In laymen terms, vibration in motorized equipment is merely the back-and-forth movement or oscillation of machines and components, such as drive motors, driven devices and the bearings, shafts, gears, belts and other elements that make up motorized systems.
Vibration in industrial equipment can be both a sign and a source of trouble. Other times, vibration just “goes with the territory” as a normal part of machine operation, and should not cause undue concern. But how can the plant maintenance professional tell the difference between acceptable, normal vibration and the kind of vibration that requires immediate attention to service or replace troubled equipment?
With a basic understanding of vibration and its causes – and equipped with a vibration testing device – the maintenance professional can quickly and reliably determine the cause and severity of most machine vibration and receive recommendations for repair. It’s all done with the intelligence built into the tester, without the extensive monitoring and recording required for typical, long-term programs.
Vibration is not always a problem. In some tasks, vibration is essential. Machines such as oscillating sanders and vibratory tumblers use vibration to remove materials and finish surfaces. Vibratory feeders use vibration to move materials. In construction, vibrators are used to help concrete settle into forms and compact fill materials. Vibratory rollers help compress asphalt used in highway paving.
In other cases, vibration is inherent in machine design. For instance, some vibration is almost unavoidable in the operation of reciprocating pumps and compressors, internal combustion engines, and gear drives. In a well-engineered, well-maintained machine, such vibration should be no cause for concern.