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A New Generation of Condition Monitoring And Diagnostic Systems

A New Generation of Condition Monitoring And Diagnostic Systems

Alexei Barkov and Anton Azovtsev
Abstract
Continuous monitoring of the processes in the operating machinery has always been considered as one of the most efficient
methods for machine condition assessment. Recently, a major step forward in the development of microprocessor and signal
analysis technology has occurred that allows the development of powerful, efficient, and, at the same time relatively inexpensive systems for continuous condition monitoring of different machine parameters. These systems have become widely
used in many enterprises and now, the market-place shows continuously growing demand for such systems. Older systems
have only been able to detect changes in vibration levels and patterns but not the reasons for the changes. Until now, this
problem has been solved by the efforts of a limited number of very qualified experts in condition diagnostics and this fact has
resulted in limited distribution of the technology in the industry. This situation has begun changing recently as a result of major
steps forward in the development of condition diagnostics methods for machinery which include significant increases in the
ability to define defects that can be detected in the incipient stage of their development as well as automation of the condition
diagnostics process. As a result, the experts productivity has been significantly increased and, in many standard situations,
the experts have been replaced by specialized diagnostics software programs
A new generation of such systems is described below. Such a system for rotating machinery condition monitoring and
diagnostics using vibration analysis combines all the modern condition monitoring and diagnostic methods and the latest
developments of microprocessor and computer techniques. This generation of the systems may be recognized by the
automatic condition diagnostics of particular machine units allowing reliable operation of the machine, not by continuous
condition monitoring, but by intermittent monitoring with intervals between measurements up to weeks or even months. The
main emphasis is applied to portable, off-line systems that allow condition monitoring of hundreds of machines, thus
decreasing the expense on condition monitoring and diagnostics by orders of magnitude.
Monitoring and Diagnostics Tasks
The main task of the machine vibration monitoring system was previously the monitoring of the vibration parameters chosen
either by the machinery designers or users with the purpose of detecting changes in machine operating conditions. The new
systems, despite that they are usually referred to as condition monitoring systems, can have new tasks including machine
vibration monitoring and intervention in the operation of the machinery. Vibration monitoring, in turn, may include the
comparison of the machine vibration parameters with the parameters of a group of other identical machines, i.e. monitoring by
a set.
The tasks that had been stated for the new generation of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems can be divided into
three main groups:
The first group includes the traditional tasks for vibration state development monitoring and prediction for machines or
their units operating in standard conditions. This is usually done using permanent measurement systems installed in the
most important machines and equipment. The standard modes not necessarily are limited to stable conditions, but may
include startup and transition modes as well.
The second group is the tasks connected with the comparison analysis for a group of identical objects. These can be,
not only the machines, but also their units as well as the equipment that is not a source of relevant vibration. In the latter
case, the vibration can be excited by external sources of vibration including, for example, shocks. Typically, these are
the tasks of final tests of manufactured or repaired products and is usually done by condition monitoring systems
installed in the test stands which is why they are referred to as the test stand condition monitoring systems.
The third group of tasks is defined by the abilities of condition diagnostics. This is the monitoring of detected defects
development starting from their incipient stage when the traditional condition monitoring systems do not identify the
vibration changes as a machine defect. Typically, these defects occur either immediately after machine manufacturing
(installation) or during the first half of service life during the initial stage of particular machine unit wear. This type of
machine condition monitoring provides long term condition prediction for the non-failure machine operation period and
residual service life after development of severe defects.
For several years, vibroacoustical machine condition diagnostics developed in two directions - as a part of condition
monitoring and as a standalone direction aimed at the detection and identification of defects.
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Today, the detailed condition diagnostics methods allow detection of most incipient defects before the vibration state of
machine changes. This fact inspired the development of a new generation of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems. As
a result, the tasks of such systems undertook considerable changes. In particular, primary attention was focused on the each
machine unit condition assessment and the integral estimation of the condition of the machine as a whole was based on the
conditions of all the machine units. More attention was paid to the high frequency vibration component measurements and,
consequently, the acceleration signals rather than velocity or displacement.
The main tasks for condition diagnostics, both functionally without any changes in machine operation mode and in testing
under the influence of external controlled vibration exciters, also can be divided into three main groups. This division is based
on the method used for determining diagnostics standards. These standards are used for defect detection, identification, and
development prediction.
The first group uses standards based on a group of consecutive measurements of diagnostic signals for each machine (history
based standard). These methods were traditionally used in condition monitoring systems and the main type of vibration signal
analysis was narrow band spectrum analysis.
The second group of tasks used the standards formed by single vibration measurements conducted on a group of identical
machines units (set based standard). These tasks are typical for the final output control at repair or production shops. A
number of signal analysis techniques can be applied in this connection, but the most powerful method is similar to the previous
case using spectrum analysis of the vibration signal.
The third group contains the tasks with the most complex solutions for development, but are most efficient in practical
diagnostics with prior known standards. Thus condition diagnostics can be done using a single vibration measurement.
Typically, the solution of most complicated problems is based on the analysis of signal modulation processes, for example,
using the spectrum analysis of low frequency oscillations of high frequency signal power, including vibration excited by
periodic shock pulses. In this case the standard of the defect free state is most typically considered the absence of certain
features in the analyzed signal.
The new generation of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems reliably detect, not only potentially dangerous defects of
any of above groups at the initial stage of their development, but also identify the exact defect type and its severity. Only in
this case and, taking into account prior known development rates for each of defect types, is it possible to provide long term
condition prediction and residual service life of the machine or its unit. This task is considered to be the main one for the new
generation of the condition monitoring and diagnostics systems.
Methods of Diagnostics
The increased number of tasks available in the new generation of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems has resulted in
advances in both existing diagnostic technology and the development of new diagnostic and condition monitoring methods.
The main signal analysis method for rotating machinery condition monitoring is still narrow band spectrum analysis of vibration
and noise signals. Among the new technical solutions are automatic spectra processing with the extraction of harmonic
components and detection of their amplitudes and frequencies as well as their possible origin. Such automation allows much
more reliable trending of the signal component development and predicts their changes, especially in cases of fluctuations of
the rotation speed from measurement to measurement.

