Vibration Testing & Analysis
Rotating Machinery Field Testing & Troubleshooting:
MSI is a world leader in field testing and problem solving for rotating and reciprocating equipment, including pumps, fans, compressors, turbines, expanders, electric motors, and gas and diesel engines. MSI can help you avoid problems using analysis before your equipment is even built or MSI can test and troubleshoot problem equipment after installation. MSI's unique ability to combine analysis with test allows for very quick and accurate resolution of "what if" scenarios by calibrating analytical models with real world test data.
We can perform the following testing on your rotating machinery equipment:
- Experimental Modal Analysis “Bump” Testing
- Predictive Maintenance & Condition Monitoring
- Vibration and Noise, Using Operating Deflection Shapes (ODS)
- Frequency Spectrum Signature Testing
- Cavitation, Pressure Pulsation, and Noise Testing
- Non-contact Measurement Using a Laser Vibrometer
- Electric Current Spectrum Monitoring
- Rotor Torsional Testing
- Torque Telemetry to Determine Shaft Power at Operating Conditions
MSI uses the following sophisticated equipment and software in its experimental and field testing work:
- B&K Pulse Signal Analyzer, including 35 channels of FFT and Digital Recording
- National Instruments 16 bit FFT analyzer, 40 channels
- National Instruments Strain Gage dyn & static analyzer/ recorder: 16 channels
- Data Physics ACE, 4 channels of very light weight FFT analysis/ recording
- Accelerometers, uniaxial & triaxial, 50 channels worth, various types from PCB
- Pressure transducers, piezoelectric high frequency, 10 channels
- Electric current clamp-on C/T’s, 4 channels worth
- Impact hammers, 5 of various sizes
- Piezoelectric shaker, able to provide significant force & stroke to 20 kHz
- Compressor rig/ flow loop, including VFD capability
- Pump rig/ flow loop including VFD and mag drive capability
- 12 channels of high speed telemetry
- Polytech Laser Doppler vibrometry
- Kodak/Redlake 20,000 frames/ sec high speed video camera/ software
Mechanical Solutions, Inc. has developed an experimental modal analysis technique called Time-Averaged Pulse (TAP™) which effectively determines critical speeds of all rotating machinery under operating conditions. Since TAP™ is performed while the equipment is operating, downtime of the pump and nearby equipment is virtually eliminated. This technique is able to identify any problem or potential problem identifiable through shifts in natural frequency or support stiffness. TAP™ is especially useful in multistage high-energy variable speed pumps whose rotordynamic characteristics are speed and load dependent.
The TAP™ technique allows MSI to test your equipment while you stay online! Modal visualization and Structural Dynamic Modification (SDM) software are utilized to determine the best corrective action. MSI couples real world modal test data with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to provide calibrated analytical models which can be used to perform "what if" analyses.