Modern industrial maintenance requires informed decisions on measures to optimize equipment and component performance. Timely failure prediction and detection is key to cutting operating costs. Machine breakdowns are frequently caused by bearing damage. Unplanned downtime, as well as unnecessary repair work, can be significantly reduced by periodically checking bearing condition.
 Steps to Checking Bearings1. Set up the machine´s properties
For a reading of bearing condition with Bearing Checker, you need the initial value, dBi (decibel initial). The dBi is a value empirically obtained by measuring the shock pulses from a large number of new, perfect ball and roller bearings. It constitutes the starting point of the condition scale for a particular bearing.
If you do not know the bearing´s dBi, Bearing Checker will calculate and display the dBi given the rotational speed (rpm) and the shaft diameter. Neglecting to enter this information will produce incorrect measurement results.
2. Measure on an appropriate measuring point
The signal path between bearing and measuring point shall be as short and straight as possible. The signal path must contain only one mechanical interface: that between bearing and bearing housing. The measuring point shall be located in the load zone of the bearing.
 3. Evaluate the measuring result
There are only two situations where an evaluation is necessary: after initial readings when you first start with bearing monitoring, and when you notice a change in the readings (or get high readings from the start). Always remember that some machines can contain many types of shock pulse sources other than the bearing, and there can be a number of different causes for bad bearing condition other than damage. Evaluation requires only normal care and common sense. Use the probe transducer and the headphone, and also use your senses: look, touch, listen. By being thorough you can avoid raising false alarms or missing damaged bearings. |