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Fig.1. Autospectrum with the alarm level. When the spectrum exceeds the alarm level
condition monitoring system issues an alarm signal. Usually the alarm levels are
entered by the operator according to his experience and machinery design
specifications.
Another important point is separation of condition monitoring of a machine as a whole versus its particular units. In the first
case, the measurement points are distant from the primary vibrating units and close to the less noisy ones and condition
monitoring is done mainly by the analysis of low and medium frequency vibration. In the other case, the measurement points
are chosen directly on the monitored unit case and condition monitoring is combined with diagnostics. Here, most attention is
paid to the high frequency vibration.
New methods of comparative vibration signal parameters analysis are developed for the final test control after machine
assembly or repair, i.e. for condition monitoring by a set. The best way to form and adapt a vibration state standard for new
generation condition monitoring and diagnostics systems is to do it jointly with condition diagnostics when only the machines
with no severe defects detected by diagnostic routines are used to form vibration state standards. Condition monitoring by a
set has one more peculiarity. It is possible use of external vibration exciters or shakers, especially in cases when the unit under
control does not generate vibration while the test measurements are being performed.
Principally, a new technical solution in the new generation condition monitoring and diagnostics systems is the monitoring of
machine or machine unit technical condition. To do so using each of vibration measurement, the automatic diagnostic system
makes a condition diagnosis with identification of all possible defects, even in their incipient stage. Next each defect is
monitored during its development. This approach allows the prediction of defect development and the accurate prediction of
residual service life for the machine or its unit.
The condition diagnostics methods used in the first generation condition diagnostics systems were very restricted in their
abilities. So, the software programs were developed as expert systems that helped the operator to manage the results of
measurements made with the purpose of optimization of the further accumulation of data and the choice of the most probable
diagnosis from many suggested by the expert system. The final results, as usual, were uncertain and the diagnosis quality was
defined by the level of operator qualification, the abilities of measurement instrumentation, and the amount of work necessary
to obtain additional information.

