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Proper location is very important when collecting vibration measurements on a belt system. If possible,  one reading should be taken in line with the sheaves and one reading perpendicular to them on each bearing. Vibration data resolution should be taken into account so that proper separation between belt and driver frequencies can be obtained. Care […]

With training funds being difficult to obtain these days it is critical that we do everything possible to have a satisfactory and productive training experience.  This includes evaluating whether it would be more cost-effective to attend a training class off-site (such as at a vendor’s facility) or have the course conducted at your facility. There […]

If non-repeatability is an issue and ambient vibration or mechanical looseness in the setup of the laser has been ruled out, then it may be of interest to check the bearing clearances. This can be accomplished very easily with a laser shaft alignment system. A little bit of information is necessary to accomplish this. We […]

Disclaimer: The author is not attempting to present himself as an authority on all available CM standards. This blog is simply an attempt to help those who may be unaware that such guidance exists or of the extent of such standards.   We previously discussed a series of international standards pertaining to condition monitoring of industrial equipment […]

When moving machines for alignment,  always use jackscrews. If you don’t have them, beating on the machine frame with a steel-face hammer is a lousy idea. First, you run the risk of damaging the bearings, seals, and other delicate components in your machines. Secondly, you have little control over the magnitude of your moves. Thirdly, […]

Shaft speed of machine being analyzed Type of bearings involved (sleeve vs. rolling element) Rolling element bearing part number(s) and manufacturer(s) Internal configuration of equipment Machine History Proper data collection location Proper sensor to use for data collection Proper data collection setups to ensure correct data is collected Is the primary energy sub-synchronous,  synchronous or […]

When you or your supervisor are planning attendance at a training course there is an important consideration to keep in mind. Have you met the prerequisites for the course you have selected? These prerequisites are dictated by the company presenting the course and take into account basic knowledge about the subject as well as exposure […]

Disclaimer: The author is not trying to present himself as an authority on all available CM standards. This blog post is simply an attempt to help those who may be unaware that such guidance exists or of the extent of such standards.   We previously discussed a series of international standards pertaining to condition monitoring of industrial equipment with […]

Make sure the surfaces of the vertical posts are clean. Improve the contact between the vertical post and the crossbar by applying a light coat of Vaseline or grease to the contact surface of the vertical post. The temperature probe should always be placed on or as close as possible to the inner race or […]

With over 14 years of experience in the complex industrial world, it has become evident that certain individual parts within pumps and motors stand out in reaping the benefits of precision alignment. Let’s start with pumps, an indispensable machine in various industrial processes for moving fluid through the plant and maintaining system pressures. Achieving precision […]

When it comes to analyzing vibration, sensor placement is key to quality of data capture.  Motors can be large, surrounded by equipment and difficult to access, so locating an area to place your vibration sensor can be harder than it looks. A poorly placed sensor can, at best, reduce the vibration getting to the sensing […]

Every person that performs vibration analysis develops their own analysis process.  Suggested steps at a minimum should include: 1. Open the spectrum (FFT) and locate the running speed peak and reset the reference speed to that speed.  Since all induction motors vary in speed based on the load,  this is necessary for accurate analysis, particularly at […]

Aligning belt drives and pulleys is crucial for several reasons: Efficiency: Precision belt pulley alignment ensures that power is transmitted smoothly from the belt to the pulley, maximizing the efficiency of the system. Misalignment can lead to energy losses and decreased overall performance. Such precision alignment is best achieved with tools such as the Easy-Laser […]

In the bustling world of industrial operations, machines are the workhorses, tirelessly powering production lines and driving progress. But just like any workhorse, they need their health monitored to ensure they’re performing at their peak. Enter vibration data—the secret weapon of predictive maintenance. Below are the top benefits of harnessing this data: Early Problem Detection […]

What is torque? By definition, torque is a twisting force, but as it pertains to fasteners, it is the amount of twist we put into that fastener to achieve clamping force with that fastener. Proper torque is the twisting force required to accurately apply the desired clamping force, working within the limitations of the fastener […]

‘The Cloud’ refers to software, services, and data that are stored on the internet.  However, this data is not just stored in a random location; it will be located on a group of computers operated by a service provider. Typically it will be Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, but other providers are available.  These companies have […]

Visiting more than 150 industrial sites has helped me realize that precision laser alignment tools have become a focal point in most companies’ maintenance strategies. One significant advantage of employing laser alignment tools is the unparalleled accuracy they offer in aligning rotating machinery. The precision achieved with these tools ensures that critical elements such as […]

Setting the correct lines of resolution (LOR) can sometimes be challenging. In the example below we have a single-stage increasing gearbox.  The gearbox is designed with three individual shafts (input shaft, intermediate shaft, and output shaft), all enclosed within a single gearbox housing. The speed of the input shaft is constant at 29.93 Hz (1796 […]

Everyone needs phase analysis. A phase study should be performed on problem machines when the source of the vibration is not clear, or when it is necessary to confirm suspected sources of vibration. A phase study might include points measured only on the machine bearings or it may include points over the entire machine from […]

One of the most critical issues affecting rotating machines is casing distortion. This article delves into what casing distortion means, how it impacts machine performance, and why it’s essential to address it in order to achieve reliable operation. Casing distortion is not only one of the biggest problems for rotating machinery, it’s also a very […]