Vibration monitoring doesn’t have to be difficult. See how SICK makes it simple.
Machine vibration is commonly caused by imbalanced, misaligned, loose, or worn-out parts. These vibrations can lead to further damage if left unaddressed. By continuously monitoring key components such as motors, pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, and gearboxes for any increase in vibration levels, potential problems can be detected early.
This proactive approach allows for timely intervention before the issues escalate, preventing additional damage or unexpected shutdowns. Discover how SICK is making vibration monitoring more accessible to industrial automation.
What is vibration monitoring?
Vibration monitoring refers to the process of continuously measuring and analyzing the vibrations generated by conveyor systems and other machines. Vibration sensors are installed on key components of the conveyor system and other machines.
The vibrations generated during operation can be monitored in real-time. Sensors on the machine capture data on the amplitude, frequency, and other characteristics of the vibrations.
Why monitor vibrations?
The main purpose of vibration monitoring is to identify any abnormalities or changes in the vibration patterns that may indicate potential issues or faults. Excessive vibrations can be a sign of misalignment, belt tension problems, worn-out components, uneven loading, or other mechanical problems.
These issues, if left unattended, can lead to breakdowns, unplanned downtime, reduced productivity, and increased maintenance costs.
Top 5 Benefits of Vibration Monitoring
- Prevents costly downtime
- Increase overall safety on machines
- Saves you time and money
- Gain insights on your machines
- Improve machine performance
Solutions for vibration monitoring
SICK offers a few solutions for vibration monitoring, but our newest sensor for condition-based predictive maintenance is the Multi Physics Box (MPB10) Condition Monitoring sensor. It allows for continuous condition-based monitoring of motors, pumps, conveyor systems, or fans.
And, best of all, the MPB10 completes all the statistical data analysis and threshold checks without the need for any other PCs, AI, or analysis – just the sensor.
The MPB10 measures vibrations, shocks, and temperature, providing indications of potential faults and machine failures. If the measured values exceed the individually configurable thresholds, an alert is triggered.
For vibration values, the vibration monitoring thresholds for machines based on ISO 10816-3 can be implemented via a multi-stage alert. Based on the sensor data, faults can be detected early, and maintenance work planned independent of status.
The sensor can be integrated into the machine or system via IO-Link or a simple alarm-based switching signal. The system status can be easily monitored via parameterizable thresholds, thus enabling maintenance work to be planned reliably.
The range of applications for the Multi Physics Box is virtually unlimited. The sensor is well protected by a rugged stainless-steel housing. Even fine dust or water cannot harm the sensor with an enclosure rating of IP67 and IP68.
The sensor delivers consistently reliable data at ambient temperatures between −40 and +80 °C. The Multi Physics Box is suitable for continuous condition-based monitoring in almost any industrial context and acts as a reliable supplier of data even under harsh ambient conditions.
By continuously monitoring the vibrations, maintenance teams can detect developing faults early and take proactive measures to address them promptly.
This can include realigning the system, adjusting belt tensions, greasing bearings, replacing worn-out components, or applying predictive maintenance techniques based on the identified vibration patterns.
Take advantage of vibration monitoring to improve operations
Overall, vibration monitoring allows for proactive maintenance, increased system reliability, improved safety, and cost-effective operations. It is a crucial component of condition-based predictive maintenance solutions. It provides manufacturers and machine users with early fault detection, improved equipment reliability and lifespan, enhanced safety, optimal maintenance planning, and overall cost savings.
