ABSTRACT
In a majority of the rotating machinery, vibration monitoring is preferred. This is due to the fact that every dynamic machine component will manifest itself in the measured vibration response of the machine at its characteristic frequencies. Thus, for fault diagnosis, this provides an important and easy methodology to detect faults in operating machines by signal analysis of the measured vibrations from the machines. Machines consist of rotating shafts supported on bearings, perhaps carrying a gear or a pulley, and connected to another similar machine through a mechanical coupling. The general configuration of a machine in any industry consists of a prime mover, usually an electric motor or sometimes an internal combustion engine, driving a mechanical unit like a fan, blower, pump, compressor, or a gearbox. Such a general configuration is shown in Figure 7.1. In this chapter, we will focus on the basics of vibration monitoring of such generic machines, and then discuss the telltale signs of faults in the vibration spectra.
