Vibration Analyzers

7/27/2019 Vibration Analyzers

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Used Vibration Analyzers and other predictive maintenance technology is our emphasis:our goal is to provide a cost effective alternative to new equipment.Machine Balancing forshop or field balancing can be very cost effective when purchasing used. See DefiningMachine Balancingand ourDiagnostic Guides.

Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring are terms usedto describe technology for asset failure prediction. Examplesinclude vibration analysis, infrared imaging, oil analysis andultrasound. Machine balancing and laser alignment equipmenttechnology provide a means to accomplish a high standard toprecision in correction. Our goal is to help customers by being avaluable resource. Please contact us about any need you mighthave.

A vibration analyzeris also referred to as FFT spectrum

analyzers.SpectrumandFFTdefinitions can be found with theselinks. Vibration Meter and Vibration Data Collector are also common terms referring to aVibration Analyzer.

Machine fan balancing, machine laser alignment training and even vibration on-line systems,is our specialty at UsedVibration.com. We deal with all brands ranging fromEmersonComputational Systems Inc CSI, 2130, 2120, 2120-2, 2115, 2110, 2100, 2400,Mastertrend and RBMware Software;Rockwell Entek IRD Odyssey, Vibration Analyzers880, 245, 350, 810, Datapac 1500, 1250, 1000, Dataline, Enpac 1200, 2500: SKFMicrologCMVA10, CMVA55, CMVA60, CMVA65, Prism4 and Machine AnalystSoftware;Bently NevadaAdre, snapshot,Diagnostics InstrumentsDI-1100, DI-2200, PL-

302, are all examples.

Vibration Analysis like other PredictiveMaintenance technology allows formeasurement and analysis for quick andrelatively inexpensive way to detect andidentify mechanical problems before theybecome serious and force costlyunscheduled plant shut downs. Wornbearings, loose belts, improperly meshedgears, unbalanced shafts, misalignedcouplings, etc., are accompanied by

specific changes in signatures.Monitoring these changes permits

maintenance to be scheduled well in advance of a major break down.

Definitions for vibration analyzers, analyzers,

FFT Spectrum Analysis and Machine Balancing

Acceleration - The time rate of change of velocity. Typical units are ft/s/s, meters/s/s, andGs (1G = 32.17 ft/s/s = 9.81 m/s/s). Acceleration measurements are usually made withaccelerometers.
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The time rate of change of velocity - Typical units are ft/sec2 and g's (1 g = 32.17 ft/sec2 =386 in/sec2 = 9.81 meter/sec2). Acceleration measurements are made with accelerometers.By international agreement, the value 9.80665 m/s2 = 980,665 cm/s2 = 386.089 in/s2 =32.174 ft/s2 has been chosen as the standard acceleration due to gravity (g). ISO 2041(1990)

Accelerometer- Transducer whose output is directly proportional to acceleration. Mostcommonly use piezoelectric crystals to produce output.

Aliasing - A phenomenon which can occur whenever a signal is not sampled at greater thantwice the maximum frequency component. Causes high frequency signals to appear at lowfrequencies. Aliasing is avoided by filtering out signals greater than 1/2 the sample rate.

Alignment - A condition whereby the axes of machine components are either coincident,parallel or perpendicular, according to design requirements.

Amplification Factor (Synchronous) - A measure of the susceptibility of a rotor to vibration

amplitude when rotational speed is equal to the rotor natural frequency (implies a flexiblerotor). For imbalance type excitation, synchronous amplification factor is calculated bydividing the amplitude value at the resonant peak by the amplitude value at a speed wellabove resonance (as determined from a plot of synchronous response vs. rpm).

Amplitude - The magnitude of dynamic motion or vibration. Amplitude is expressed in termsof peak-to- peak, zero-to-peak, or rms. For pure sine waves only, these are related asfollows: rms = 0.707 times zero-to-peak; peakto- peak = 2 times zero-to-peak. DSAsgenerally display rms for spectral components, and peak for time domain components.

