0.1.1.

Multiparameter vibration analysis of various

defective stages of mechanical components

Summary
This paper presents the multiparameter vibration analysis approach (by means of two case
studies), highlighting its importance in the daily predictive maintenance activity of vibration
diagnosis of an assets health.

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Dr.Ing Doru Turcan
8 Pages
Published August, 2009

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Multiparameter vibration analysis of various defective stages of mechanical components

2009 SKF Group

1. Abstract
This paper presents the multiparameter vibration analysis approach (by means of two case
studies), highlighting its importance in the daily predictive maintenance activity of vibration
diagnosis of an assets health.
The vibration monitoring activity for asset health diagnosis commonly uses the following
parameters: vibration acceleration, vibration velocity, vibration displacement and also some
special parameters, such as enveloped acceleration, spike energy, etc.
The three common vibration parameters are typically used in the frequency ranges indicated in
the figure 1 below. The vibration displacement is commonly used in analyzing low frequency
vibration phenomena; the vibration acceleration is used to analyze high frequency vibration
phenomena (such is blade pass frequency, gear mesh frequency, etc); and the vibration velocity
is used for vibration ranging from 10 to 1000 Hz.

Figure 1. Vibration paprameter, typical frequency ranges

Vibration acceleration and vibration velocity are generally used to analyze periodic excitation
phenomena (misalignment, unbalance, etc) and random phenomena (cavitation, friction, etc).
To analyze repetitive impact phenomena (roller bearing early defect, faulty gear mesh, etc)
enveloped acceleration is more commonly used. In the following pages I will present a couple
of cases where multiparameter vibration analysis was used to evaluate the defect stage.

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2009 SKF Group

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2.

Roller bearing early defect stage of defect (NU320)

During its existence the roller bearing experiences vibrations caused by repetitive impact forces
and by periodic excitation forces. In the early stage of a defect (for example a defect on an
inner race) a rolling element will be excited by the repetitive impact forces when it passes over
a region where the metallic structure has deteriorated or where a small metallic part is
removed from its path. Those small vibrations will be analyzed using signal demodulation
(enveloped acceleration) and FFT, to obtain a spectrum showing dominant roller bearing
frequencies of defect (fig.2).

Figure 2. Specific roller bearing defect frequencies pattern spectrum

Figure 3 below shows the moment when the defect frequencies are showing up in the
enveloped acceleration spectra.

Figure 3. Roller bearing evolution in time towards first step of defect

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2009 SKF Group

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The vibration velocity spectrum taken from the same position, and at the same time as the
above enveloped acceleration is shown below at fig.4.

Figure 4. Velocity spectrum

In this last spectrum can be see that the defect markers do not align with the frequency peaks.
So, the vibration velocity will not show an early roller bearing defect, since in this situation the
repetitive forces dont cause the vibration.
A deeper analysis of the velocity waterfall (Fig 5 below) does reveal, however, the possible
cause of the bearing defect. We can see that the fundamental frequency amplitude (1X the
rotation frequency of the asset shaft) has increased significantly. Unbalance could be the cause
in this situation.

Figure 5. Vibration velocity spectrum - evolution in time

Multiparameter vibration analysis of various defective stages of mechanical components

2009 SKF Group

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The evolution in time of the vibration acceleration, measured in the same conditions as the
other two parameters, shows that this parameter has encountered a change in its spectrum
shape (fig.6) and an increasing overall value trend (fig.7). The repetitive impact forces cause an
increase in the high frequency amplitudes, resulting in a the rise of the overall value of this
parameter.

Figure 6. Spectral evolution in time of vibration acceleration

Figure 7. Overall trend of vibration acceleration

Thus in this case the multiparameter vibration analysis reveals the early stage defect of a roller
bearing and its possible cause.

3.

Gear Mesh Defect Cement mill gearbox first gear defect

Its common to have gear mesh frequency (GMF) in acceleration and velocity FFT spectra. In
the defect situation in the spectra can be seen multiple harmonics of those frequencies (GMF)
and well defined sidebands accompanying them (fig.8).

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2009 SKF Group

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Figure 8. Specific spectral pattern of gear mesh defect

In this case the specific spectral pattern of the defect is present in the spectrum and also an
increased vibration (velocity) overall value due to the gear mesh defect (figs.9 and 10).

Figure 9. Time evolution of gear mesh defect frequency

Figure 10. Overall trend of vibration velocity

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2009 SKF Group

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The confirmation of the defect stage has come from the analysis of the enveloped acceleration
spectra, which has shown the gear mesh defect frequency. This appearance, in the enveloped
acceleration spectra (Figs 11, 12, 13), is caused by the wear in the gear mesh that is producing
repetitive impact forces.

Figure 11. Defect gear frequency in the enveloped acceleration spectra

Figure 12. Time evolution of gear mesh defect frequency in the enveloped acceleration spectra

Figure 13. Overall trend of enveloped acceleration

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2009 SKF Group

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The gear mesh defect shows itself early in the velocity and acceleration spectra. In the final
stages this defect can be also be seen in enveloped acceleration spectrum because of the
presence of the repetitive impact forces from the gear mesh process.

4.

Conclusion

Each vibration parameter has its importance, depending upon the mechanical part, in the
determination of the defective stage: early, medium or final.
Choosing the right parameter, the proper frequency range, the proper measurement point
position and correct FFT analyzer set-up is based on the understanding of the mechanical
process and its behavior approaching the final defect stage.

5.

References

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Franz Reithuber, Vibration Principles - An Introduction to Spectrum Analysis Dr. Robert Jones, Vibration Monitoring of Bearings
Donald Howieson, Vibration Monitoring: Envelope Signal Processing
B. J. Woodley, Machine Condition MonitoringSources of Equipment and Services.
J. S. Rao and K. Gupta, Introductory Course on Theory and Practice of Mechanical
Vibrations, 2nd Edition, New Age International (P) Ltd, Publishers, pp. 459.
6. M. P. Srivastava, IRD Mechanalysis, Vibration Monitoring for Predictive Maintenance,
Purchase, August 1993.
7. B. K. N. Rao, Handbook of Condition Monitoring, 1st edition, Elsevier Advanced technology,
UK, pp.76, 1996.
8. B. R. Satyan and H. N. Nagarajan, Predictive Maintenance through Vibration Monitoring,
Technical article, Noise and Vibration Laboratory, CMTI, 1988.

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2009 SKF Group

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