Vibration Analysis & Predictive Maintenance
Vibration analysis techniques, frequency interpretation, high-frequency enveloping, FFT spectrum analysis for bearing defects, phase analysis across flexible couplings, thermal imaging, and predictive vs preventive maintenance strategies aligned to the 2023 RSOS.
- Explain vibration analysis fundamentals and measurement units
- Interpret 1X and 2X frequency vibration and common fault signatures
- Apply high-frequency enveloping to detect early-stage bearing defects
- Interpret FFT spectra to identify inner race, outer race, ball, and cage bearing defect frequencies
- Use phase analysis across flexible couplings to distinguish misalignment from imbalance
- Apply thermal imaging for predictive maintenance
- Apply scenario-based diagnostic reasoning to multi-symptom equipment problems
Lección 1
Vibration Analysis Fundamentals
What Vibration Tells You
Every machine vibrates. The pattern of vibration is a signature that reveals the machine's condition. Vibration analysis measures three parameters:
Supporting Instruments
A tachometer is used to measure rotational speed (RPM). Knowing the exact running speed is essential for vibration analysis because fault frequencies are calculated as multiples of running speed. Contact and non-contact (laser) tachometers are both common.
Measurement Points
Vibration is measured at bearing housings in three directions:
- Horizontal (H) - perpendicular to the shaft, side to side
- Vertical (V) - perpendicular to the shaft, up and down
- Axial (A) - parallel to the shaft axis
Overall vs. Spectrum
Overall vibration tells you the machine is vibrating too much. Spectrum analysis tells you why - it breaks the vibration into individual frequencies, each pointing to a specific fault type.
Vibration analysis measures displacement, velocity, and acceleration at bearing housings in three directions. Overall level detects problems; spectrum analysis diagnoses the specific cause. Velocity (in/sec) is the most commonly used measurement for general machinery.