NAME: Combate, Anthony Jay A.

COURSE/YEAR: BSME3A
DATE DUE: February 5, 2021 DATE SUBMITTED:

TOPIC 1: (Vibration Measurement)

DIMENSION RATING TOTAL

Content 5 4 3 2 1
Quality 5 4 3 2 1
Format 5 4 3 2 1
Sequencing 5 4 3 2 1
Examples 5 4 3 2 1
Timeliness 5 4 3 2 1

Objectives:
1. Know the importance of vibration measurement.
2. Identify the different types and uses of transducers and isolators.
3. Understand the concept
4. Discuss the various applications of vibration measurement.

Discussions:
Vibration measurement, from the word itself measures vibration. “Vibration Measurement
Instruments” (2021) explains that vibration is a simple harmonic motion. It also states that
the oscillation about a reference point can be modeled mathematically as:
x ( t )= Xsinωt
In relation, machines, according to CAS Dataloggers, are exposed to many different
vibrations (amplitudes, frequencies) originating from either the equipment’s moving parts
or from other external sources. Sensor measurements provide users with information
about a combined time signal. The objective is to extract these different harmonic
vibrations from the combined wave. (“Basic Techniques of Vibration Measurement,” 2016,
para. 6)
In accordance also to them, harmonic wave is defined by:
 Phase Angle (Phi)
 Amplitude (A)
 Frequency (f, Hz) (f=1/T)
 T (Time)= Duration for One Wave
`

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Moreover, in reference to Lifetime Reliability website, a simple machine may be
represented as in the diagram below having mass, stiffness and damping.

By using the above model, we can generate the following equation: (Brown, n.d.)
m ẍ + c ẋ+ kx=F (t)
Where:
 m ẍ = Acceleration (Mass-Inertia)
 c ẋ = Velocity (Damping-Velocity)
 kx = Displacement (Stiffness-Displacement)
And now that we know the principles of vibration, we can now go to the basics of vibration
measurement. But before that, let me first enumerate some reasons why we need to study
vibration meaurement.
Rao (2010) noted that the measurement of vibration characteristics of machinery
and structures becomes necessary for the following reasons:
 The increasing demands of higher productivity and economical design lead to higher
operating speeds and efficient use of materials through lightweight structures. To
support this idea, Eshleman (1999) pointed out that the average speed of rotating
machines doubled from 1800 rpm to 3600 rpm during the period between 1940 and
1980.
 The measurement of the natural frequencies of a structure or machine is useful in
selecting the operational speeds of nearby machinery to avoid resonant conditions
that reduce the reliability of the system.
 The theoretically computed vibration characteristics of a machine or structure may
be different from the actual values due to the assumptions made in the analysis.
 The measurement of frequencies of vibration and the forces developed is necessary
in the design and operation of active vibration-isolation systems.
 In many applications, the survivability of a structure or machine in a specified
vibration environment is to be determined.
 Continuous systems are often approximated as multidegree-of-freedom systems for
simplicity.
 The measurement of input and the resulting output vibration characteristics of a
system helps in identifying the system in terms of its mass, stiffness, and damping.
 The information about ground vibrations due to earthquakes, fluctuating wind
velocities on structures, random variation of ocean waves, and road surface
roughness are important in the design of structures, machines, oil platforms, and
vehicle suspension systems

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Now that we know the importance of vibration measurement, let’s now find out about the
Vibration Measurement Scheme.
 Vibration Measurement Scheme, according again to Rao (2010) illustrates the basic
features of a vibration measurement scheme. As shown in the figure below, the
motion (or dynamic force) of the vibrating body is converted into an electrical signal
by the vibration transducer or pickup. See the figure below.

Vibrating Vibrationt Signal Display unit, Data

machine/ ransducer conversion recorder/ analysis
structure /pickup instrument computer

 In the figure above, the motion (or dynamic force) of the vibrating body is converted
into an electrical signal by the vibration transducer or pickup.
We’ve mentioned transducer, what is it’s significanct role to vibration measrement? For us
to fully understand what a transducer is, Electronics Hub (2019) considers first the
following setup of a measuring system. In this block diagram of a simple measuring system,
there are three basic elements:
 Sensor - a device that is used to detect changes in any physical quantity like
Temperature, Speed, Flow, Level, Pressure, etc.
 Signal Conditioning Unit - is used to convert the physical output (or non-electrical
output) of the sensor to an electrical quantity.
Examples:
a. Analog to Digital Converters
b. Amplifiers
c. Filters
d. Rectifiers
e. Modulators
 Data Representing Device - is used to present the measured output to the observer.
Examples:
a. A Scale
b. An LCD Display
c. A Signal Recorder

So, what is a transducer?

 Agarwal (2020) says that a transducer is an electrical device that is used to convert one
form of energy into another form.

One Form of Energy Transducer Another Form of Energy

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 (Government of Canada, 2021)

[Link]

Forms and User Interface

Vibration instruments come in different form factors. As mentioned above, they can be
stationary or portable. Another slightly different option is a handheld device, meaning that the
instrument is actually small enough to operate in one’s hand, as opposed to being a portable
device with wheels or a handle.

Proper mounting of the sensors is very important. The sensor converts the vibrations into an
electrical signal; therefore it must have a clear path of transmission. Sensors are most commonly
attached using a magnet.

The user interface can be as simple as an analog readout or as complex as an actual computer.
Vibration instruments can be operated either manually or via a host computer, can have software
support for computer interfacing, and can even have hard drives, removable media, or
nonvolatile memory options.

Electrical Output
Electrical output options depend on the system being used with the vibration instruments.
Common analog options are voltage, current, or frequency. Digital output choices are the
standard parallel and serial signals. Another option is to use vibration instruments with an output
of a change in state of switches or alarms. Vibration instruments can often output velocity or
displacement values as well as standard vibration readings.

Standards
Vibration measurement instruments must adhere to several standards to ensure proper design and
functionality. For example BS ISO 18431-2 reviews mechanical vibration and shock signal
processing and BS ISO 18431-3 describes the methods of time frequency analysis for vibration
instruments. AGMA 94FTM9 is used for the analytical and experiment vibration analysis of a
damaged gear.

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Vibration measurement instruments and vibration analyzers can accept a number of
different types of transducers, including acceleration, linear velocity, proximity and
displacement, rotary velocity, and temperature.

References:
Rao, S. S. (2010). Mechanical Vibrations (5th ed.). Pearson.

Vibration Measurement Instruments and Vibration Analyzers Selection Guide |

Engineering360. (2021). GlobalSpec. Retrieved from:
[Link]
ation_sensing/vibration_instruments

Basic Techniques of Vibration Measurement and Diagnosis. (2016, October 21). CAS
Dataloggers. Retrieved from: [Link]
techniques-of-vibration-measurement-and-diagnosis/

Brown, P. (n.d.). Fundamentals of Vibration Measurement and Analysis Explained [PDF].

Lifetime Reliability. Retrieved from: [Link]
articles/maintenance-management-and-industrial-asset-maintenance /

Government of Canada, C. (2021, February 02). Vibration - Measurement, Control and

Standards : OSH Answers. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from
[Link]

Electronics Hub. (2019, April 19). Different Types of Transducers | Characteristics,

Classification, Applications. Retrieved from: [Link]
transducers/
Agarwal, T. (2020, December 29). Transducer Types : Characteristics and Their
Applications. ElProCus - Electronic Projects for Engineering Students. Retrieved from:
[Link]

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