AMPLITUDE LIMITS - the Total vibration level "A" in a band, as defined by the following

equation, shall not exceed the Overall Amplitude Acceptance Limit specified for the Band

A = Overall vibration level in the BandAi = Amplitude in the ith line of resolution in theBand(i = 1) = The first line of resolution in the Band(i=N) = The last line of resolution in the BandN = The number of lines of resolution in the BandW = Window Factor (W = 1.5 for a HanningWindow)

Anti-Aliasing Filter- A lowpass filter designed to filter out frequenices higher than 40% the

sample rate in order to prevent aliasing.

Anti-Friction Bearing - See Rolling Element Bearing.

Asymetrical Support - Rotor support system that does not provide uniform restraint in allradial directions. This is typical for most heavy industrial machinery where stiffness in oneplane may be substantially different than stiffness in the perpendicular plane. Occurs inbearings by design, or from preloads such as gravity or misalignment

Asynchronous - Vibration components that are not related to rotating speed (also referred toas nonsynchronous).


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Attitude Angle (Steady-State) - The angle between the direction of steady-state preloadthrough the bearing centerline, and a line drawn between the shaft centerline and thebearing centerline. (Applies to fluid-film bearings.)

Auto Spectrum (Power Spectrum) - DSA spectrum display whose magnitude represents the

power at each frequency, and which has no phase. Rms averaging produces an autospectrum.

Averaging - In a DSA, digitally averaging several measurements to improve accuracy or toreduce the level of asynchronous components. Refer to definitions of rms, time, and peak-hold averaging.

Axial - In the same direction as the shaft centerline.

Axial Position - The average position, or change in position, of a rotor in the axial directionwith respect to some fixed reference position. Ideally the reference is a known position withinthe thrust bearing axial clearance or float zone, and the measurement is made with a

displacement transducer observing the thrust collar.

Balancing Resonance Speed(s) - A rotative speed that corresponds to a natural resonancefrequency.

Balanced Condition - For rotating machinery, a condition where the shaft geometriccenterline coincides with the mass centerline.

Balancing - A procedure for adjusting the radial mass distribution of a rotor so that the masscenterline approaches the rotor geometric centerline.

BAND-LIMITED OVERALL AMPLITUDE - For vibration level limits specified in terms of"BAND-LIMITED OVERALL

BAND LIMITED OVERALL READING: The vibration severity amplitude measured over afrequency range defined by a FMIN and a FMAX

Band-Pass Filter- A filter with a single transmission band extending from lower to uppercutoff frequencies. The width of the band is determined by the separation of frequencies atwhich amplitude is attenuated by 3 dB (0.707).

Bandwidth - The spacing between frequencies at which a band-pass filter attenuates thesignal by 3 dB. In a DSA, measurement bandwidth is equal to [(frequency span)/(number offilters) x (window factor)]. Window factors are: 1 for uniform, 1.5 for Hanning, and 3.63 for flattop.

Baseline Spectrum - A vibration spectrum taken when a machine is in good operatingcondition; used as a reference for monitoring and analysis.

Blade Passing Frequency - A potential vibration frequency on any bladed machine (turbine,axial compressor, fan, etc.). It is represented by the number of blades times shaft-rotatingfrequency.

BEATS: Periodic variations in the amplitude of an oscillation resulting from the combination

of two oscillations of slightly different frequencies. The beats occur at the differencefrequency. ISO 2041 (1990).


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BEAT FREQUENCY: The absolute value of the difference in frequency of two oscillations ofslightly different frequencies. ISO 2041 (1990)

BLADE PASS FREQUENCY (PUMPING FREQUENCY): A potential vibration frequency onany bladed machine (turbine, axial compressor, fan, pump, etc.). It is represented by the

number of fan blades or pump vanes times shaft rotating frequency.

Block Size - The number of samples used in a DSA to compute the Fast Fourier Transform.Also the number of samples in a DSA time display. Most DSAs use a block size of from 250to 8192. Smaller block size reduces resolution.

Bode Plot - Rectangular coordinate plot of 1x component amplitude and phase (relative to akeyphasor) vs. running speed.

BPFO, BPFI - Common abbreviations for ball pass frequency of defects on outer and innerbearing races, respectively.

Bow - A shaft condition such that the geometric centerline of the shaft is not straight. Alsocalled shaft sag.

