First Aid Treatment for Machine Vibration Problems

Excessive vibration in industrial machines often leads to reduced output and eventual loss of overall plant effectiveness. Simple vibration measurement, even with a limited in-house capability, can often significantly enhance machine performance — and reduce the impact of lost production — prior to the engagement of the services of a vibration expert. This is demonstrated via a typical case study, in which only the measured vibration spectrum was used to detect the rotor unbalance resulting from the deposition of scale on the impeller of an induced-draught fan of a critical rotary cement kiln.