Experiment 4.
1 Set up and expectation result
First in the set up, we will follow the way instructed in
PT 500 Machinery Diagnostic System
PT 500.04 Computerised Vibration Analyser
Process to do that:
1 Drive unit
2 Elastic claw coupling
3 Setting ring
4 Bearing block with pendulum bearing
6 Elastic shaft
7 Retainer bearing
8 Threaded holes for displacement sensors
9 Weight
10 Clamping set
11 Reflective mark for reference sensor
12 Reference sensor
13 Acceleration sensor
14 Magnetic clamp with steel plate
Steps:
Step 1: Fit the drive unit (1) Step 2: Connect the drive Step 3: Connect the control
on the clamping plate. unit to the control unit. unit to the power supply.
Step 4: Fit the elastic claw Step 5: Loosely fit a bearing Step 6: Slide the elastic shaft
coupling (2) to the drive unit block (4) with pendulum with retainer bearing (7)
(see PT 500 section 3.6). bearing on the clamping through the bearing on the
plate flush in front of the first bearing block and into
elastic claw coupling. the elastic claw coupling.
Step 7: Slide the setting rings Step 8: Place the retainer Step 9: Fit the weight (9) with
(3) onto the shaft so it can be bearing and shaft on the clamping set (10) onto the
fixed at the first bearing clamping plate. elastic shaft (6).
block later.
Step 10: Support the elastic Step 11: Connect the elastic Step 12: Align and secure the
shaft with the second bearing shaft to the elastic claw drive unit, bearing blocks and
block and loosely fit the coupling (see PT 500 retainer bearing; slide
bearing block on the experiment instructions, components at right angles
clamping plate. section 3.6). to grooves to minimize
misalignment. Align the
retainer bearing centrally to
the shaft.
Step 13: Secure the weight Step 14: Axially secure the Step 15: Screw the
on the elastic shaft. shaft with setting rings to the acceleration sensor (13) onto
first bearing block. the bearing block.
Step 16: Fit the reflective Step 17: Fit the reference Step 18: Connect the
marker (11) for the reference sensor with magnetic clamp reference sensor and
sensor (12) on the shaft or (14) and steel plate on the acceleration sensor to the
weight. clamping plate and roughly measurement amplifier.
align with the reflective
marker.
Step 19: Connect the Step 20: Switch on the PC Step 21: Connect the power
measurement amplifier to and start the pre-installed PT supply for the measurement
the PC via the USB 500.04 software. amplifier. Switch on the
measurement box. measurement amplifier on
the front panel.
Step 22: Align the reference Step 23: Check the switching Step 24: In the software,
sensor with the reflective behavior of the reference open the “Sensor” window.
marker. sensor. The second LED on Select the sensor and check
the reference sensor should the settings: Sensor =
trip only once when scanning Acceleration, Scale = 100
the reflective marker. mV/g, Offset = 0.0, Factor =
1.0.
Step 25: Set gain on Step 26: Check signal Step 27: In the software,
measurement amplifier to strength in the Oscilloscope open the “Tracking Analysis”
10x. window. Choose the largest window. Set: Channel =
gain factor without exceeding Channel 1, Mode = Velocity,
the range (see PT 500.04, Graph Order A = 1, Graph
section 3.3). Order B = 1, Scale = Auto.
Expectation result
The run-down analysis reveals that the critical speed, where the system reaches its
maximum vibration due to resonance, is observed between 2400 and 2500 RPM. This is the
most significant point in the analysis as it marks the transition from stable to unstable
dynamic behavior. Without the influence of the retainer bearing, the natural resonance would
occur slightly earlier, around 2200 RPM, indicating that the bearing slightly shifts the critical
point upward. At this peak, the vibration velocity reaches approximately 10 mm/s, which is
clearly shown by the spike in the lower graph.
Before this peak, the system operates within the subcritical range, from 0 to 2000
RPM, where vibrations remain low and stable. This is due to the damping and guiding effect
of the retainer bearing, which keeps the rotor dynamically stable. As the speed increases into
the critical zone, the system approaches its resonant frequency, leading to a sharp rise in
vibration. At the peak of resonance (around 2500 RPM), the retainer bearing detaches,
allowing the rotor to spin freely and exhibit its natural dynamic behavior.
Beyond this, in the supercritical range (approximately 2600 to 3800 RPM), the
vibration amplitude drops again even though speed increases. This indicates that the system
has passed through resonance and returned to a dynamically stable state. At the moment
captured in the image, the system is rotating at 3770 RPM with a corresponding frequency of
8291.18 Hz, placing it in the supercritical region where operation is smooth and predictable.
These expected values are essential for determining safe operating speeds and avoiding
prolonged exposure to critical resonance.