Brinneling (False) - Impressions made by bearing rolling elements on the bearing race;typically caused by external vibration when the shaft is stationary.

Calibration - A test during which known values of the measured variable are applied to thetransducer or readout instrument, and output readings varied or adjusted.

Campbell Diagram - A mathematically constructed diagram used to check for coincidence ofvibration sources (i.e. 1 x imbalance, 2 x misalignment) with rotor natural resonances. The

form of the diagram is a rectangular plot of resonant frequency (y-axis) vs excitationfrequency (x-axis). Also known as an interference diagram.

Cascade Plot - See Spectral Map.

Cavitation - A condition which can occur in liquid-handling machinery (e.g. centrifugalpumps) where a system pressure decrease in the suction line and pump inlet lowers fluidpressure and vaporization occurs. The result is mixed flow which may produce vibration.

Center Frequency - For a bandpass filter, the center of the transmission band.

Charge Amplifier- Amplifier used to convert accelerometer output impedance from high tolow, making calibration much less dependent on cable capacitance.

Coherence - The ratio of coherent output power between channels in a dual-channel DSA.An effective means of determining the similarity of vibration at two locations, giving insightinto the possibility of cause and effect relationships.

COMPLETE MACHINE: A complete machine is defined as the entire assembly ofcomponents, sub-components, and structure, which is purchased to perform a specifictask(s). On a Complete Machine Assembly with all individual components operating in theirnormal operating condition, mode, and sequence, the Component Vibration Level Limits forthe complete machine acceptance are the same as when the component is tested

individually.


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Constant Bandwidth Filter- A band-pass filter whose bandwidth is independent of centerfrequency. The filters simulated digitally in a DSA are constant bandwidth.

Constant Percentage Bandwidth - A band-pass filter whose bandwidth is a constantpercentage of center frequency. 1/3 octave filters, including those synthesized in DSAs, are

constant percentage bandwidth.

Critical Machinery - Machines which are critical to a major part of the plant process. Thesemachines are usually unspared.

Critical Speeds - In general, any rotating speed which is associated with high vibrationamplitude. Often, the rotor speeds which correspond to natural frequencies of the shaft orthe system.

Critical Speed Map - A rectangular plot of system natural frequency (y-axis) versus bearingor support stiffness (x-axis).

Cross Axis Sensitivity - A measure of off-axis response of velocity and accelerationtransducers.

Cycle - One complete sequence of values of a periodic quantity.

Damping - The quality of a mechanical system that restrains the amplitude of motion witheach successive cycle. Damping of shaft motion is provided by oil in bearings, seals, etc.The damping process converts mechanical energy to other forms, usually heat.

Damping, Critical - The smallest amount of damping required to return the system to itsequilibrium position without oscillation.

Decibels (dB) - A logarithmic representation of amplitude ratio, defined as 20 times the baseten logarithm of the ratio of the measured amplitude to a reference. dB readings, forexample, are referenced to 1 volt rms. dB or Log amplitude scales are required to display thefull dynamic range of a DSA.

Degrees Of Freedom - A phrase used in mechanical vibration to describe the complexity ofthe system. The number of degrees of freedom is the number of independent variablesdescribing the state of a vibrating system.

Digital Filter- A filter which acts on data after it has been sampled and digitized. Often usedin DSAs to provide anti-aliasing protection after internal re-sampling.

Differentiation - Representation in terms of time rate of change. For example, differentiatingvelocity yields acceleration. In a DSA, differentiation is performed by multiplication by jw,where w is frequency multiplied by 2p. (Differentiation can also be used to convertdisplacement to velocity.)

Discrete Fourier Transform - A procedure for calculating discrete frequency components(filters or lines) from sampled time data. Since the frequency domain result is complex (i.e.,real and imaginary components), the number of points is equal to half the number ofsamples.

DISPLACEMENT: The distance traveled by a vibrating object. For purposes of thisdocument, displacement represents the total distance traveled by a vibrating part or surface


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from the maximum position of travel in one direction to the maximum position of travel in theopposite direction (Peak-to-Peak) and is measured in the unit mil (1 mil = 0.001 inch).

Displacement Transducer- A transducer whose output is proportional to the distancebetween it and the measured object (usually the shaft).

