1
Rpm 2 − Rpm1
• Rpm: at which motor speed the dB-value must be calculated, this value should be lying between Rpm1 and Rpm2
dBx 2 − dBx 1
dBx = ⋅ (Pr essure − Pr essure1 ) + dBx 1
Pr essure 2 − Pr essure1
• Pressure: at which pressure the dB-value must be calculated, this value should be lying between Pressure1 and
Pressure2
(*) Note: Relationship between speed or pressure and dB values is not linear and therefore using above equation will only give approximate
values. Therefore it is advised to measure SPM at full load operation as stated before and for VSD’s at full speed. Especially for
VSD’s, if customer installation does not allow to operate at full speed, it is advised to consult Atlas Copco.
10 Nomenclature
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Pressure
Machine
(bar)
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Pressure
Machine
(psi)
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Pressure
Machine
(bar)
Pressure
Machine
(psi)
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Pressure
Machine
(psi)
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Pressure
Machine
(bar)
Pressure
Machine
(psi)
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Pressure
Machine
(psi)
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