Increasing Data Logging Productivity Using SKF Microlog Analyzer Triaxial Measurements

General

In the normal course of machine health monitoring, predictive maintenance measurement routes generally incorporate orthogonal measurements on each of the shaft bearing blocks. Each of the rectilinear orientations provides some data preference for achieving a complete diagnostic analysis.

For instance, the vertical direction provides insight as to how the shaft is restrained when considering bearing looseness. The horizontal orientation is preferred for bearing fault diagnosis, since the bearing load zone approximates an elliptical sector centered on the vertical axis. The bearing block transfers the vibration energy to the horizontal orientation as a rigid body with higher compliance than either the vertical or axial direction. The signal to noise characteristics in comparison to the axial and vertical direction are better. It is well known that the axial measurements provide some diagnostic clues as to the severity of shaft misalignment.

In contrast, the SKF triax accelerometer / QuickConnect stud system allows for the more rapid roving measurements that are required for normal route data collection by providing a rapid  mounting of the transducer to the test surface, thereby appreciably decreasing the data logging time. The advantage of this combination of triax/stud adapter system is that it not only reduces the data acquisition time, but also assures measurement accuracy and repeatability as compared with a magnetic mount. Furthermore, the stud adapter mount frequency response closely parallels the ideal stud mount.  Additional benefits and further detail on the above are described in this application note.