Measurement methods and technologies
There is no single method which can measure everything at a reasonable price. However, if you define the target (the expected machine fault, which you must do in any case), you can easily pick the monitoring method which will provide the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable result.
Bearing monitoring (SPM® Method) The primary targets are rolling bearings (damage and lubrication condition). In many applications, these are the only machine elements which need monitoring. The method also reacts to shaft misalignment, cavitation, and other faults. It requires little input data and is fast and easy to apply. So if bearing failure is the fault that interests us the most. This is a very cost effective method to pursue.
Bearing analysis (SPM Spectrum™) Shocks generated by damaged bearings will typically have an occurrence pattern matching the ball pass frequency over the rotating race. Shocks from e. g. damaged gears have different patterns, while random shocks from disturbance sources have none.
Vibration severity measurement
Very efficient for detecting the most common machine faults, such as imbalance, structural weakness, loose parts. Little input data needed, easy to apply.
Vibration spectrum analysis (EVAM® Method) Requires considerably more input to make sense of the data but, used in connection with our comprehensive analysing software, allows you to target difficult problems where other methods cannot give accurate answers.
Balancing Balancing can be performed with handheld instruments as Leonova or T30. Described here are the balancing functions of Leonova. For more information about balancing please contact your local SPM office or read further in your instrument manual.
Structural resonance Run up/Coast down measurement and Bump test are tools for root cause analysis. They show the machine frame vibration characteristics, resonance frequencies and the reaction at critical speeds