Vibralign Blog

condition monitoring| machinery vibration| maintenance reliability| Vibration Analysis

By Chris Troutt on September 13, 2018

Accelerometers by nature are sensitive tools. This sensitivity is heavily influenced by how the sensor is mounted. Standard accelerometers are mounted several ways based on need and application. Typical route-based data collecting will be done with a rare earth magnet. The magnet can be either flat or a two-pole type. This provides good data with […]

condition monitoring| rotating machinery| unbalance

By VibrAlign Author on September 4, 2018

We often hear about how to correct unbalance in rotating machinery, but to correct unbalance, it is first necessary to accurately diagnose what type of unbalance your machine is experiencing so that you can take the proper action to correct the problem. In this post, we will go over the three types of unbalance you […]

condition monitoring| efficiency| predictive maintenance

By VibrAlign Author on September 4, 2018

As the resurgence of manufacturing and processing in America continues, the requirements on all of us to do more with less will only grow more important in order to reach the needed profitability goals. Combine this downward pressure with the diversity of today’s plants and their mechanical components, and the overwhelming gap of skilled workers […]

condition monitoring| RPM| stroboscopes| tachometers

By VibrAlign Author on September 4, 2018

Determining the RPM (revolutions per minute) of your machine is an important part of conscientious condition monitoring. Significant loss of time and productivity can occur if your machinery is not operating at the correct RPM. That’s why it is imperative to be able to quickly and accurately determine the RPM. In this post we will […]

condition monitoring| machinery diagnostics| machinery vibration| ONEPROD| OneProd Eagle| OneProd MVX| SMC| Vibration Analysis| vibration sensor

By Chris Troutt on June 20, 2018

At the wrap up of a recent Hawk/SMC class the discussion was around what rotating assets to collect vibration data on going forward. The conversation quickly turned to a few keys assets that had the ability to impact large percentages of the downstream processes. The area technicians said that even though the machine was very […]

condition monitoring| Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker| machinery diagnostics| machinery vibration| SMC

By James Pekarek on March 13, 2018

When using the Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker (SMC) or any of VibrAlign’s Condition Monitoring Tools, there are typically only two variables you need to know for an accurate diagnosis of your machine.  You need the horsepower of the motor and the correct rotating speed.  This information will usually be stamped on the motor data plate.  […]

"soft foot"| angled soft foot| bearing failures| condition monitoring| Machinery Bases| machinery vibration| Pump Bases

By Tim Sorensen on February 12, 2018

It’s no joke that many machines operate with high levels of vibration due to soft foot.  These same machines often have a decreased life span due to this condition. Soft foot is a condition that should be eliminated during the precision shaft alignment process, if you’re performing proper alignments at all.  This condition can manifest […]

"precision alignment"| aligning machinery| condition monitoring| machinery diagnostics| machinery vibration| ONEPROD Hawk| Precision Shaft Alignment| Vibration Analysis

By Stan Riddle on October 26, 2017

One of the hallmarks of a good maintenance technician is the ability to troubleshoot – not just using vibration tools, or volt meters, or laptops with Ethernet plug-ins, but the ability to troubleshoot machinery in their minds.  In other words, the ability to visualize what the problem might be. “Fix the easy things first” is […]

condition monitoring| equipment reliability| maintenance reliability| reliability| Vibration Analysis

By Chris Troutt on October 18, 2017

A hype man in rap and hip hop supports the primary rappers with exclamations and interjections, and attempts to increase the audience’s excitement. Emmanuel C. M. says, “the hype man is essential to a live performance. He is an integral piece to the whole show.  It’s his job to be the support for the performer, give the performer energy […]

bearing defect detecion| bearing failures| condition monitoring| gear defect detection| gear failures| machinery vibration| Vibration Analysis

By Tim Sorensen on October 12, 2017

Bearing defect factor is a culmination of two technologies used for shock detection.  DEF is designed as an indicator for bearing defect detection, but can also be valuable in the detection of gear defects. Why is DEF significant? In the following data set are displayed Overall Vibration Velocity, Overall Acceleration, and Defect Factor.  The Overall […]

condition monitoring| machinery vibration| maintenance reliability| Vibration Analysis| vibration sensor

By Stan Riddle on September 13, 2017

A vibration sensor (or accelerometer) measures vibration-simple, right?  But how and where you mount the sensor is CRITICAL to getting good information.  Here are some good tips to keep in mind. 1. Mount the sensor as close to the bearing location as you can safely do it. These sensors can measure vibration anywhere on the […]

Alignment tolerances| condition monitoring| Fixturlaser GO Basic| ONEPROD Hawk| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Wills LaCrosse on August 30, 2017

Fire Pumps are a critical safety item in facilities across the world. Their purpose is to make sure a building has enough water pressure in case of a fire emergency. Of course, the hope is that they are never needed but if they are they need to perform reliably. Fire Pumps are typically tested on […]

condition monitoring| Laser Shaft Alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| Vibration Analysis

By Mac MacCormack on August 24, 2017

One of the most enjoyable parts of precision shaft alignment training for me as a trainer, is the field portion. This provides the opportunity to build confidence that what the students learn in the classroom, really works in the field! In a recent Fixturlaser GO Basic class, the decision was made to align two recently […]

condition monitoring| machinery vibration| pump cavitaion| pump vibration| Vibration Analysis

By Stan Riddle on August 2, 2017

Most people who work on, or around pumps are familiar with the term “cavitation”.  It is often used as a catch all phrase for any flow-related vibration on pumps, and is often reported by vibration analysts when: Pump noise level is high, Pump vibration is erratic, with lots of “noise” in the spectrum. But there […]

Balancing| condition monitoring| machinery diagnostics| ONEPROD Hawk| rotor unbalance| unbalance

By Stan Riddle on June 20, 2017

Electric motors are almost always well-balanced when they leave the motor manufacturer.  But occasionally, motor unbalance problems are picked up with vibration monitoring tools, such as the OneProd Hawk. Here are some easy troubleshooting methods to determine the cause of unbalance in the motor. An electric motor’s rotor, like any rotating mass, cannot become out […]