MVS - PdM Applying Vibration Analysis

Course Outline & Associated Charges

Attention: Maintenance Supervisors, Managers

Subject: PdM Applying Vibration Analysis - Course Overview

The following is an outline on a Basic Vibration Analysis Course the following is designed for 1 – 4 days (dependent on customer request- see end of page #2). If you have any questions, please contact us at (905) 681-9006, Fax (905) 681-2007 or electronic mail

The course full course (4 days) is designed around you the customers’ production equipment and applying your vibration measurement equipment. Reference to some frequency and/or fault identification will include some of your own equipment in service.

Course Outline

  1. Brief overview of "what is vibration", Predictive Maintenance Applying Vibration Analysis.
  2. Understanding of vibration measurements - Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration.
  3. Applying the different measurements.
  4. Vibration transducers - Displacement Probes, Velometers & Accelerometers.
  5. Driver Vs Driven Equipment.
  6. Measurement points - location and direction (horizontal, vertical and axial) and reason for

Monitored Equipment & Identifying Components Applying Vibration Measurements

  1. Motors - a/c, d/c, synchronous, slots, coils, rotors, armatures, stators, iron (punchings), rotor bars.
  2. Fans - overhung, center hung, blades, types, dampers, applications.
  3. Pumps - overhung, center hung, vanes, diffusers, piping, impellers.
  4. Pulverizers (hammer mills) - hammers, shafting.
  5. Steam Turbines - stages, wheels, buckets.
  6. Gear Boxes - types, gears, teeth, ratio.

Identifying Various Faults Associated With Above Equipment

  1. Motors - line frequency, eccentricity (rotors & stators), soft foot, rotor bars (cracked, open, broken) slot pass, pole pass, loose coils, broken and/or open windings, scr's, loose connections, bent/bowed shafts.
  2. Fans - blade pass frequency, aero dynamics (damping, ducting forces), broken/cracked blades.
  3. Pumps - vane pass frequency, flow turbulence and cavitation, piping forces, impeller alignment.
  4. Pulverizers - rod pass frequency, broken hammers, rotor alignment.
  5. Steam Turbines - stage pass, bucket pass frequency, relative motion, deflection, piping forces.
  6. Gear Boxes - gearmesh frequency, eccentricity, cracked/broken teeth, hunting tooth, gear alignment.

Most Common Faults & Identification of Same

  1. Unbalance - static, dynamic, couple.
  2. Shaft misalignment - radial, angular.
  3. Misaligned gears, impellers, fans.
  4. Mechanical Looseness - rotating and non-rotating.
  5. Resonance - interpretation & identification.
  6. Electrically induced vibration.

Bearings - Types and Identification of Faults Applying Vibration Analysis

  1. Friction vs non-friction.
  2. Rolling elements.
  3. Sleeve bearings - application, fault identification.
  4. Ball & Roller - ball pass, cage frequencies, outer race frequencies, inner race frequencies.
  5. Adapter mounted bearings (tapered bore & sleeve) brief overview on pre installation (setting clearances etc).

Vibration Analysis Tools & Application

  1. Analyzers - collecting data, balancing, in-situ analysis.
  2. Strobe light - slow motion studies, phase analysis.
  3. Overview on in-situ tests that can be carried out to confirm or eliminate suspicions as to vibration sources.

Setting up a PdM Program Applying Vibration Analysis

  1. Identification of critical equipment.
  2. Equipment information required for proper analysis.
  3. Basic “fault alarm set-up”.
  4. Analysis parameter choices and applications.
  5. Setting up a route.

Using Vibration Computer Programs

Many different vibration software applications are being used now. We can assist you with using and applying the following applications. CSI – Mastertrend, CSI – RBM Ware & SKF Microlog.

  1. Software overview.
  2. Constructing a database of equipment.
  3. Constructing vibration analysis parameters (to suit specific equipment).
  4. Constructing vibration alarm settings (warning, alarm, fault).
  5. Setting up measurement points (proper direction
  6. Applying the “f-min” and “f-max” settings (where applicable and to which equipment & points).
  7. Applying the proper resolution tot he proper measurement point.

Notes: Changes to suit your specific group can be made at your request (i.e. amount of time spent on understanding analysis etc. or training on software). This course is designed to be carried out over 1 – 4 days. Assistance in operating any “in-house” vibration analyzers is also available (time permitting).

For more advanced groups the “basic” understanding of vibration analysis can be omitted (e.g. displacement, velocity, acceleration etc.). More time can then be spent on fault identification and analysis or same. In most cases where the attendees have a basic or good understanding of vibration analysis we have found the interest has leaned more towards the fault id, analysis. A substantial portion of the course in these cases is spent on “phase analysis” (phase analysis is by far the most overlooked but one of the most powerful tools available to the analyst. Understanding “phase differences” (are the differences the same) is critical to confirming and identifying problems associated with vibration and/or pre-mature failures in equipment.

Course Length & Options

1 day – Very basic, covering the above on “understanding the measurements and their applications”.

2 day – Basic outline plus more in-depth coverage including analysis (minimum recommended).

3 day – Includes above 1 & 2 day coverage plus database construction, on-site measurements & analysis.

4 day – Includes above 1 – 3 day coverage plus in-class review and in-house vibration equipment.

Charges: On-site training (9:00am - 3:00 pm) $720.00/day + $50.00 for each manual.

Regards, Bob Mitchell, MVS