Vibration monitoring and analysis enable the shift from time-based (TBM) or reactive maintenance to Predictive Maintenance by detecting faults long before failure.
Analysis relies on advanced tools like VibAssist™ and infiSYS RV200 to translate sensor data into actionable insights using specialised plots
The use of analytical plots is essential for troubleshooting and root cause identification, covering conditions from imbalance to oil whip.
Effective monitoring and analysis is essential to detect anomalies and ensure the smooth operation, safety, and longevity of equipment.
Benefits of Vibration Monitoring
Vibration monitoring is the foundation of condition-based maintenance (CBM). It provides multiple operational benefits:
- Early Detection: Identifies machinery issues through abnormal vibration patterns before they escalate into major failures.
- Predictive Maintenance: Allows maintenance teams to identify potential problems such as misalignment, imbalance, or bearing wear, enabling them to plan preventive maintenance and optimise production schedules.
- Cost Management: Minimises unplanned downtime, extends equipment lifespan, and reduces overall maintenance costs by preventing major repairs.
- Safety Assurance: Identifies potential hazards, allowing for timely intervention to ensure the safety of both personnel and assets.
- Operational Optimisation: Provides insights for operational improvements based on issues affecting equipment efficiency.
Key Vibration Analysis Techniques
Analysis of vibration data collected over time provides valuable insights into equipment health and performance trends. Modern analysis systems utilise specialised graphical displays to diagnose specific faults:
| Analysis Plot/Technique | Purpose and Application |
|---|---|
| Time Waveform | Displays the raw vibration signal over time. Essential for diagnosing impacts, rubs, and structural looseness. |
| Spectrum (FFT) | Translates the time waveform into the frequency domain. This is the core method for identifying fault frequencies (1X, 2X, bearing frequencies). |
| Bode and Polar Plots | Used during machine startup and shutdown (transient data) to track amplitude and phase relative to rotating speed (RPM). Critical for identifying rotor critical speeds. |
| Orbit Plot | Displays the movement of the shaft centerline within its bearing clearance. Used to diagnose fluid-induced instabilities like oil whirl and oil whip, or severe misalignment. |
| Waterfall and Cascade Plots | Show the vibration spectrum as a function of time or speed, enabling visualisation of how vibration behavior changes during transient conditions (e.g., rotor crack monitoring). |
| Shaft Centerline Plot | Tracks the position of the rotor shaft relative to the bearing housing, vital for large turbomachinery (TG) monitoring. |
