Application Note

SKF Microlog Recorder Module

Applications for the SKF Microlog Recorder module

Summary
The SKF Recorder module enables the SKF Microlog to act as a digital signal recorder, allowing you to record live data.

Applications for the SKF Recorder module

Embed *.wav files into engineering reports and presentations for playback by a reader. Provides a clear illustration of:
The nature of a sound or vibration signal
The difference between good and bad
Provides a backup of the original unprocessed signal so that it can be reprocessed in the case of a problem.
Email *.wav file back to headquarters for supporting analysis by a noise and vibration expert.
Access to a *.wav enables the use of third party analysis packages to process and display the data in ways that are not currently available
on the instrument.
Record and play back non-stationery signals and transient signals, such as drive by, fly by, run up, coast down and modal tests.
Logger: The ability to log and display semi-static signals (process variables) over a long period of time can help correlate cause and effect
(e.g., plot vibration level versus thermal expansion).
Recorder: The ability to record and display dynamic signals over a long period of time can assist in the diagnosis of faults that are transient
in nature (e.g., clicks, rubs, surges, etc.).

Figure 1. The Recorder icon and the Recorder Taking Data screen.

Example results
Recording times are proportional to the number of channels and frequency range (e.g., 1 GB at 2 channels at 1 kHz Fmax = 27 hours
26 minutes 14 seconds recording time).

Figure 2. Example result: 90 second record of tachometer and vibration during a machine start up, running and run down.

Examples of off line analysis of the .wav file

Figure 3. Bode.

Figure 5. Alternative FFT ranges.

Figure 4. Color spectrogram.

Record force and response to display:

Input
Response
FRF
Cross phase
Coherence

Figure 6. Example of record and off line modal analysis.

Recorder module settings

Figure 7. Recorder Setup screen.

Input: Record channel 1 only, channel 1 and 2, or channel 1 plus the tachometer input.
CH1 Type: Sets the engineering units of the sensor attached to channel 1.
Note: Volts (V) = DC coupled Volts AC = AC coupled.

Figure 8. CH1 Type options.

Sens1 (mV/g): Sets the calibration value for the sensor attached to channel 1 in millivolts per engineering unit.
Range1 (g): Sets the maximum expected signal range of the incoming signal. Make sure that the range chosen can accommodate
unexpected events. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and set levels 10 to 20 times higher than expected.

Figure 9. Levels set 10 to 20 times higher than expected.

In the example below, notice that the wave at the top left shows the input voltage range set when the machine is running at a steady speed.
Notice, however, that an input overload will occur if the machine goes through a resonance or if an impact occurs during acquisition.

Time
Figure 10. Example of input overload.

CH2 Type: If channel 2 is enabled, then the settings for channel 1 need to be repeated for channel 2.
Freq Range: Sets the maximum frequency of interest for recording and analysis.
Note: Signals at frequencies above the chosen range cannot be retrieved after the recording is complete.
Note: This value is the frequency bandwidth and not the sampling rate for digitization. The sampling frequency is provided in the information
box.
Save To: Sets the active memory for storage of data.
Note: Due to the large file sizes involved, it is strongly recommended that a SD card or PC card be used. Using the internal memory is likely
to restrict recording times.

Figure 11. Recorder Setup screen.

Rec. Time(s): Sets the recording time in seconds. The information panel displays the maximum time available for the memory type chosen,
memory free space, number of channels and frequency range.
Rec. Mode: Recording mode Manual starts recording when the operator pushes the Rec button. CH1 Level starts recording when the signal
level applied to channel 1 exceeds the level defined under Trig. Level.
Press Save to save the settings for future use. Press Start to proceed with recording.

Preview mode

Figure 12. SKF Microlog with Recorder Taking Data screen in preview mode.

Note: Pressing Start does not start recording, but rather enters the data preview mode. This shows an oscilloscope trace of the incoming
data to allow an assessment of the integrity of the data.
Press the up arrow () to increase the Y axis display.
Press 2 to view channel 2 data (if two channel recording enabled).
Press Back to adjust the settings, if required.
Press Rec to commence recording.

Recording mode
After pressing Rec, the time remaining clock will start counting down to indicate that recording is in progress. Recording can be temporarily
suspended by pressing Pause and resumed by pressing Resume.
Note: This is useful when calibrating for sound recordings. For example, record a 94 dB (1 Pascal) cal tone using a sound level calibrator.
Pause, remove the calibrator and resume to record the acoustic event. This leaves a 94 dB cal tone at the front of the *.wav file.
If the signal exceeds the chosen input range:
A text message appears on the screen
The red LED flashes during the overload
The yellow LED locks on to indicate that there has been an overload at some point during a recording

Figure 13. Recorder Taking Data screen, signal exceeding the chosen input range.

Saving .wav files

When the recording is complete, the instrument will automatically enter the Save Data display. Press Save to assign a file name and save the
recording.

Figure 14. Recorder Save Data screen.

The default filename is DD/MM/YYYY Hours/minutes/seconds of the time that the recording was finished. The keypad can be used to tack a
name at the end of the default name or replace it with a preferred filename. Press OK to save the file.

Figure 15. Recorder Save Data, Save As

screen.

Figure 16. Recorder Save Data, Writing File screen.

Transferring .wav files option 1

Use Active Sync and Windows Explorer to transfer files. Figures 17 and 18 show the suggested locations of where to store the transferred
files on a PC and the device.

Figure 17. Suggested locations on a PC.

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Figure 18. Fixed locations on Mobile Device.

Transferring .wav files option 2

Use a memory card, card reader and Windows Explorer to transfer files. Insert the card label side down. Push the card again to eject it.

Figure 19. Standard third-party card reader.

Figure 20. Bottom view of the SKF Microlog (card slot).

Opening .wav files free software

The simplest form of playback is to double-click the .wav file in Windows Explorer and use Windows Sound Recorder to listen to the data.
Your PC will require an audio output, and the use of good quality speakers with a frequency response down to 20 Hz is strongly recommended. Alternatively, you can use Windows Media Player.

Figure 21. Windows Sound Recorder.

Figure 22. Windows Media Player.

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Opening .wav files audio software

Third party audio packages can be useful for filtering signals. Packages such as Adobe Audition have FFT filters that can be dragged (live) to
isolate and listen to various components inside a machine.

Figure 23. Adobe Audition audio package.

For other third party audio packages, see:

http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/index.html
www.goldwave.com
www.ymec.com

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Opening .wav files professional instrumentation grade software

Audio software packages lack Y axis scaling in appropriate engineering units, the appropriate math functions and the signal extraction techniques used for professional noise and vibration analysis. The SKF Microlog stores readings as industry standard .wav files with a header that
includes appropriate engineering information. SKFs Analysis and Reporting Module (ARM) is required to correctly post process the .wav files.

Figure 24. Post processing options in the Analysis and Reporting Module.

Figure 25. Waterfall in the Analysis and Reporting Module.

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Figure 26. Color spectrogram in the Analysis and Reporting Module.

Please contact:
SKF Reliability Systems
SKF Condition Monitoring Center San Diego
5271 Viewridge Court San Diego, California 92123 USA
Tel: +1 858-496-3400 Fax: +1 858 496-3531
Web: www.skf.com/cm
SKF and MICROLOG are registered trademarks of the SKF Group.
Adobe Audition is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Windows, Windows Media and ActiveSync are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SKF Group 2011
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher and may not be reproduced (even extracts) unless prior written permission
is granted. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication but no liability can be accepted
for any loss or damage whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of the use of the information contained herein.
PUB CM3148 EN August 2011

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