Continuous machine monitoring

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April 2008 Sensors & Transducers

The Efector Octavis vibration monitor from ifm electronic, detects rolling element bearing failures and shaft unbalance conditions in four locations simultaneously. The bearing monitor is now available as a master control unit, bringing down the cost of preventative maintenance.

Rolling element bearings are one of the most commonly occurring components on the shop floor. As both a load-bearing and moving component, their condition determines the efficiency of the machines, yet monitoring their condition continuously has proved costly until now. Affordable sensors mean vibration monitoring is not restricted to only the most critical bearings, and eliminates the need for extensive training in vibration frequency analysis.

Efector Octavis detects rolling element bearing failures and shaft imbalances on critical equipment such as pumps, motors, mixers, compressors, fans and spindles. The unit is permanently mounted on plant equipment to continuously monitor a machine’s operating condition through vibration analysis. Vibration signatures are analysed and used to predict future failures. Alarm conditions are generated prior to failure, thus optimising machine availability and plant uptime.

Vibration monitoring has become more affordable

The monitor incorporates an accelerometer, analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, digital signal processor (DSP) and diagnostic electronics in 40 x 40 mm housing. These components provide the platform for gathering, processing and interpreting vibration data.

Configuration software is used to set-up application parameters such as bearing types, shaft speed and output conditions via an RS232 interface. These parameters allow the system to monitor only critical damage frequencies in the vibration spectrum and ignore all external noise. Up to five different rolling elements on a machine and 20 individual frequencies can be monitored from a single unit.

Functionality includes a teach button and an integrated alarm display. The alarm display provides two switching outputs that indicate early warning and critical alarms. The vibration pickups, which can be up to 30 m from the central diagnostic, are housed in stainless steel with an IP69K rating for industrial environments.

For more information contact Celia de Beer, ifm electronic SA, +27 (0)12 345 4449, www.ifm.com

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