Vibration device purchase

[JeanMicheling]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a vibration analyser an a balancer to run some spindles up. I'd also like to use the vibration analyser for onsite troubleshooting. Can you tell me what would be the best price/performance device to buy? I know that there are some accelorometers that ouput directly a 4-20 mA analogic signal, is there a card that I can hook up to the sensor and then to the computer which will have a fft analyser sofware?

Thanks for your help,

 

[GregLocock]

Hard to say without a lot more details. I suggest you talk to a salesman, they'll be more than happy to make recommendations. Then bring their recommendations back here.

If you can afford it get a 2 channel system, you'll find it is a lot more use for troubleshooting. Down the track you'll also want to reanalyse stuff on your PC so make sure it has some communications option, or else use a laptop as your data acquisition device. You'll also appreciate having a separate channel for the trigger.

I've used various balancing systems over the years, they all work (well, so does a scope and a pencil and paper), and to be honest there isn't much in it for ease of use.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Strong]

Jean,
An accelerometer with 4-20 ma output is not intended for spectrum analysis. Perhaps you are thinking of ICP (constant current powered) accelerometers that provide an acceleration signal (AC voltage typically 100 mv/g) suitable for analysis. There are a lot of analyzer choices ranging in cost and hassle including:
Borrow
Rent
Lease
Buy Used
Buy Cheap
Buy Quality
Buy Components and assemble PC system yourself

Walt
w_f_strong {at} msn [dot] com

 

[alexit]

We have CSI handhelds which I do not recommend. They are clumsy, with confusing interface, require careful handling (especially the 1mm diameter accelerometer cables), and have poor battery life.

The Schenck is much better for us, or get good very fast laptop A/D card and very expensive accelerometers and write own routine...

 

[bklauba]

I have used a VB-1000B for a few years, and still find it a good combo of ease of use, but flexible and comprehensive for my work. This is used as both a balancing tool and in reliability / preventative maintenance. (You can do a dogpile search for VB1000 vibration analyzer and find it on reliabilitydirect's website.)

BK

 

[GregLocock]

Amazing, all these recommendations and you don't even know what he is trying to balance. Turbochargers at 120000 rpm? Steam turbines at 60 rpm? One plane? two plane? multi plane?

Sheesh



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[JeanMicheling]

I have a slow speed application 3600 Rpm. I want to have a static and dynamic balancing with iso standards. The spindle weight about 300 lbs.


I looked for the VB-1000B. It seems that this device only works for balancing. I saw the VB-1000V which is a vibration analyser. Both components would cost 8000$ (VB-1000V) and 5000$ (VB-1000B)for a total of 13000 USD. I find that a little bit too expensive. Are those devices worth their price? I saw the LORD banlance Check from TEVA which is a combo as the Balance pac 1200 from Reliability direct. Did someone already used one of those ?

GregLocock

Now that you have the specs, would you give me some suggestions on what I should buy ?

Thanks everyone for your reply, it's helping a lot.

 

[GregLocock]

That's better

What grade balance are you aiming at? What level of vibration to you currently see?

You should only need to buy one instrument.

The vb1000v is a vibration spectrum analyser that looks as though it is designed for condition monitoring of bearings, it cannot (easily) be used for balancing.

http://commtest.com/index.cfm/vb1000v

Looks like a nice piece of gear, but not, I think, what you want.

The 1000b is a dedicated balancer, this has the positive aspect that it is designed for the purpose, and the negative that it isn't much use for anything else (according to the brochure). However, it can display spectra,that may get you somewhere with your troubleshooting task.

I'd spend a little more and get a general purpose two channel analyser with a balancing program and transfer functions myself. Is that the sort of troubleshooting you were thinking of, or would just spectra do?

I have not used any of the above, I am just going by the brochures. It is along time since I have used any of this gear, so I don't think I should make specific recommendations.






Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[JeanMicheling]

I think you're right Greg. The VB1000V seems to be a good machine but probably too advanced for my needs exept if I'd like to start doing vibration survey. I need to have the fft spectrum, the overall speed value and acceleration value in real time on a spindle mounting room that means that I can have either a handheld device or a PC set-up.

 

[dgallagher]

For a cost effective single channel FFT analyzer - take a look at the PDA based MicroVibe P:

http://www.reliabilitydirect.com/vibrationmeterproducts/microvibe_p.htm

For low cost balancing:

http://www.reliabilitydirect.com/balancingproducts/BAL-BALCALC.htm

For a 4-20mA output vibration sensor that also includes the raw dynamic output for FFT, see the CMCP420VT:

http://www.reliabilitydirect.com/transmitterproducts/cmcp420vt.htm

There are various PC based DAQ cards that may work for you.

http://www.iotech.com

comes to mind.