DSA - See Dynamic Signal Analyzer.

Dual Probe - A transducer set consisting of displacement and velocity transducers.Combines measurement of shaft motion relative to the displacement transducer with velocityof the displacement transducer to produce absolute motion of the shaft.

Dual Voting - Concept where two independent inputs are required before action (usuallymachine shutdown) is taken. Most often used with axial position measurements, wherefailure of a single transducer might lead to an unnecessary shutdown.

DYNAMIC MASS: To determine if the mass of the transducer is effecting the measurement,

perform the following steps:a. Make the desired measurement with the accelerometer.b. Place a mass equivalent to the mass of the accelerometer adjacent to the measuring

accelerometer.c. Repeat the measurement.d. Compare data from a. and c.e. If any differences (i.e. shift in frequencies) between a. and c. exist, then a less massive

transducer should be used in a.

Dynamic Motion - Vibratory motion of a rotor system caused by mechanisms that are activeonly when the rotor is turning at speeds above slow roll speed.

DYNAMIC RANGE - The difference between the highest measurable signal level and thelowest measurable signal level that is detectable for a given Amplitude Range setting.Dynamic Range is usually expressed in decibels, typically 60 to 90 dB for moderninstruments.

Dynamic Signal Analyzer (DSA) - Vibration analyzer that uses digital signal processing andthe Fast Fourier Transform to display vibration frequency components. DSAs also displaythe time domain and phase spectrum, and can usually be interfaced to acomputer.

Eccentricity, Mechanical - The variation of the outer diameter of a shaft surface when

referenced to the true geometric centerlineof the shaft. Out-of-roundness.

Eccentricity Ratio - The vector difference between the bearing centerline and the averagesteadystate journal centerline.

Eddy Current - Electrical current which is generated (and dissipated) in a conductivematerial in the presence of an electromagnetic field.

Electrical Runout - An error signal that occurs in eddy current displacement measurementswhen shaft surface conductivity varies.

Engineering Units - In a DSA, refers to units that are calibrated by the user (e.g., in/s, gs).


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External Sampling - In a DSA, refers to control of data sampling by a multiplied tachometersignal. Provides a stationary display of vibration with changing speed.

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) - A computer (or microprocessor) procedure for calculatingdiscrete frequency components from sampled time data. A special case of the discrete

Fourier transform where the number of samples is constrained to a power of 2.

FFT ANALYZER: Vibration analyzer that uses the Fast Fourier Transform to display vibrationfrequency components.

FIELD BALANCING: The process of balancing a rotor in its own bearings and supportingstructure rather than in a balancing machine.

Filter- Electronic circuitry designed to pass or reject a specific frequency band.

Filtered Orbit - An orbit diagram in which the vertical and horizontal displacement signalshave been filtered. This is normally a bandpass filter centered at a running speed, however,

digital systems are capable of multiple bandpass regions.

Finite Element Modeling - A computer aided design technique for predicting the dynamicbehavior of a mechanical system prior to construction. Modeling can be used, for example,to predict the natural frequencies of a flexible rotor.

Flat Top Filter- DSA window function which provides the best amplitude accuracy formeasuring discrete frequency components.

Flexible ROTOR: A rotor that deforms significantly at running speed. This term is used forrotors that operate close to or above their first critical speed. A rotor is considered flexible

when its speed is more than 75% of its lowest natural frequency in bending.

Fluid-Film Bearing - A bearing which supports the shaft on a thin film of oil. The fluid-filmlayer may be generated by journal rotation (hydrodynamic bearing), or by externally appliedpressure (hydrostatic bearing).

Forced Vibration - The oscillation of a system under the action of a forcing function.Typically forced vibration occurs at the frequency of the exciting force.

Free Vibration - Vibration of a mechanical system following an initial force typically at oneor more natural frequencies.

Frequency - The repetition rate of a periodic event, usually expressed in cycles per second(Hz), revolutions per minute (rpm), or multiples of a rotational speed (orders). Orders arecommonly referred to as 1x for rotational speed, 2x for twice rotational speed, etc.

FREQUENCY DOMAIIN: Presentation of a signal whose arnplitude is measured on the Yaxis, and the frequency is measured on the X-axis.

