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Multichannel vibration analyser decreases maintenance costs

23rd August 2013

By: Zandile Mavuso

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

  

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The Microlog Analyzer AX – the multichannel vibration measurement monitoring equipment used on motor pumps – can increase productivity and decrease maintenance, as opposed to traditional single-channel vibration measurement monitoring equipment, reports ball and roller bearing supplier and manufacturer SKF.

The multichannel data collector increases the speed and efficiency of data collection and measurement to detect machine health and performance, after which it presents the data in a way that is easy to use and read. When machinery breaks down, so does productivity and overall profitability, says the company.

“Plant engineers and maintenance personnel need a diagnostic tool that quickly and reliably measures and stores readings, which, in turn, allow for the detection of changes in a machine’s health and performance. Ultimately, this will lead to increased plant uptime and enhanced profitability, which directly impacts on a bottom line.

“Therefore, using a reliable and effective condition-monitoring program to protect a facility’s maintenance and operations is a key consideration,” says SKF reliability systems business development manager Steve Gething.

He adds that the SKF Microlog Analyzer AX features special analysis software programs to perform operating deflection shape (ODS) analysis according to a structured procedure. An ODS is an animated picture that illustrates a machine’s movement, where it moves most and the area in which the deflection modes (flexible or rigid body) are present.

Owing to its illustrative characteristics, ODS analysis can also provide quick insight into the movements and associated problems of machinery structure as a function of frequency. It can, therefore, be a powerful analytical tool.

In addition to industry-proven SKF Acceleration Enveloping technology, the Microlog Analyzer AX provides the capabilities of four-channel nonroute/ two-channel or simultaneous triaxial route analysis, as well as two-channel balancing. This enables users to select from a range of application modules and create a customised device that suits their specific requirements, explains Gething.

SKF points out that traditional single- or dual-channel data collectors offer what can be a slow, cumbersome process for maintenance personnel, who may be hard-pressed to perform their assigned monitoring tasks as quickly as possible.

“To measure vibrations on a motor pump, standard practice requires the placement of the single vibration sensor on the nondrive end of the motor pump in the horizontal plane. When the data collector provides its results, these are compared with a predefined alarm limit and stored in the same data collector. Thereafter, the vibration sensor is repositioned to the vertical plane, where the process of measuring, comparing and storing is repeated.

“To complete the motor pump assess- ment, the sensor will need to be repositioned multiple times – once for each measurement point required along the machine train. For a large plant, at which several machines have to be surveyed, such a single-channel practice would take incrementally more time to complete,” explains Gething.

Using a multichannel data collector/ analyser with a triaxial sensor can accelerate the process significantly. A triaxial sensor consists of three independent sensors placed at 90º to each other and wired out on a multipin connector. A triaxial sensor eliminates the need to relocate the sensor in between the horizontal, vertical and axial locations, ultimately consolidating them into one location. As a result, three planes can be recorded simultaneously in the same amount of time that it takes to record one reading with a single-channel data collector.

Also, the Microlog Analyzer AX allows for modules to be added as a user’s needs evolve, thereby increasing the value of the hardware investment by upgrading capabilities without having to buy a new instrument.

Application modules include balancing, the frequency response function, run up/coast down and check to conformance. This range of application modules enables users to perform several advanced tasks, including digital recording, modal analysis, transient phenomena analysis and quality inspections – all with the same device.

The Microlog Analyzer AX has been available on the market since 2009 and SKF says new users can benefit from the speed, accuracy and consistency of triaxial and multichannel measurement capabilities, while advanced users can obtain some of the highest-quality analysis capabilities available – all in one full-featured instrument.

“As more operations use the multichannel analyser, their ability to increase personnel time and decrease maintenance costs improves, resulting in greater savings and an improved bottom line,” concludes Gething.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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