Vibration Analysis is a widly recognized and is implemented in most preventitive maintanance programs. Primaraly this form of analysis is used to:

• to assess a machine's condition and identify problems

• changes in condition will be indicated and used to predict when they'll become unacceptable

• consistent monitoring will identify problem machines early preventing major overhauls

What is Vibration analysis? - It is the process of monitoring the condition of equipment, and the diagnosis of faults in equipment through the measurement and analysis of vibration within that equipment. Typically conducted through hand-held or permanently positioned accelerometers placed on key measurement points on the equipment. Commonly used on most large items of rotating equipment, such as turbines, centrifugal pumps, motors, gearboxes etc

Vibration analysis in particular is becoming increasingly popular as a predictive maintenance procedure and as a support for machinery maintenance decisions. As a general rule, machines do not break down or fail without some form of warning, which is indicated by an increased vibration level. By measuring and analyzing the vibration of a machine, it is possible to determine both the nature and severity of the defect, and hence predict the machine’s failure. The overall vibration signal from a machine is contributed from many components and structures to which it may be coupled. However, mechanical defects produce characteristic vibrations at different frequencies, which can be related to specific machine fault conditions. By analyzing the time and frequency spectrums and using signal processing techniques, both the defect and natural frequencies of the various structural components can be identified.

Practitioners of oil analysis are familiar with the practice and advantages of oil wear debris analysis. Compared to vibration analysis, oil and particle analysis have certain advantages, as they can provide direct and early information on wear modes and the machine’s condition. In fact, in many instances it has been proven to be a leading indicator of active machine wear, compared to vibration analysis. In addition, oil analysis has certain advantages in monitoring low-speed machinery (less than 5 rpm), where it is usually difficult to apply vibration analysis techniques. However, wear debris analysis cannot effectively uncover all manners of failure mechanisms on its own. For this reason, both oil analysis and vibration analysis are necessary and vital parts to an effective program.

Both wear debris analysis and vibration analysis are complicated in terms of their analysis requirements, and the demand of human expertise and experience. Experts in the two fields are often isolated from each other. Hence, effective integration of the two condition-monitoring techniques can be challenging in a working environment, especially for remote industries such as offshore drilling, mine sites and other isolated operations. In recent years, research toward this goal has been conducted, but with limited achievement. However, advances in technological innovation, including artificial intelligence and advanced computer analysis techniques, have created renewed optimism at the prospects of overcoming these obstacles to develop a new integrated approach to machine condition monitoring.

At Predictive Analysis Ltd., we assist our clients with reporting on both vibration and oil analysis in order to provide them with the most comprehensible reporting so they can make the best informed decisions regarding their preventive maintenance programs.

We offer "hands-on training" for your maintenance personnel. Support can be given in areas of Vibration Analysis and Computerized Maintenance Systems.