FREQUENCY RESOLUTION (DF): D f = (FMAX - FMIN)/# Lines of resolution. Df representsthe minirnum spacing between data points in the spectrurn.

FMAX: Maximum Frequency Limit of the spectrum being evaluated.

FMIN: Minimum Frequency Limit of the spectrum being evaluated.


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Frequency Response - The amplitude and phase response characteristics of a system.Portion of the frequency spectrum which can be covered within specified frequency limits. g:The value of acceleration produced by the force of gravity. (32.17 ft/sec2, 386 in/sec2, 9.81m/sec2).

G - The value of acceleration produced by the force of gravity.

Gear Mesh Frequency - A potential vibration frequency on any machine that contains gears;equal to the number of teeth multiplied by the rotational frequency of the gear.

Hanning Window - DSA window function that provides better frequency resolution than theflat top window, but with reduced amplitude accuracy.

Harmonic - Frequency component at a frequency that is an integer multiple of thefundamental frequency.

Heavy Spot - The angular location of the imbalance vector at a specific lateral location on a

shaft. The heavy spot typically does not change with rotational speed.

Hertz (Hz) - The unit of frequency represented by cycles per second.

High Spot - The angular location on the shaft directly under the vibration transducer at thepoint of closest proximity. The high spot can move with changes in shaft dynamics (e.g.,from changes in speed).

High-Pass Filter- A filter with a transmission band starting at a lower cutoff frequency andextending to (theoretically) infinite frequency.

Hysteresis - Non-uniqueness in the relationship between two variables as a parameterincreases or decreases. Also called deadband, or that portion of a systems response wherea change in input does not produce a change in output.

Imbalance - Unequal radial weight distribution on a rotor system; a shaft condition such thatthe mass and shaft geometric centerlines do not coincide.

Impact Test - Response test where the broad frequency range produced by an impact isused as the stimulus. Sometimes referred to as a bump test.

Impedance, Mechanical - The mechanical properties of a machine system (mass, stiffness,damping) that determine the response to periodic forcing functions.

Influence Coefficients - Mathematical coefficients that describe the influence of systemloading on system deflection.

Integration - A process producing a result that, when differentiated, yields the originalquantity. Integration of acceleration, for example, yields velocity. Integration is performed ina DSA by dividing by jw, where w is frequency multiplied by 2p. (Integration is also used toconvert velocity to displacement).

Journal - Specific portions of the shaft surface from which rotor applied loads are transmittedto bearing supports.


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Keyphasor- A signal used in rotating machinery measurements, generated by a transducerobserving a once-per-revolution event. The keyphasor signal is used in phasemeasurements for analysis and balancing.

Lateral Location - The definition of various points along the shaft axis of rotation.

Lateral Vibration - See Radial Vibration.

LARGE APPARATUS AC/DC MOTORS: Reference NEMA Publication No. MG 1, Motors andGenerators, Section III

LARGE MACHINES: Part 20. Induction Machines, Part 21. Synchronous Motors, and Part23. DC Motors.

Leakage - In DSAs, a result of finite time record length that results in smearing of frequencycomponents. Its effects are greatly reduced by the use of weighted window functions suchas flat top and Hanning.

Linearity - The response characteristics of a linear system remain constant with input level.That is, if the response to input a is A, and the response to input b is B, then the response ofa linear system to input (a + b) will be (A + B). An example of a non-linear system is onewhose response is limited by mechanical stop, such as occurs when a bearing mount isloose.

LINE AMPLITUDE LIMIT: The maximum amplitude of any line of resolution contained withina band shall not exceed the Line Amplitude Acceptance Limit for the Band.

Lines. Common term used to describe the filters of a DSA (e.g., 400 line analyzer).

LINE OF RESOLUTION: A single data point from a spectrum which contains vibrationamplitude information. The Line of Resolution amplitude is the Band Overall Amplitude of thefrequencies contained in the Af Frequency Resolution.

Linear Averaging - See Time Averaging. Low-Pass Filter. A filter whose transmission bandextends from dc to an upper cutoff frequency.

