Using Modal Analysis to Lengthen Bearing Service Life

It is generally known that 80% of machine problems are attributed to imbalance, misalignment and structural resonance. Both imbalance and misalignment generate forces that result in damaging vibration responses. Structural natural modes are often excited by these forces, causing amplified vibration amplitude levels. Reducing resonance levels requires modal methods that determine what portion of the response is due to the forcing function and how much is due to resonant amplification. The following case study is a practical application of modal analysis procedures to measure the effects of structural natural modes related to the reduction of bearing service life.