An Introduction to Vibration Analysis

Vibration analysis starts with defining a series of potential faults. The series of faults are then logically sorted in a way that analysts can eliminate unlikely faults from the pool. Faults are eliminated by confirming evidence and/or refuting evidence. The Vibration Fault Periodic Table includes 35 faults found in rotating machinery applications. These faults are logically sorted and grouped with respect to Dominant Frequency Content, Dominant Directional Response, and finally will lead to a Diagnostic Recommendation that helps “zero-in” on the root cause.

Along with the Vibration Fault Periodic Table, transducers are used to measure vibration signatures, common nomenclature, detection capabilities and trending data. Amplitude is a severity parameter that can be defined as displacement, velocity, or acceleration. Designing a basic vibration trending program will help to better understand energy levels, and even more importantly, changes in those levels that might signal an impending problem in the machine.

Defining the Frequency Spectrum opens a whole new fault detection and analysis capability in remote trending and monitoring. The Vibration Fault Periodic Table frequency groupings include: Synchronous, Harmonic, Sub-Synchronous, Non-Synchronous, and Modulation.

Our introductory three-part webinar series covers all of these subjects mentioned above and has been viewed thousands of times on YouTube by people looking to get a leg up on vibration analysis. We've combined all three parts into one video that you can view below. Subscribe to our channel for more videos like these and be sure to check out the video below of our complete webinar series: "An Introduction to Vibration Analysis" hosted by Dan Ambre, PE, founder and principal engineer at Full Spectrum Diagnostics.

Presenter: Dan Ambre, PE, is the founder and principal engineer at Full Spectrum Diagnostics. The FSD Machinery Analysis Division specializes in Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) and Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) machinery diagnostics. Their Vibration Training and Certification Division makes use of these unique analyses by incorporating them into our course materials for a “real-life” training experience.