Using vibration measurement and analysis it is possible to determine the presence and the cause of unwanted or excessive vibrations in a installation, plant, or building. Quite often, these vibrations are related to reciprocating or rotating machinery. Sometimes they are related to resonance phenomena or shock loads.

By using vibrations measurement and analysis, a "fingerprint" of the vibration is taken and analysed. The signal is analysed, and the frequency components of the vibration signal are determined.

These frequency components are than linked to their source, for instance the rotating speed of a shaft, the firing order of a Diesel engine, and the plunger frequency of a pump or piston. Once the source of a problem is known, measurements can be taken to change the behaviour, and especially the undesired vibration behaviour, of the installation. For this, Techno Fysica can fall back on its other disciplines, namely vibration calculations and engineering.

Techno Fysica has over 30 years of experience in the field of solving problems related to vibrations in all kinds of machinery or installations. Started as a engine diagnostic service of one of the larger Dutch shipyards, it soon evolved to an independent company, performing services for both marine and industrial companies.

One of the key services is performing vibration measurements and analysis. For this, we use the most advanced techniques, including in-house developed software tools for signal recording and processing. This software is for instance applied when performing a modal analysis, where the input of several simultaneous measurements at various locations are combined to reveal the complex mode shape of deformation due to resonance or forced vibrations.

Practical methods used to measure vibrations are accelerometers, which are the most widely used devices to register vibrations. Other methods are based on laser techniques, displacement gauges or strain gauges. Within Techno Fysica, all methods are used, depending on the problem at hand. Usually, standard measurements taken at various operating conditions suffice to register the problem. Sometimes, the problem occurs randomly, for instance during specific load sharing conditions, unfavourable load conditions, or other. For those problems, we can program our equipment with a trigger function. The installation is than permanent or semi-permanent (until the specific situation responsible for the problem has occurred) monitored, and our equipment starts registering (or gives an alarm, or both) once the set threshold is exceeded.

Typical examples of vibration problems are:

• Torsional vibrations in propulsion installations caused by mismatching of inertias and stiffness of the components used

• Resonances in resiliently mounted installation as a result of wrongly selected spring or rubber elements

• Resonance vibrations of steel structures supporting large installations such as centrifuges, rotating filters, shaker plants and more

• Vibrations of deckhouses, hull, or mast of ships.

Using vibration measurements techniques, most if not all problems related to vibrations can be analysed and solved. The vast experience of Techno Fysica in the filed of vibration measurement and analysis is almost a guarantee that, once the root cause of the problem is determined, a practical solution is found.