An Introduction to Machinery Monitoring
Robert X. Perez · 2023
The aim of employing predictive maintenance technologies in process facilities is to assess the condition of equipment by performing periodic inspections such as vibration analysis, temperature monitoring, oil analysis, ultrasonic analysis, etc. or by using permanently installed equipment, such as vibration or temperature sensors. Mechanical vibration in rotating machinery is simply 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 mechanical systems. Machinery vibration as a repetitive movement around a point of equilibrium characterized by its variation in amplitude and frequency. To ensure reliable machinery monitoring systems, they must be regularly calibrated and maintained to ensure all monitoring points are working properly. Most distributed control systems also have storage capabilities that provide a means of trending and comparing the present status with the past, which is a must in critical machinery applications.