LINEAR NON-OVERLAPPING AVERAGE: An averaging process where each Time blocksample used in the averaging process contains data not contained in other Time blocks (i.e.Non-overlapping) used in the averaging. Linear averaging is performed in the FrequencyDomain, and each sample is weighted equally.

MEASUREMENT POINT: A location on a machine or component at which vibrationmeasurements are made.

Mechanical Runout - An error in measuring the position of the shaft centerline with adisplacement probe that is caused by out-of-roundness and surface imperfections.

Micrometer (MICRON) - One millionth (.000001) of a meter. (1 micron = 1 x E-6 meters @0.04 mils.)

MIL - One thousandth (0.001) of an inch. (1 mil = 25.4 microns.)


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Modal Analysis - The process of breaking complex vibration into its component modes ofvibration, very much like frequency domain analysis breaks vibration down to componentfrequencies.

Mode Shape - The resultant deflected shape of a rotor at a specific rotational speed to an

applied forcing function. A threedimensional presentation of rotor lateral deflection along theshaft axis.

Modulation, Amplitude (AM) - The process where the amplitude of a signal is varied as afunction of the instantaneous value of another signal. The first signal is called the carrier,and the second signal is called the modulating signal. Amplitude modulation produces acomponent at the carrier frequency, with adjacent components (sidebands) at the frequencyof the modulating signal.

Modulation, Frequency (FM) - The process where the frequency of the carrier is determinedby the amplitude of the modulating signal. Frequency modulation produces a component atthe carrier frequency, with adjacent components (sidebands) at the frequency of the

modulating signal.

Natural Frequency - The frequency of free vibration of a system. The frequency at which anundamped system with a single degree of freedom will oscillate upon momentarydisplacement from its rest position.

Nodal Point - A point of minimum shaft deflection in a specific mode shape. May readilychange location along the shaft axis due to changes in residual imbalance or other forcingfunction, or change in restraint such as increased bearing clearance.

Noise - Any component of a transducer output signal that does not represent the variable

intended to be measured.

Nyquist Criterion - Requirement that a sampled system sample at a frequency greater thantwice thehighest frequency to be measured.

Nyquist Plot - A plot of real versus imaginary spectral components that is often used inservo analysis. Should not be confusedwith a polar plot of amplitude and phase of 1x vibration.

Octave - The interval between two frequencies with a ratio of 2 to 1.

Oil Whirl/Whip - An unstable free vibration whereby a fluidfilm bearing has insufficient unit

loading. Under this condition, the shaft centerline dynamic motion is usually circular in thedirection of rotation. Oil whirl occurs at the oil flow velocity within the bearing, usually 40 to49% of shaft speed. Oil whip occurs when the whirl frequency coincide with (and becomeslocked to) a shaft resonant frequency. (Oil whirl and whip can occur in any case where fluidis between two cylindrical surfaces.)

ORDER: A unit of frequency unique to rotating machinery wbere the first order is equal torotational speed. See FREQUENCY

Power Spectrum - See Auto Spectrum.


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Preload, Bearing - The dimensionless quantity that is typically expressed as a number fromzero to one where a preload of zero indicates no bearing load upon the shaft, and oneindicates the maximum preload (i.e., line contact between shaft and bearing).

Preload, External - Any of several mechanisms that can externally load a bearing. This

includes soft preloads such as process fluids or gravitational forces as well ashardpreloads from gear contact forces, misalignment, rubs, etc.

Proximitor- See Oscillator/ Demodulator.

Radial - Direction perpendicular to the shaft centerline.

Radial Position - The average location, relative to the radial bearing centerline, of the shaftdynamic motion.

Radial Vibration - Shaft dynamic motion or casing vibration which is in a directionperpendicular to the shaft centerline.

Real-Time Analyzer- See Dynamic Signal Analyzer.

Real-Time Rate - For a DSA, the broadest frequency span at which data is sampledcontinuously. Real-time rate is mostly dependent on FFT processing speed.

Rectangular Window - See Uniform Window.

Orbit - The path of the shaft centerline motion during rotation. The orbit is observed with anoscilloscope connected to x and yaxis displacement transducers. Some dual-channel DSAsalso have the ability to display orbits.

