VIBRATION ANALYSIS

Vibration ANALYSIS Service

OVERVIEW

Vibration analysis is one of the important diagnostic tools (PdM - Predictive Maintenance) in implementing a Reliability
Centered Maintenance (RCM) strategy. However, accessing technology, training human resources, investing in
vibration analysis equipment, is sometimes not feasible in terms of investment costs in factories. Recognizing the
need, RCMI wishes to bring the most efficiency with vibration analysis services for important machines in the factory
with a team of experienced specialists and high-tech equipment.

Rotating equipment is very popular in industrial plants: oil and gas, power (wind, hydro, thermal...), cement,
electronics, food... Old maintenance strategies (run-to-fail, preventive maintenance) is outdated and not cost-
effective. Meanwhile, condition monitoring programs prevent serious failures, improve reliability, and optimize
maintenance and operating costs. In particular,
vibration analysis which detect early mechanical
faults, bearing, has long become popular in the
maintenance.

The P-F curve (Figure 1) allows maintenance

professionals to schedule maintenance tasks just
before failure occurs. It helps avoid over-
maintenance on a given piece of equipment and
reduces maintenance costs while increasing asset
uptime and extending its lifespan. Vibration analysis
is the most effective techniques to detect root cause
of the faults. If we know root cause, we could correct
serious failures easily.
Figure 1 - P-F curve for rotating equipment
Scope of work
Data collection is performed by vibration specialist with ISO CAT II/ III certificate and 5 or more years of work
experience. The service is carried out when the machine is operating and ensure safety.

1. Scope of work
✓ Measurement, evaluation and trend of RMS vibration value (velocity, acceleration) in accordance with ISO
10816 standard
✓ PeakVue+ (Emerson) technology for evaluating condition and lubrication of bearing
✓ Velocity and acceleration spectrum analysis (FFT, Order tracking)
✓ Time waveform analysis
✓ Peakvue plot analysis for evaluating bearing faults (inner race, outer race, cage and balls), impact in
gearbox,…
✓ Phase analysis (if necessary)
✓ Orbit analysis (for sleeve bearing and if required)
✓ Run-up/Coast-down (if necessary)
✓ Bump test when machine is operating (if necessary)
✓ Transient analysis (if necessary)

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 2. Measurement, evaluation and trend of RMS value
Measurement, storage and monitoring RMS velocity or acceleration to detect abnormal symptoms of machine.

Figure 2 - Vibration Level Trending

3. PeakVue, PeakVue+ technology

Peakvue & Peakvue+ is Emerson's exclusive technology used to evaluate the friction and
impact in bearings, sleeve bearings and the lubrication of bearings at an early stage. In
addition, this technology can detect failure gearbox. Over 50% of mechanical faults are
due to bearing and gearbox issues. And most data collectors do not have the technology
to detect these faults as they are developing and can only find them when the machinery
is already damaged and near failure. The AMS 2140 uses Emerson’s patented PeakVue™
processing and applies digital technology to determine bearing and gear wear earlier than
any other technology. By measuring stress waves emitted from impacting – the earliest
sign of bearing and gear wear – the AMS 2140 gives you time to plan for maintenance on
your machine – while avoiding significant and costly, damage.

Figure 3 - Evaluate bearing

and lubrication by Peakvue &
Peakvue+

Figure 1 – Bearing fault in PeakVue plot (FFT spectrum and time-waveform)

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 4. Advanced vibration analysis (is necessary)
All channel allows simultaneous data collection to provide in-depth analysis
and identify root cause and source of vibration also.

✓ Cross channel analysis: Assists in evaluating and distinguishing

causes of vibration with some similarities such as unbalance,
misalignment, bent shaft, cocked bearing... Cross channel analysis
identify root cause of the fault.

✓ Phân Orbit analysis: monitor orbit plot on sleeve bearings in

generator, large motor. AMS 2140 can connect to vibration
monitoring system from Emerson, Bently Nevada… to collect data
from proximity sensor. Moreover, Four-channel data collection Figure 2 - Cross channel analysis
allows for the simultaneous monitoring of dual orbit plots for more
accurate evaluation and analysis.

Figure 3 - Dual orbit analysis

✓ Startups/Coast downs: Monitor vibration severity when rotating machine is started or stopped to detect
the frequency range where vibration amplitudes is the highest. This is also a feature to be able to find out
the natural frequency, or the coast downs feature can be used to reduce the frequency associated with
the power supply for in-depth evaluation.

Figure 4 - Coast downs analysis

✓ Bump test is effective method for resonant frequency testing (natural

frequency). This method is usually performed when the rotating
machine is not running. With AMS 2140, we can do it when machine
is operating.
✓ Transient Analysis: This application is used to evaluate the symptoms
of rotating equipment when changing operating condition such as
speed, load, run up, coast down… This is effective application in
troubleshooting for repetitive operating system such as drilling,
grinding…

Figure 5 - Bump test

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 5. Procedure
Determine
Remove sensor for
Safe observation measurement Sensor mounting Collect data
next location
location

6. Sensor mounting
Sensor is mounted in bearing housing with 3 directions (vertical, horizontal and axial). The specialist who collect
data, is certified Category II ISO 18436-2 Vibration Analyst or more.

Figure 6 – Sensor mounting location

7. Risk assessment and control

Task Risk Control Method

Locate sensor mounting Wrong location - Read assembly drawings if necessary

- Complex machines must consult
experienced technicians at the factory

Sensor mounting Not tight - Use a cloth to clean the bearing housing
surface and sensor before mounting
- Make sure the mounting surface is free
of dirt and roughness before mounting

Entangled in the - Perform carefully

machine's rotation axis
- Sensor should mounted in safe
locations

Slippery - Observe before carried out

- Remove obstacles, clean the working
floor, wear seat belts in high positions
- Wear PPE and carefully

Data collection Missing data - Check again after finished

- Use Route Mode