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Fig.2. Envelope spectrum of a bearing shield high frequency vibration components. Envelope analysis is
a very informative condition diagnostics tool. If there are no harmonic components in the envelope
spectrum then there are no defects in the machine unit. If there are some harmonics, then their
frequencies say what is the defect type and the amplitude of them above the background level (DL)
reveals the defect severity.
The further development of condition diagnostic systems was happening in two ways. These differed in their options for the
customer to correct and enter new diagnostic symptoms according to his experience and the characteristics of the machines
under diagnostics.
The existing first generation systems are completely open ones, and the customer can enter any parameters and symptoms he
would like to use in diagnostics to detect and identify defects. Typically, the designers limit the customers only in the changes
of the software routines for state recognition, but the knowledge bases can be edited by the customers by entering defect
symptoms and rules for their recognition. Of course, the established standard rules are preloaded in these databases and the
customer initially has to select the ones to be applied for his problems.
This type of systems has its own advantages and disadvantages. Its main advantage is the ability to be adapted to both
diagnostic objects and measurement instrumentation available for the customer. The adaptation can only be done by a highly
qualified expert so that contradictory rules or very high weight coefficients for the rules that give rather high errors are not
entered. The volume of such work is very high and practical use of this system for condition diagnostics may only begin after
several months of system adaptation.
The previous statement reveals the main disadvantages of open systems. Besides the huge amount of work required for the
system adaptation, such a system requires a lot of work to make additional diagnostic measurements not used in condition
monitoring, and then entering them into the main expert database. Such measurements are typically needed to increase the
diagnostics reliability.
The second approach to the condition monitoring and diagnostics systems development is the closed type of diagnostic
structure. In this case, all diagnostic rules are chosen and tested by the developers of the system and the system itself is
optimized for the selected types of measurements. These systems are oriented to the condition diagnostics of standard
machines or their units, e.g. bearings, gears, impellers, etc. Operating such a system does not require any user training in
vibration analysis or condition diagnostics as all the measurements, data transfer and condition diagnostics are automated. The
fact that these systems are specialized for certain diagnostic measurements results in minimum prices and maximum possible
productivity and efficiency of the system.
The weak point of this approach is that, in those rare cases when the system needs adaptation for very specific machines or
their units, the customers must ask the system developers to develop or supply non-standard diagnostic modules. This
situation was observed in cases of machines where it is impossible to attach vibration transducers on the diagnostic unit
housing. In this case, special diagnostic modules are developed. These modules usually use the same measurements to make
condition diagnostics of several machine units installed in one housing. As an example, we can mention a task that we have
done for the development of modules for rolling element bearings condition diagnostics in the aircraft jet engine. The points
needed to make measurements on the bearing housing were not available and the solution was found in the simultaneous
condition diagnostics of the bearings and working wheels of turbines and compressors.
The development of condition diagnostic modules for standard machine units is a rather difficult problem. Despite the use of
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known diagnostic methods, it takes several years to develop a reliable automatic module that usually becomes the proprietary
knowledge of the developers. As a result, the diagnostics efficiency and reliability greatly depend on the choice of the
company that developed the condition diagnostic modules and not the company that produced measurement instrumentation
and diagnostic system.
A short description of physical processes behind the most efficient diagnostic methods for rotating machines is presented
below. These methods are used by the experts of VAST, Inc. (Russia) and Inteltech Enterprises, Inc. (USA) in the
development of diagnostic modules used in the new generation condition monitoring and diagnostics systems.
The condition diagnostics of bearings is done by the analysis of low frequency fluctuations of friction forces and the power of
the high frequency vibration excited by them. To do so, the spectrum of high frequency vibration power oscillations is
measured, i.e. spectrum of high frequency vibration envelope.
Condition diagnosis of geared, chain, worm, and other types of mechanical transmissions is done using the analysis of shock
loads occurring in the gear interaction which are transferred to the bearings of the transmission. The shock loads in the
transmission can be both positive loads that increase the load on the bearings and negative loads that decrease the bearing
load. The changes in loads are also detected by the analysis of vibration envelope spectra measured on the bearings housing.
Condition diagnostics of working wheels rotating in the gas or fluid flow is done by the appearance of an increased turbulence
"cloud" in the flow which can either rotate together with the defective blade or appear periodically in the defect zone on the
stationary inner surface of the machine body. The properties of this turbulence "cloud" can be analyzed by the envelope
spectra of the high frequency noise of the flow or vibration of the machine (pipeline) body excited by the flow.
Defects of electric machines (electromagnetic system of the machine) are found from the appearance of pulsating torque in the
machine. This torque may pulsate at different frequencies and may result in changes of machine vibration patterns at a number
of machine points and directions. For the identification of these torque symptoms, we use autospectra of the machine body
vibration.
Diagnostic modules for other standard rotating machines units are developed on basis of more complicated physical models
that include simultaneous influence of several physical processes. The more detailed information about the physical basis of
the rotating machine vibration diagnostics was published in a number of papers [1,2].
System Configuration
The configuration of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems is defined by the choices of means for measurements and
physical process analysis and by the configuration of the software package. Thus, from the measurement instrumentation the
systems can be divided into three main types - portable, stand and stationary.
The first type uses portable measurement instrumentation for the measurements and analysis of vibration, noise, temperature,
current, etc. The systems of the second type are usually a part of different temporary test stands. As usual, transducers are
temporarily mounted at the measurement points for the time required for measurements and diagnostics. The third type is
stationary condition monitoring and diagnostic systems that operate together with the diagnosed object and continuously
monitor its condition. Transducers are permanently installed in the diagnosed object together with the signal and
communication lines that are connected to the measurement instrumentation, monitoring and diagnostics system.
Some of the systems used for practical diagnostics can have extended capabilities combined from different types of systems.
Thus, it is very often that portable condition monitoring and diagnostics systems are used together with transducers
permanently mounted in inaccessible points with signal lines brought to accessible places. Some times, stationary systems are
equipped with portable measurement instruments to obtain measurements in additional measurement points.
Fig.3. Portable condition
monitoring and diagnostic system
consists of a personal computer
with software for automatic
condition diagnostics and
monitoring and a portable data
collector, for example the DC-11
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(at the picture)

Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of a typical portable condition monitoring and diagnostics system produced in Russia for
several years. Besides vibration transducers, other types of transducers can be used in this system. Such a system can also
include special devices for test diagnostics such as voltage sources for assessing the condition of electrical isolation, exciters
for different assembly diagnostics, and so fourth.

Fig.4. Stand condition

diagnostics and monitoring
system consists of a personal
computer equipped with an
ADC boards and interfacing
circuits to vibration sensors
and photoprobe. Here is an
example of the system based
on portable computer and it
can be taken to the object for
diagnostics. This system has
8-16 channels
Figure 4 presents a stand system for vibration monitoring and condition diagnostics. This system is based on a portable
computer having an analog to digital converter, digital signal processor, and an interface for up to 16 accelerometers and a
tachometer probe.

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Fig.5. Stationary condition diagnostics and monitoring system typically

consists of a personal computer or a diagnostic station connected to signal
commutation and conditioning blocks and then vibration and rotation speed
sensors. The number of channels and measurement points in such a system
may be from a few ones up to several hundreds.
Figure 5 presents a typical configuration of a stationary system that differs from the first stand by the presence of additional
commutation and preliminary signal conditioning blocks.
The software for condition monitoring and diagnostics systems consists of three main modules. The first one is the signal
analysis, the second one is condition monitoring and the third module makes condition diagnostics and prediction. Each of
software modules may have several ranges of complexity that is defined by the tasks of the system.
The lowest level of software complexity is found in systems used for alarm condition monitoring. Their main task is to shut
down the machine (equipment) when the vibration level (power) or the level of some vibration components exceeds the
specified allowed levels. The most difficult part of such a system is the choice of measurement system, taking into account
reasonable pricing and the ability to do continuos vibration monitoring.
Often the condition monitoring systems having vibration state prediction capability possess one of the most complex software
systems for signal analysis and condition monitoring. At the same time, the condition diagnostics modules are at rather low
level in this type of system; typically this is an expert system that helps in the interpretation of monitoring measurement results.
The highest level of condition diagnostics software posses the detailed diagnostics systems that are aimed on the incipient
defects detection and defect development monitoring with machine (machine unit) condition and residual service life
prediction. But most of these systems do not have the most advanced signal analysis and condition monitoring modules as the
tasks for the vibration monitoring are not so complex in these systems and all types of vibration analysis are standard.
Currently, a number of companies are planning to introduce new software for the condition monitoring and diagnostics
systems where all the three modules discussed above are of the highest possible level. Such a system can simultaneously solve
all the problems of condition monitoring, diagnostics and prediction. What is of most importance is that it becomes possible to
monitor, not only the vibration parameter changes, but also particular defect development. We say that this is a technical
condition monitoring, but not just vibration monitoring. A number of problems are solved in these systems by two
simultaneous methods; for example, one diagnosis is made using the automatic closed algorithms built in the system and
another diagnosis is made using the algorithms chosen by the operator according to his knowledge and experience. As an
output, these systems issue two independent recommendations according to the two diagnoses. We think that these types of
software packages are the most promising for condition monitoring and diagnostics systems.
The experience in work with customers
The new generation condition monitoring and diagnostics systems were based on many years experience in the support of the
users of condition monitoring systems in Russia. One problem until recently in most enterprises in Russia is the absence, not
only of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems, but also experts in this field, measurement instrumentation, and means of
physical processes analysis such as for example noise and vibration measurement tools that can be used for condition
diagnostics.
Several attempts to introduce condition diagnostics service in enterprises failed first because the top management did not want
