Introduction
In this day and age expensive items of equipment are apt to ‘shake’ themselves to destruction. In an attempt to avoid this we have introduced various methods for the maintenance of this equipment. The latest is the predictive maintenance philosophy. In the case of our rotating equipment we mount sensors to measure machine vibration and compare this to a ‘machine signature.’ From this we are able to predict faults and take action before the equipment shakes itself to destruction. This course then will cover the areas of vibration monitoring and data interpretation.

Course Duration
The course lasts for 5 days

Methodology
The course is instructor carries out formal lectures supported by Powerpoint Presentations and finally, computer based training (CBT) software. Each Section concludes with a written assessment.

Number of Participants
The maximum number of delegates will be not more than 10.

Who should attend?
The course is for all those who have an interest in vibration monitoring and interpretation at the introductory level. This might well be people such as Instrumentation, Mechanical or Electrical Technicians. Further, those who have an interest in the subject may also attend. This may well be managers with a need for knowledge in the field.

Course Objectives & Outcomes
The aim of the course is to produce a competent technician able to interpret data and advise on machine condition. Also it is hoped to improve the interface between the disciplines when deciding on the type of maintenance to be applied. Finally, it is our aim to provide a better all round technician, capable of making these decisions with confidence and accuracy

Principles of vibration analysis

Methods of machine maintenance

The three principles of vibration analysis

Trend monitoring

Definition of vibration

Practical application of vibration analysis

Vibration analysis and machine fault detection

Vibration frequency

Vibration amplitude

Monitoring and the seismic velocity transducer

The accelerometer

None contact pick-ups

Location of tyransducers on the machine under test

The three axes of vibration measurementNoise levels and the Decibel

Data analysis

From analysis to correction

The main characteristics of vibration

Vibration velocity

Definition and units of measurement

Vibration acceleration

Definition and units of measurement

Vibration phase

Definition and units of measurement

The importance of vibration characteristics

Vibration characteristics and severity of vibration

Vibration severity and its effects

Velocity severity and its effects

The vibration severity chart

Overall machine condition

Measurement of noise

The Decibel

Definition of the Decibel

Converting sound pressures to Decibels and vice versa

Frequency response of the human ear

Soundfields in a machine compartment

Noise levels and machine condition

Transducers used in machine condition monitoring

The proximity probe

Mounting of a proximity probe

Velocity transducer

The accelerometer

The condenser microphone

Temperature measurement

The thermocouple

The resistance temperature detector

Pressure measurement

Bourdon tubes, bellows and diaphragms

The starin gauge

Measurement of displacement

The linear variable differential transformer (LVDT)

Data collectors and predictive maintenance

A basic vibration analyser with manual tuning

The analyser spectrum

Rolling element bearings

Detection of faults in these bearings

The shock pulse method

Spike energy method

Balancing

Static balance using the vector method

Data collectors for predictive maintenance

Continuous monitoring from installed instrumentation

A computerised data collection system

The spectrum analyser

Reports generated by automated anaklysers

Installed vibration monitoring systems

The vibration switch

Single and multi-channel monitors

Signal conditioning instrumentation

Data collection

Monitoring and data collection as one unit

Unbalance and misalignment

Unbalance

Possible causes of initial unbalance

Possible causes of an increase in unbalance

Balancing of equipment

Misalignment

Possible causes of increased misalignment

Misaligned ball/roller bearing

Pre-loading

Misaligned asleeve bearings

Misaligned coupling

Bent shaft

Harmonics

Thermal effects

Symptoms of serious bearing damage

Additional instrumentation used in vibration analysis

Tape recorders

The cathode ray oscilloscope

Analogue chart recorders

x - y chart recorder

Electronic filters, high pass, low pass etc

Defective bearings and eccentricity

Defects associated with ball/roller bearings

Bearing inspection

Eccentricity

Eccentricity in gear trains

Sidebands

Eccentricity in induction motors

Mechanical looseness and defective belt drives

Mechanical looseness

Examples of mechanical looseness

Vibration associated with belt drives

The belt drive frequency formula

Belt defects

Vibration from electrical and mechanical sources; resonance

Vibration from electrical sources

Sources related to the power supply

Permeance variation in dc machines

Rotating magnetic field in 3-phase alternators and synchronous motors

Permeance variation and rotating magnetic field in induction motors

Magneto stiction

Vibration from mechanical sources

Vibration from reciprocating machines

Vibration from fans and blowers

Vibration from hydraulic pumps

Resonance