SPM VibChecker User manual

User Guide
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vibration monitoring
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MAINTENANCE
A PROFITABLE
PART OF YOUR
PRODUCTION

SPM Instrument AB • Box 504 • SE-645 25 Strängnäs • Sweden Technical data are subject to change withput notice.
Tel + 46 152 225 00 • [email protected] • www.spminstrument.com ISO 9001 certified. © Copyright SPM 2019-04 72220 B Rev.0

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Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................. 4
Condition-based maintenance ........................................................................... 4
Instrument overview ............................................................................... 5
Instrument parts................................................................................................. 5
General description ........................................................................................... 5
Displays and icons.............................................................................................. 6
Battery .............................................................................................................. 9
Start up............................................................................................................ 10
Settings ................................................................................................... 11
Default settings................................................................................................ 11
Using external sensors ..................................................................................... 17
Sensors with magnets (option)......................................................................... 17
Bias voltage ..................................................................................................... 18
Vibration severity measurement .......................................................... 19
Vibration parameters ACC, VEL, DISP ............................................................. 19
Built-in sensor with probe................................................................................ 20
Measuring points ............................................................................................. 20
Measurement ................................................................................ 21
Recording readings for follow-up .................................................................... 22
Storing measurement results .......................................................................... 23
Spectrum analysis .......................................................................... 24
Spectrum display ............................................................................................. 24
Zoom ............................................................................................................... 24
RPM, manual input........................................................................................... 25
Adding markers for harmonics......................................................................... 25
Time signal analysis ....................................................................... 26
Time signal display........................................................................................... 26
Zoom ............................................................................................................... 26
ISO 2372 ....................................................................................... 27
Evaluation of machine condition...................................................................... 27
Definition of machine classes according to ISO 2372 ...................................... 28
ISO 10816 ..................................................................................... 29
ISO 10816 Part 2.............................................................................................. 29
ISO 10816 Part 3.............................................................................................. 30
ISO 10816 Part 4.............................................................................................. 31
Technical specifications .................................................................. 32
VibChecker VC200/250.................................................................................... 32
Accessories ...................................................................................................... 32
Maintenance and calibration .......................................................... 33
Maintenance .................................................................................................... 33
Calibration ...................................................................................................... 33
Warranty .......................................................................................................... 33

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Document Outline
This User Guide contains useful information about the VibChecker, beginning with general infor-
mation about instrument parts, user interface, battery and settings.
This document also describes the hands-on use of the instrument, and how to confirm and evalu-
ate measurement results.
References to icons, displays and modes in the instrument are in bold text. References to instru-
ment keys are in capital letters.
Safety notes
• The instrument is intended for professional, industrial process, and edu-
cational use only while taking into consideration the technical specifica-
tions. The accessories may only be used for their respective intended
purpose as defined in this User Guide.
• The instrument must not be used in environments outside of the tem-
perature range specified under “Technical specifications” in this User
Guide, as the battery may be damaged and may cause harm or danger.
• When measuring, ensure that no cables, etc. can be caught in rotating
parts which can cause injury.
• For safety reasons, the measurement device must only be operated and
maintained by properly trained personnel.
• The battery should be charged in a dry office environment with a tem-
perature range within 0 to +45 degrees °C (0 to 113 °F). If the battery
is charged in an environment outside of specified temperatures, it may
be damaged.
• The service and repair of the measurement device may only be performed
by an SPM authorized service technician.
!

4
Introduction
Condition-based maintenance
Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a widely accepted concept in industry. The idea is simple: keep
plant machinery in good working condition by locating and repairing minor faults before they grow
large enough to cause expensive breakdowns and production stops.
The challenge is to assess machine condition and detect a slow deterioration long before a piece of
equipment grinds to a shuddering halt. In the past, a skilled operator could do this largely without the
help of instruments, by listening, touching, and smelling. Modern machinery is often unattended, sound-
proofed, or out of easy reach. It rotates faster and is less massively constructed, which means that even
a minor deterioration of its working condition can have very serious consequences. Therefore, personal
skill and subjective judgment have to be supported by monitoring systems and instrument readings.
Vibration monitoring
Vibration monitoring is a very useful method for overall assessment of machine condition. Changes in
the vibration level always imply changes in the operating condition. Excessive vibration basically has
three potential causes: something is loose, misaligned, or out of balance. These three causes cover
virtually all possible mechanical faults.
Moreover, the assessment of machine vibration has been much simplified by international standards
which define the acceptable vibration level for a given type of machine and recommend monitoring
methods suitable for industrial purposes.
Effective condition-based maintenance requires economical and simple monitoring methods which can
be applied by maintenance personnel without special training. Their primary task is to locate trouble
spots early and direct the efforts of the maintenance crews to the right place at the right time. Fault
analysis and repairs are a secondary step which may require expert knowledge and a different type of
instrumentation.
VibChecker is designed as a maintenance aid. In accordance with the international standards, it measures
vibration severity over the frequency range 10 to 1000 Hz. It allows a practical classification of machine
condition in relative terms: good, acceptable, just tolerable, or bad. Regular measurements will also
show the development trend of the vibration level and thus the urgency of the maintenance problem:
stable condition, slow deterioration or fast deterioration.

5
M
ISO
VIB
Instrument parts
A Measuring probe (VC200)
B Sensor input
C Graphical display with LED backlight
D MEASURE key
E Navigation keys
F BACK key and power on
G Mini-B USB communication output
Instrument overview
A
B
C
F
D
E
G
General description
VibChecker is an instrument for fast and easy measurement of machine condition in preventive mainte-
nance. The instrument and the monitoring techniques are based on the recommendations of ISO2372 and
ISO10816 (Part 2,3,4 >600 RPM) standards for broadband measurement of vibration. These standards
make the assumption that limited information, obtained easily and at a low cost, is often as useful as a
detailed analysis using expensive equipment and elaborate techniques.
VibChecker is battery powered and designed for use in harsh industrial environments. The graphical
display (C) shows the condition readings and − if ISO 10816 or ISO 2872 is activated − provides evalu-
ated machine condition in green-yellow-red.
The instrument has a built-in probe sensor (A). The external sensors with magnets TRM100, TRM120,
and all types of SPM vibration sensor series SLD for permanent installation can also be used, connected
to the sensor input (G). It is push-key controlled and basic measurement setup information is entered
manually. Evaluated measurement results are indicated by green-yellow-red condition indicators and an
FFT spectrum is produced for pattern recognition. Up to ten readings can be saved to memory.

6
Displays and icons
Main display
Sensor settings
Spectrum settings
General settings
Vibration measurement
View stored readings
ISO setup
Navigation keys
Go back one step (from anywhere
in the menu structure)
Measure vibration levels (from
anywhere in the menu structure)
Confirm setting/Save reading

7
General settings
Vibration quantity settings
Factory reset Date and time
Units of measurement About
Display contrast and
screensaver settings

8
Vibration measurement
Spectrum analysis
Save result to
memory
Condition status
ISO settings
Alternative value(s)
Measurement value
View spectrum
and time signal
Measurement
Zoom in
Zoom out
Move
right
Move
left
Spectrum
+
-
Step
right
Step
left
RPM, manual
input Markers 1X-5X