What is a Vibration Check-Up?

Just as if you would go to your physician for a yearly check-up, a Vibration Check-Up can be viewed as a physical of your propulsion system.  We will take several vibration measurements; analyze them to ascertain the health of your propulsion system and identify anything that may need attention.  Our equipment can identify problems before they can be felt, this early warning can lead to significant long-term savings.

With your Vibration Check-Up the report and actual measurements are saved onto an archival CD for you to keep.  This information can then be compared with future measurements to identify and quantify changes that may have occurred.

What can be seen?

The vibration sensors we use are very sensitive and the software that we use is so powerful we can distinguish between problems in the outer race, inner race or an actual roller element in a bearing.  On a vessel we can identify: problems with propellers, bent shafts, bad couplings, misalignment and damaged engine mounts. 

We can also identify the source of a vibration: is it the prop, shaft, transmission or something else?  We are always hearing stories of something being fixed and the problem still exists, obviously an indication that the wrong item was fixed.  Through vibration analysis we can help identify what needs attention! 

Why would I do this, how can this information help me?

We can see (measure) problems before you can feel them which can eliminate costly repairs.  We liken this to a yearly physical.  It also establishes a benchmark that can be referenced at a later date, kind of like stepping on a scale.

How do you take the measurements and how large is the equipment that will be used?

Accelerometers (vibration sensors) are used to actually sense the vibrations; these sensors are smaller than your thumb.  The vibration signal from the sensor is fed into a laptop computer, which does the detailed signal processing.  The vibration signal is also saved on to the laptop's hard-drive for later analysis and reporting.

How long will it take?

The actual measurements will only take between 30 to 45 minutes.  The measurements will be taken at six measurement points (inside the hull over the aft struts, over the shaft logs and over the transmissions).  However to take the measurements the vessel must be moving, so the answer to the question "How long will it take" will depend on how long it takes to reach an area that will allow the vessel to operate at its top RPM for ten minutes.  Once the measurements are made the detailed analysis is done off the vessel.  A preliminarily reports is provided immediately post capture of the measurements and you can anticipate a full written report within a week.

When was your last Vibration Check-Up?