to invest much money in the training of the staff or to purchase expensive equipment without guaranteed system pay back in a
short period of time. To overcome such problems, it was decided to design a condition diagnostics system for a single type of
machine unit, the rolling element bearing. The use of such a system should not require any special training from the operator
and should pay back the expenses on its installation within a half a year. It took two years to develop such a system, but it
was very efficient so we decided to extend the nomenclature of the automatically diagnosed rotating machine units.
After such portable systems started to pay back in three months in very big enterprises, the second stage of condition
monitoring and diagnostics introduction was started. A number of customers asked us to install permanent transducers on the
most important machinery at the points that can not be accessed during machine operation. The cables were brought up the
accessible locations. At the same time in a number of enterprises, special diagnostic teams were organized. These teams had
different measurement and analysis instrumentation and had a number of tasks including condition monitoring of the most
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important machine units where, due to certain circumstances, it was not possible to detect defects in the incipient stage of their
development. Together with these customers, we have developed specifications for a new generation of condition monitoring
and diagnostics systems. These systems combine all the advantages of the stationary continuos monitoring systems and
portable systems for detailed condition diagnostics of rotating machines units.
As the Russian experts did not possess any great experience in vibration monitoring systems, we have joined our efforts with
an American company, Inteltech Enterprises, Inc. This has resulted in, for example, development of a new generation of the
software for condition monitoring and diagnostics software developed jointly by VAST, Inc. (Russia) and Inteltech
Enterprises, Inc. (USA). This software can be used in condition monitoring and diagnostics systems together with
measurement instrumentation produced by a number of different companies.
During beta tests of the system in Russia, the customers suggested the separation of the part of the software that could work
only with portable instruments without the use of on-line measurements. At the same time, the loss of condition diagnostics
and prediction quality and reliability should be minimal.
This work was successfully completed by VAST, Inc. and simultaneously a specialized portable data collector and spectrum
analyzer, the DC-11 (figure 3), was developed. Finally, a portable condition monitoring, diagnostics and prediction system or
rotating machines with additional possibility of field balancing for rotating machines was developed.
One more result of customers experience in work with portable systems in transportation, particularly railways, was the
development of test stand systems for condition monitoring and diagnostics for a set of identical objects (figure 4). Experience
showed that such a condition diagnostics system used for the wheel cartridges using a single vibration measurement on box
bearings, for example, decreases the number of bearings failures by many times. And this is despite the fact that we have
wayside condition monitoring systems based on infra-red emission. Thus, it was acknowledged that the periodic condition
diagnostics of box bearings with time intervals of about three months allows a decrease of bearings failures much below the
previously accepted levels. This system won the competition organized by the federal railway ministry in Russia on the supply
of condition diagnostic systems for Russian railways.
Conclusions
1. The new generation of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems differs by the detailed solution of diagnostic
problems that allows making a step from machine vibration state monitoring to the monitoring of the machine technical
condition.
2. Most rotating machine defects can be detected by such a system much before dangerous situations occur. It allows the
efficient use of, not only stationary on-line continuous monitoring systems, but also portable, off-line systems for
condition monitoring and diagnostics as well.
3. The tendency toward a rapid decrease in the expenses of the condition diagnostics is evident. This allows the
introduction of condition diagnostics, not only for the primary, most important equipment, but also for supplementary
machinery as well and, thus, more wide introduction of preventive condition based maintenance.
References
1. A. V. Barkov, N. A. Barkova, and A. Yu. Azovtsev, "Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics of Rotating Machines
Using Vibration", VAST, Inc., St. Petersburg, Russia, 1997
2. A collection of condition diagnostics papers on the Internet site:
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