Posted to News on 10th Nov 2013, 09:32
Understanding the benefits of vibration monitoring and analysis
Fluke has published Understanding the benefits of vibration monitoring and analysis, an application note that outlines how to implement condition-based maintenance - which can result in reduced costs and higher plant availability. This is available as a free download (1.8MB PDF).
Topics covered by the application note include:
- Early indicators of machine health
- Benefits of early vibration testing
- Mechanics of vibration testing
- Bearing faults and failures
- Analysing roller bearing faults
- The nine stages of bearing wear
- Traditional bearing analysis
- Vibration pens, meters and testers
This four-page application note is fully illustrated and provides the right good level of detail to describe the issues and explain the benefits of vibration monitoring for machine users. Machine builders who provide ongoing service for the equipment they supply could also benefit, as predictive maintenance can avoid the need for costly unplanned site visits.
Interestingly, there is a graph that shows how vibration analysis can predict wear in rotating components earlier than alternative techniques such as lubricant analysis or thermography. And basing maintenance on time intervals can result in some bearings being replaced before they are worn, while others can still fail prematurely before the expected life has been reached.
The Fluke 805 Vibration Meter has a combination vibration and force sensor tip that compensates for user variance (force or angle), to yield accurate, repeatable readings. This meter has a four-level severity scale and onboard processor that calculate bearing condition and overall vibration using easy-to-understand textual alerts (Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Unacceptable). Its sensors can read a wide range of frequencies (10 to 1000Hz and 4000 to 20,000Hz), covering most machine and component types. The 805's straightforward user interface minimises user inputs to speed range and equipment type.
A more advanced vibration testing tool, the Fluke 810 Vibration Tester has a diagnostic engine that combines algorithms with a database of real-world measurement experience.
Follow the link to download a copy of the Fluke application note Understanding the benefits of vibration monitoring and analysis (1.8MB PDF).
