Increase Machine Efficiency by Vibration Measurement

I hope you remember your first job interview. They ask, “How you can increase the productivity of this company?” Remember every company/organization/factory is always in search of techniques to increase productivity.

But the immediate question is, what are the ways to increase productivity?

Out of various ways, Let us discuss to increase productivity by Increasing Efficiency of Rotating Machines.

When we talk about engineering things cannot start without reliable data. Reliable measurement of parameters is the first step to get reliable data.

A machine which consumes less energy to deliver higher output is called an efficient machine. But always remember…

1)?????Ideal machine does not exist.

2)?????Efficiency is a comparative term. You can always make the best machine even better.

3)?????Any machine which makes sound and is getting heated is losing energy (unless it is desired by machine)

4)?????In most industries rotating machines are the highest energy consuming machines.

Weather it is heat or sound, both are derivative of machine vibration. So, if we can reduce machine vibration to certain extent, we can actually save substantial amount of energy, rather revenue.

Believe it or not… But it is very simple.

1)?????Always carry a good, simple and reliable portable vibration meter.

2)?????If the machine is a heavy load, critical and high energy consuming machine, install a continuous vibration monitoring system.

3)?????Always use NABL calibrated instruments. Get it calibrated every year.

4)?????Keep note of reading from the vibration meter. Make excel sheet and trend (graph) if possible.

5)?????Always take reading from the same location and same working conditions, like load/no load.

6)?????Try to reduce the vibration reading by checking ...

a.?????coupling alignment

b.?????foot/flange screws

c.?????bearing greasing

d.?????cracks in foundation

e.?????resonance

f.??????structural cracks/looseness/bend

g.?????lubrication oil

h.?????imbalance of fan/impeller

It has been found and proven that reducing vibration of a rotating machine to even a small value eventually increases efficiency of the machine by many fold.

Vibration is a loss, Measure it and Reduce it.