BUMP TEST

A Bump Test (Resonance Test) is used to determine a machine component or structure natural resonant vibration
frequency. Specially designed Modal Hammers can be used for this purpose, but a properly conducted Bump Test
can be equally effective in most instances.
IMPORTANT: Soft rubber mallets are recommended for performing a Bump Test. DO NOT use a metal hammer.
Metal Hammers generate their own resonant frequency upon impact, which may affect indicated resonant vibration
frequencies.

To start this test, configure the Trigger for Channel 1:

- On the Setup menu, select Config.
- In the Preferences window, select the Channels tab.
- Confirm that Channel 1 is set to 100 mV/g Accelerometer
- Trigger box for Channel 1 must be checked.

Default Trigger level is set at 1.000 (units are in mm/s or in/s,

depending on whether Metric or Imperial units are selected on
the Signal tab).

NOTE: If ambient vibration in the area is higher than the Trigger

setting because other machines are operating nearby, increase
the value to a level where the Trigger is not activated by ambient
vibration.

Start a New Analysis on 1 Channel.

NOTE: Depending on the interface (2-channel or 4-channel) and how many sensors are placed in other directions,
additional channels can be simultaneously collected:

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 Select the time for the recording (in this example 5 seconds) and select the Trigger recording mode.

- Analysis column may immediately display ambient vibrations where the Channel 1 sensor is placed.
- Graphics in time-domain waveform and FFT may immediately display low-amplitude ambient
vibration.
- The counter (showing how many seconds are left to finish recording) should remain inactive. A
recording should not begin until the Trigger vibration threshold is exceeded. Ideally, when the
component or structure is intentionally struck to Trigger a resonance.

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 Strike the component or structure in a rapid movement with the rubber mallet, then let the vibration
attenuate until it stops:

On the time domain waveform, zoom-in the impact area:

The component or structure resonant frequency is 1332.53 CPM (right click on FFT graph to show markers):

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