Critical machinery

Identify machines whose failure affects production. Review the bearing type, operating speed, existing instrumentation and required protection functions before selecting a solution.

Electric motors, steam turbines, gas turbines and expanders have different bearing and shaft arrangements. Choose measurement points to match those arrangements.

Review rolling-element bearing condition, fan speed and the role of the machine in production. Permanently installed sensors help improve repeatability.

Large draft fans may use sleeve bearings and operate at lower speeds. Shaft motion and bearing-housing vibration provide complementary information.

Pumps, compressors, fans and blowers need measurements selected around bearing construction and the behaviour of the driven machine.

Consider input and output shafts, bearing locations and the vibration frequencies associated with the gearbox when selecting sensors and acquisition settings.

Combine the required cylinder vibration measurements with rod-drop monitoring to investigate wear and changes in piston-rod position.