Oscillator-Demodulator- A signal conditioning device that sends a radio frequency signal toan eddy-current displacement probe, demodulates the probe output, and provides outputsignals proportional to both the average and dynamic gap distances. (Also referred to asProximitor, a Bently Nevada trade name.)

PEAK: Refers to the maximum of the units being measured, i.e., peak velocity, peakacceleration, peak displacement.

PEAK-TO-PEAK: Refers to the displacement from one travel extreme to tbe otber travelextreme. In English units, tbis is measured in mils (.001 inch) and in metric units it isexpressed in micro-meter pM (.000001 meters).

Peak Hold - In a DSA, a type of averaging that holds the peak signal level for eachfrequency component.

Period - The time required for a complete oscillation or for a single cycle of events. Thereciprocal of frequency.

PHASE (PHASE ANGLE): The relative position, measured in degrees, of a vibrating part atany instant in time to a fixed point or another vibrating part. The Phase Angle (usually indegrees) is tbe angle between tbe instantaneous position of a vibrating part and thereference position. It represents the portion of tbe vibration cycle through which tbe part has

moved relative to tbe reference position .


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PRECISION SPINI)LE: Spindles used in machining processes which require high accuracy,high speed, or both

Piezoelectric - Any material which provides a conversion between mechanical and electricalenergy. For a piezoelectric crystal, if mechanical stresses are applied on two opposite faces,

electrical charges appear on some other pair of faces.

Polar Plot - Polar coordinate representation of the locus of the 1x vector at a specific lateralshaft location with the shaft rotational speed as a parameter.

RADIAL MEASUREMENT: Measurements taken perpendicular to tbe axis of rotation.

RADIAL VIBRATION: Shaft dynamic motion or casing vibration which is in a directionperpendicular to the shaft centerline.

Relative Motion - Vibration measured relative to a chosen reference. Displacementtransducers generally measure shaft motion relative to the transducer mounting.

Repeatability - The ability of a transducer or readout instrument to reproduce readings whenthe same input is applied repeatedly.

Resolution - The smallest change in stimulus that will produce a detectable change in theinstrument output.

Resonance - The condition of vibration amplitude and phase change response caused by acorresponding system sensitivity to a particular forcing frequency. A resonance is typicallyidentified by a substantial amplitude increase, and related phase shift.

RIGID ROTOR: A rotor that does not deform significantly at running speed. A rotor whoseparts do not take up motion relative to each other, i.e., all points move in the same directionat the same instant of time. A rotor is considered rigid when its speed is less than 75% of itslowest natural frequency in bending.

RMS: (Root mean square) Equal to 0.707 times the peak of a sinusoidal signal.

Rolling Element Bearing - Bearing whose low friction qualities derive from rolling elements(balls or rollers), with little lubrication.

Root Mean Square (rms) - Square root of the arithmetical average of a set of squaredinstantaneous values. DSAs perform rms averaging digitally on successive vibration spectra.

ROTATIONAL SPEED: The number of times an object completes one complete revolutionper unit of time, e.g., 1800 RPM

Rotor, Flexible - A rotor which operates close enough to, or beyond its first bending criticalspeed for dynamic effects to influence rotor deformations. Rotors which cannot be classifiedas rigid rotors are considered to be flexible rotors.

Rotor, Rigid - A rotor which operates substantially below its first bending critical speed. Arigid rotor can be brought into, and will remain in, a state of satisfactory balance at alloperating speeds when balanced on any two arbitrarily selected correction planes.

RPM Spectral Map - A spectral map of vibration spectra versus rpm.


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Runout Compensation - Electronic correction of a transducer output signal for the errorresulting from slow roll runout.

Seismic - Refers to an inertially referenced measurement or a measurement relative to freespace.

Seismic Transducer- A transducer that is mounted on the case or housing of a machineand measures casing vibration relative to free space. Accelerometers and velocitytransducers are seismic.

SIDE BAND: Equals the frequency of interest plus or minus one times the frequency of theexciting force.

Signal Conditioner- A device placed between a signal source and a readout instrument tochange the signal. Examples: attenuators, preamplifiers, charge amplifiers.

