Page 123 - Intro Predictive Maintenance

7

VIBRATION MONITORING

AND ANALYSIS

All mechanical equipment in motion generates a vibration profile, or signature, that
reflects its operating condition. This is true regardless of speed or whether the mode
of operation is rotation, reciprocation, or linear motion. Vibration analysis is appli-
cable to all mechanical equipment, although a common—yet invalid—assumption is
that it is limited to simple rotating machinery with running speeds above 600 revolu-
tions per minute (rpm). Vibration-profile analysis is a useful tool for predictive main-
tenance, diagnostics, and many other uses.

Predictive maintenance has become synonymous with monitoring vibration charac-
teristics of rotating machinery to detect budding problems and to head off catastrophic
failure; however, vibration analysis does not provide the data required for analyzing
electrical equipment, areas of heat loss, the condition of lubricating oil, or other para-
meters typically evaluated in a maintenance management program. Therefore, a total-
plant predictive maintenance program must include several techniques, each designed
to provide specific information on plant equipment.

7.1 VIBRATION ANALYSIS APPLICATIONS
The use of vibration analysis is not restricted to predictive maintenance. This tech-
nique is useful for diagnostic applications as well. Vibration monitoring and analysis
are the primary diagnostic tools for most mechanical systems that are used to manu-
facture products. When used properly, vibration data provide the means to maintain
optimum operating conditions and efficiency of critical plant systems. Vibration analy-
sis can be used to evaluate fluid flow through pipes or vessels, to detect leaks, and to
perform a variety of nondestructive testing functions that improve the reliability and
performance of critical plant systems.

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