Machine vibration monitor

Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

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December 2004 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

IFM Efector's Octavis vibration monitor detects rolling element bearing failures and shaft unbalance conditions on critical plant equipment such as pumps, motors, compressors, fans and spindles. Octavis is permanently mounted on plant equipment to continuously monitor a machine's operating condition through vibration analysis. Octavis has the processing capability to analyse a vibration signature and to predict failures in advance by sending an alarm output signal to a PLC or relay.

The instrument incorporates a MEMS accelerometer, analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, digital signal processor (DSP) and diagnostic electronics in a compact 40 x 40 mm package. These electronic components enable the monitor to gather, process and interpret vibration data. The accelerometer monitors the acceleration value via a change in capacitance signal, while the A/D converter transforms the analog signal from the MEMS sensor to a digital signal. An integrated DSP performs mathematical calculations to convert the time domain vibration signal into a frequency domain signal by means of a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The integrated DSP can process up to 32 000 calculations per second.

Configuration software is used to input application parameters such as bearing dimensions and shaft speed. These inputs allow Octavis to monitor only critical frequencies in the vibration spectrum and ignore all external noise. One Efector Octavis monitor can detect up to five different rolling elements on a machine.

Pushbutton programming includes a teach button with an integrated alarm display. The monitor generates a switching alarm when there is a large increase in amplitude for a critical frequency. The alarm display provides two switching outputs that indicate an early warning alarm and a critical alarm.

The monitor has two connectors for power and software connection. A standard micro DC connector is used to connect the monitor to a power source or output device. A PC or laptop is connected to the monitor via its RS232 connector and set-up cable. IFM Electronic is represented locally by Shorrock Automation.

For more information contact Chris Huxham, Shorrock Automation, 012 345 4449, [email protected], www.shorrock.co.za

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Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

Machine vibration monitor

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