Signature - Term usually applied to the vibration frequency spectrum which is distinctive and

special to a machine or component, system or subsystem at a specific point in time, underspecific machine operating conditions, etc. Used for historical comparison of mechanicalcondition over the operating life of the machine.

Slow Roll Speed - Low rotative speed at which dynamic motion effects from forces such asimbalanceare negligible.

SMALL (FRACTIONAL) AND MEDIUM (INTEGRAL) HORSEPOWER AC/DC

MOTORS: Reference NEMA Publication No. MG 1, Section II SMALL (FRACTIONAL) ANDMEDIUM (INTEGRAL) MACHINES. Part 12. Tests and Performance - AC and DC Motors.

Spectral Map - A three-dimensional plot of the vibration amplitude spectrum versus anothervariable, usually time or rpm.

Spectrum Analyzer- An instrument which displays the frequency spectrum of an inputsignal.

Stiffness - The spring-like quality of mechanical and hydraulic elements to elasticity deformunder load.

Strain - The physical deformation, deflection, or change in length resulting from stress (forceper unit area).

Subharmonic - Sinusoidal quantity of a frequency that is an integral submultiple of afundamental frequency.

Subsynchronous - Component(s) of a vibration signal which has a frequency less than shaftrotative frequency.

Synchronous Sampling - In a DSA, it refers to the control of the effective sampling rate ofdata; which includes the processes of external sampling and computed resampling used inorder tracking.

Time Averaging - In a DSA, averaging of time records that results in reduction ofasynchronous components.


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Time Record - In a DSA, the sampled time data converted to the frequency domain by theFFT. Most DSAs use a time record of 1024 samples.

TIME DOMAIN: Presentation of a signal whose amplitude is measured on the Y axis and thetime period is measured on the X axis.

Torsional Vibration - Amplitude modulation of torque measured in degrees peak-to-peakreferenced to the axis of shaft rotation.

Tracking Filter- A low-pass or band-pass filter which automatically tracks the input signal. Atracking filter is usually required for aliasing protection when data sampling is controlledexternally.

TRANSDUCER (PICKUP) -VIBRATION: A device that converts shock or vibratory motion intoan electrical signal that is proportional to a parameter of the vibration measured. Transducerselection is related to the frequencies of vibration which are important to the analysis of thespecific machine(s) being evaluated/analyzed.

Transient Vibration. - Temporarily sustained vibration of a mechanical system. It mayconsist of forced or free vibration or both. Typically this is associated with changes inmachine operating condition such as speed, load, etc.

Transverse Sensitivity - See Cross-Axis Sensitivity.

Trigger- Any event which can be used as a timing reference. In a DSA, a trigger can beused to initiate a measurement.

Unbalance - See Imbalance.

Uniform Window - In a DSA, a window function with uniform weighting across the timerecord. This window does not protect against leakage, and should be used only withtransient signals contained completely within the time record.

Vector- A quantity which has both magnitude and direction (phase).

VELOCITY: The time rate of change of displacement with respect to some referenceposition. For purposes of this document, velocity is measured in the units Inch per second-Peak.

Waterfall Plot - See Spectral Map.


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Centrifugal force acts upon the entire mass of a rotating component, impelling eachparticle outward and away from the axis of rotation in a radial direction. If the massof a rotating component is evenly distributed about its shaft axis, the part is"balanced" and rotates without vibration. However, if an excess of mass exists onone side of a rotor, the centrifugal force acting upon this heavy side exceeds the

centrifugal force exerted by the light side and pulls the entire rotor in the directionof the heavy side.

An unbalanced rotorwill cause vibration and stress in the rotor itself and in itssupporting structure. Balancing of the rotor is therefore necessary.

Unbalance in just one rotating component of an assembly may cause the entireassembly to vibrate. This induced vibration in turn may cause excessive wear inbearings, bushings, shafts, spindles, gears, etc., substantially reducing theirservice life. Vibrations setup highly undesirable alternating stresses in structuralsupports and housings which may eventually lead to their complete failure.Performance is decreased because of the absorption of energy by the supporting

structure. Vibrations may be transmitted through the floor to adjacent machineryand seriously impair its accuracy or proper functioning.Vibration AnalysisTechnical Papers

Machine Balancing Standards ISO1949 andANSI219

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