The advantages of vibration analysis and monitoring

Vibration is a characteristic present in practically all industrial machines, knowing how to monitor vibration and interpret data can bring benefits to your industry.

Vibration should not be seen as something undesirable, since the machines have oscillatory movements that are part of their normal operation. Even the standard vibrations give a comfortable feeling that the machines are “alive” and functioning.

The problem arises when this vibration oscillates beyond normal levels, which can indicate a natural wear of some components, or problems such as unbalance, misalignment, backlash and deteriorated bearings, which may require immediate maintenance action.

A trained employee, with years of experience, may be able to detect certain anomalies in the vibration analysis of equipment, but human senses are not sensitive enough to discern between the vibrational levels and frequencies of each component, in order to identify the focus of a failure, for example.

That said, it is necessary to use more advanced and sharp techniques to measure and analyze vibrations.

With the use of vibration sensors, it is possible to detect amplitudes and frequencies in a more efficient and assertive manner, identifying anomalies in the behavior of the machines and pointing out which components are sources of these irregularities.

But which machines can be monitored? In which of them is the vibration parameter relevant?

WIRELESS VIBRATION METER APPLICATIONS

There are some options of vibration meters on the market, some more specific for motors and pumps, and others, such as the Dynamox Solution, for general use.

Below we mention some of the main applications that have been, or can be given:

• INDUSTRIAL MACHINES IN GENERAL

Vibration analysis and monitoring by wireless meters and analyzers can be useful in a wide variety of industrial machines, such as motors, compressors, fans, pumps, turbines and spindle motors, among others.

They are used in the most diverse industrial sectors, with emphasis on the paper and cellulose, plastic, steel, furniture, automotive and agriculture.

These machines generally have more than one point to monitor, and it is possible to install the vibration gauges on rolling bearings, gearbox and shaft ends, for example.

The number of meters will depend on the complexity and size of the machine, in addition to the level of monitoring desired by the customer.

In addition, another point to be considered is the high frequency of points with difficult access to be monitored, and the factor of considerable danger for maintenance, which favors the use of devices that allow data collection remotely.

In other words, wireless vibration meters can be useful not only in detecting faults, but also in increasing safety levels on the shop floor, including adapting to NR12.

• CONVEYOR BELTS

Essential for agility in cargo handling, conveyor belts are present in the most diverse segments and industrial processes.

The equipment – which consists of two or more pulleys that move a surface on which certain materials or objects are transported – is commonly used in mining, construction and even in the grain sector.

Various materials are transported in ports and production cells, among others.

Continuous monitoring of key components, such as rolling bearings and rollers, or parts that are difficult to access (in height, for example), can help the maintenance team to ensure a high rate of availability of this equipment, avoiding losses due to transportation stops or even dangerous fires.

• TRANSFORMERS

Vital in the electricity distribution system and generally of high cost, they are equipment used in the transformation of voltage and electric current values.

Failures in this equipment generally imply high repair costs and disruptions in distribution, which in turn can result in fines for utilities and loss of quality with customers.

Because of these reasons, the techniques for monitoring and diagnosing power transformers have considerably increased their popularity in recent years.

Among these techniques are, precisely, of vibration analysis and noise.

• COOLING TOWERS

The cooling tower is a system that makes use of evaporation and heat transfer processes to cool a fluid, usually water. They are equipment commonly found in power plants, oil companies and chemical industries, among others.

Among the various components involved in the operation of these towers, we can mention fans, motors, gearboxes and transmission shafts.

When these towers are in operation, most of their components are inaccessible to check for possible defects, which can be a problem during long periods of operation. In addition, maintenance usually needs to be carried out by a specialized and properly equipped team.

These reasons, combined with the fact that failures can cause not only financial downtime and losses, but also environmental and safety disasters, make vibration monitoring by wireless meters an important ally in the maintenance of this equipment.

For now, these are the most common applications we find. However, we know that there is a universe of other applications.

Do you remember any more? How about telling us your experience in monitoring and analyzing vibration?