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Vibration Analysis is used to perform a Predictive Maintenance Program route to acquire the necessary data needed to overview the health of a plant’s assets. This data is then turned into a customer report showing the readings and presumed faults for the system. Recommendations are then offered based on these findings to fix any adverse issues found.

Vibration Analysis (VA) and Motion Amplification (MA) complement each other, but each serves its essential purpose.

Some frequencies of vibrations are not cut and dry and can have a multitude of causes. Additional tests to determine the root of the problem are needed because of this.

Without this step, a customer could spend unnecessary time & money guessing how to fix the issue. Rather, there are several tests that can be performed: phase analysis, an electrical test, a balance test, laser alignment, and thermography (among others).

The Motion Amplification Camera is a vital tool used to find the origin of the problem.

These are vibrations ultrasonic in speed and cannot be seen with the human eye until now. Motion Amplification performs the ability to slow down the vibrations, amplify the movement, track the movement’s path, measure its intensity, then isolate the frequencies of interest with 10 million sensors that cover the entire frame of the camera.

However, Motion Amplification’s most significant limitation is that it can only capture frequencies under 650 HZ, and it cannot measure internal vibrations such as bearings, electrical, internal rubs, etc.

There are ideal conditions where MA’s technology thrives:

  • Low-frequency problems – up to 650Hz
  • 1x and 2x vibration problems on rotating equipment
  • Pipework vibration surveys
  • Structures with vibration
  • Frequency analysis testing of new machine builds
  • Verification scans after repair/installation work
  • Investigation of the effectiveness of vibration damping/supports
  • Identifying the root cause of process issues
  • Any moving part with a regular frequency.

Listed are notable faults that Motion Amplification can solve:

Unsolved Misalignment – For over five years on a routine vibration survey, a motor and pump showed apparent signs of misalignment. Yet, when physically checked, it appeared to be in good alignment. There were no visual signs of problems with the base, and all the anchor bolts were solid with structural integrity.

MA found that the motor was rocking at a frequency corresponding to twice the running speed. Within 15 minutes, it was found that the motor baseplate was flexible, allowing vertical motion at this frequency. The baseplate was replaced on the next shutdown.

Pipework Failures on a Pump System – Repeat pipework failures were blamed on process issues, and no consideration was given to other root causes. A series of filters were used to reject unwanted frequencies from the video and only visualized the problem frequency on the pipework, revealing the root cause to be a loose pump foot.

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