Machinery in industrial environments typically generate a lot of noise. Other than being very loud, these noise emissions can sometimes provide clues to the condition of a particular machine. Measuring ultrasonics can be useful in detecting: • Steam and air leaks • Lubrication issues •…
read moreHelical coil springs are used widely in applications such as washing machines, compressors, etc. It is important to know the spring stiffness/spring rate when designing a spring-damper-mass system. Natural frequency of the system is affected by the spring stiffness and mass of the system. Spring…
read moreWear particle analysis refers to the careful inspection of particles that show up in lubricant samples of a machine; it helps determine the state of a machine. Wear particle analysis differs from oil analysis because it determines the condition of the machine components, whereas oil…
read moreRolling element bearings are used in all sorts of rotating applications. Unfortunately, because of poor machine setup and maintenance, fewer than 10% of bearings reach their intended design life; this is because even marginal increases above the maximum allowable load on a bearing can dramatically…
read moreOil and other lubricants are essential components in rotating machinery. They can serve many purposes including: Reducing friction Transferring heat Moving debris and contaminants away Transmitting power Wear protection Preventing corrosion and rusting Separating moving parts Monitoring and maintaining the lubricant can extend the life…
read moreA shaft can be bent during shipping, installation, etc. Bent shaft generates high vibration and creates a lot of stress on other components during operation. If there is no action taken, catastrophic failure will result. It is therefore important to be able to recognize such…
read moreVibration in machines is affected by their orientation and the way they are suspended. A vertical pump will vibrate differently than a horizontal pump. The horizontal pump’s movement may be restricted in the vertical direction as compared to horizontal. Vibration levels in horizontal and vertical…
read moreJournal bearings are a very simple form of bearings because they contain no rolling elements. The journal is the portion of the shaft that slides over the bearing surface. The advantage with journal bearings is that they are inexpensive, simple and have a high load…
read moreFree vibrations can be defined as oscillations about a system’s equilibrium position that occur in the absence of an external excitation. In physics, perpetual motion is impossible. Dry friction, viscous friction, internal friction of the system, aerodynamic drag, etc eventually dissipate the energy (damping). For…
read moreElectric motors are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in industry; they drive everything, ranging from pumps, and fans, to conveyor belts and compressors. The motors come in various shapes and sizes, but their underlying design is similar. A basic electric motor has a…
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