Vibrodiagnostics

Vibromonitoring and diagnostics

Vibration monitoring and diagnostics are essential tasks to monitor and analyse the condition of equipment. Vibrodiagnostics helps to anticipate premature failures that cause more serious damage to the plant or halt production. Here are some of the main points that help to better understand the importance of this service and the main steps involved.

1. Vibromonitoring system

Sensors and data acquisition equipment Vibration monitoring systems use a variety of sensors (e.g. accelerometers, velocity sensors) that are mounted on industrial equipment. These sensors capture vibration data in real time or periodically. Data acquisition equipment collects and processes the signals and transmits them to diagnostic technicians.

Database and analysis The collected data is sent via the Cloud to SKF’s Remote Diagnostics Centre where it is analysed using specialised software. The SKF software enables analysis of vibration spectra, trends and anomalous operating conditions.

2. Diagnostics

Fault detection Using comprehensive databases and algorithms, vibrodiagnostic tools can identify specific causes of faults such as bearing wear, imbalance, centrifugal misalignment, etc.

Prediction Vibromonitoring and diagnostic tools help to predict potential failures by providing information on the remaining life of the bearing. This allows more efficient maintenance and repair planning.

3. Benefits

Reduced costs Early identification of faults helps avoid costly repairs and production downtime.

Increased operational efficiency Regular monitoring of industrial equipment ensures optimum performance, helps reduce energy costs and extends the life of the equipment.

Safety Early detection of faults reduces the risk of serious accidents and incidents in the workplace.

SKF offers vibration monitoring and diagnostic tools that can be adapted to a wide range of industries and applications. These include portable vibration analysers, stationary monitoring systems, as well as software for data analysis and management. All of which we apply in our work.

SKF MICROLOG

The SKF Micrologist is an advanced vibration analysis equipment that offers a wide range of options for monitoring and diagnosing the condition of industrial equipment. This equipment is widely used to ensure the efficient operation of equipment and to prevent unplanned failures. Here are some of the main capabilities of the SKF Microlog:

1. Vibration analysis

Multi-functional measurement The SKF Micrologger can collect data from multiple vibration sensors simultaneously, allowing a more detailed and in-depth analysis of complex equipment.

Spectral analysis This tool can perform a spectral analysis of vibration, identifying frequency components that indicate various mechanical faults such as bearing problems, imbalances, mismatches, etc.

2. Data collection and management

High-capacity memory The SKF Micrologger has enough memory for long-term data storage, allowing trends and changes to be monitored, compared and analysed in the long term.

Integration with software The instrument can be connected to SKF software, such as SKF @ptitude Analyst, which allows detailed analysis of the collected data and generation of reports.

3. Diagnostic functions

Automatic fault detection The SKF Micrologist has features that allow it to automatically detect the most common faults and provide diagnostic recommendations.

User-defined limits Individual limits can be set for equipment-specific vibration levels above which the micrologger triggers warnings and alarms to alert you to vibration changes.

4. Mobile and durable structures

The mobile design of the SKF Microlog is designed to be easy to take with you to your customer’s workplace or engineer’s workshop. The micrologger has a robust and environmentally resistant design.

Capacitive battery The tool has a capacitive battery which avoids frequent recharging.

5. Additional functions

Measuring temperature and other parameters In addition to vibration, the SKF Micrologger can be used to measure temperature and other important parameters.

Data synchronisation The instrument supports data synchronisation with a central database or cloud services – allowing even faster and more efficient data sharing and analysis.

The SKF Microlog is a highly reliable tool to ensure the accurate operation and longevity of industrial equipment, using the most advanced technologies for vibration analysis and diagnosis.

What is CoMo?

CoMo (Condition monitoring) is the monitoring of the condition of equipment to measure its performance parameters and to determine accurate condition indicators. Monitoring a specific piece of equipment makes it easier to detect deviations from the normal norm. In general, condition monitoring of equipment is a highly valuable practice that helps industrial companies to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the safety and reliability of their assets. This is particularly important in industries where equipment downtime or failures can have significant financial or operational consequences.

Outlook for equipment health monitoring

For more than 100 years, SKF has been manufacturing bearings, which it calls the heart of any industrial plant. Without a bearing, nothing would turn.

Now we can look at the industrial plant from a different perspective, from the digital world. In other words, monitoring the condition of the machine gives us a clearer understanding of what is happening mechanically inside the machine. Vibration monitoring is a key part of bearing life cycle fulfilment/assurance.

With many years of manufacturing, installation, repair and general monitoring of the performance of bearings, it can be argued that vibration monitoring plays a key role in the assessment of the bearing condition.

Vibration monitoring helps industrial companies to predict maintenance strategies in a targeted manner.

SKF IMx-1 monitoring system: monitoring conditions for machines

What equipment criteria need to be considered when selecting this SKF IMx-1 monitoring system:

Standard, serial units

  • Unit speeds greater than 600 rpm, up to 5000 rpm
  • Continuous operation of the unit. This means that the unit must operate stably (without breaking the routine). The IMx-1 system is not suitable for dynamic equipment (e.g. crushers, grinders)
  • The maximum distance from the unit to the network interface is approximately 40 metres.
  • Metal or concrete obstacles (walls) may interfere with smooth signal transmission
  • Equipment monitoring with Observer 13.2 – speed signal can share IMx8/16 (on the same network)
SKF IMx-8/16 monitoring system: monitoring conditions for installations

What equipment criteria should be considered when selecting this SKF IMx-8/16 monitoring system:

System for rotary tools

  • Rotational speed greater than 1 rpm
  • Continuous, dynamic operation. Can be used in specially protected areas

Important aspects of the installation of a monitoring system:

  • When installing such a system at customers’ sites, the process must be supervised by an SKF representative
  • Tachograph sensor
  • The kinematics of the machine and the parameters of the machine parts must be known
  • SKF standards must be followed when setting the sensor points

Systems

  • The same SKF monitoring system cannot be applied to all equipment – the parameters used to assess equipment vary depending on its specifics and may affect its condition.)
  • Mobile diagnostic equipment microlog, easily portable – manual data collection and analysis.
  • IMx1 Wireless monitoring system equipment – automated manual collection and analysis of large amounts of data.
  • IMx8 Wired monitoring system equipment – continuous measurement and monitoring of complex and critical equipment.
  • Software – in the data cloud and on a local workstation.
  • Service maintenance.

Vibration monitoring

Value for industrial companies:

  • Predictive maintenance strategy based on physical condition measurement indicators
  • Proven technology
  • Avoids activity-stopping, significant failures
  • Improves effective operational efficiency
  • Reduces: unplanned downtime, time to repair, maintenance costs
  • Increases the impact on CO2 reduction due to higher efficiency