Vibration Level I
Certification

Note that this certification is based upon the Update seminar Practical Solutions to Machinery and Maintenance Vibration Problems.

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, the successful candidate will be able to describe the key components of accurate, repeatable data collection using appropriate tools and measurement criteria; detect the presence of machinery vibration problems; and identify the probable cause of most common machinery vibration problems. This course and exam meet the requirements of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Vibration Level I Certification.

Format

Course: Four days
Exam: Half day

Summary

Assessment of job-related skills is becoming increasingly important in the workplace as industrial competition drives the need for higher quality and performance. Assessments serve many purposes, both for the worker and for the employer. They are used to document training outcomes, identify future training needs, facilitate effective job placements, and even provide compliance with certain government agency and insurance company requirements.

Assessments are key to the successful implementation of a company-wide Machinery Improvement® Program. They provide baselines of existing skill levels from which targeted training and performance support programs can be designed—for the ultimate attainment of a precision maintenance environment.

This course has been designed to provide the fundamental understanding needed by vibration technicians to effectively collect data, detect problems, and recognize common vibration sources as part of a condition monitoring team. Mastery of this information, as evidenced by a successful examination, qualifies the candidate for Update’s Vibration Level I Certification.

Learn What’s Needed on the Job

When faced with excessive machinery vibration levels or a high incidence of repeated failures, the vibration technician is responsible for the identification of the source of the problem and its severity. With accurate information, decisions can be made to minimize downtime and get the machine back into operation running as smoothly as possible. Rarely is there time to solve complex equations or derive mathematical solutions. The technician must be able to quickly determine: 1) the most likely cause, and 2) how best to correct the problem using fundamental knowledge and skills. That is the emphasis of this course. Subjects are presented in a manner that is easy to understand and are designed to achieve peak overall effectiveness and performance in the field. Practical demonstrations clarify critical concepts and help participants perform effectively on the job.

Understand Vibration Forces

Machines are complex mechanical systems which are subjected to a multitude of forces. By breaking down a vibration signal into its individual components, participants gain the understanding required to identify
and quantitatively describe these various forces. Key aspects of machinery motion are presented to provide a basis for later analysis of machinery frequency, amplitude, and phase data.

Accurately and Consistently Detect Problems

A comprehensive presentation on data acquisition technologies and collection/measurement equipment establishes a sound basis for selecting the tools best suited to particular condition monitoring measurement needs. Device purposes, capabilities, and inherent problems are explained along with data collection parameters—such as measurement types, transducer locations, and vibration acceptance levels—to help ensure accurate and repeatable data is collected for reliable machine condition assessment.

Recognize Common Vibration Sources from Symptoms

A basic overview of vibration diagnostics is presented to show how machine problems are manifested in vibration readings. Basic analysis of the most common vibration sources—unbalance and misalignment—using vibration spectra, amplitude, and phase data, is explained. Participants also learn the progressive symptoms of a typical rolling element bearing failure for early recognition and intervention.

Certification or Assessment

An exam is administered upon completion of the course which assesses vibration skills through a combination of multiple choice questions and practical essays on machine problems. For those not seeking immediate certification, an "Assessment of Knowledge and Skills" based on the exam is available.

This course and exam meet the requirements of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing, Inc., (A.S.N.T.).

Who Should Attend:

Vibration technicians/specialists with a minimum of 6 full months of on-the-job experience in basic vibration data collection. However, even those new to the field will benefit from the material presented and testing can be conducted at a later date after more experience has been gained.

Course Content

Machinery Vibration

Understanding vibration and the importance of measuring and analyzing vibration
Predictive/condition-based versus precision maintenance
Vibration sources: cause and effect

Vibration Motion

Simple vibratory motion: period, frequency, amplitude and waveforms
Determining machinery motion using phase relationships
Vibration force and response, mechanical impedance and resonance

Basics of Machinery Vibration Measurement

How the domains of time and frequency describe vibration motion
When to use displacement, velocity, or acceleration measurement units

Instrument Types and Limitations

Application and use of different measurement instruments
Frequency-based versus overall readings
Instrument selection criteria—cost, application, utility

Vibration Transducers

How accelerometers, velocity transducers and proximity probes work
Transducer applications, advantages, and disadvantages
Selection based on sensitivity, frequency range, signal distortion
How mounting method, power supply, cable and calibration affect data quality

Condition Monitoring of Basic Machines

Typical machinery vibration measurements for common machinery types and components

Vibration Diagnosis

Recognizing possible sources of vibration by frequency ranges diagnosis

Data Collection

Defining effective data collection routes
Following routes: visual inspection, transducer placement and connections, and viewing data
Determining measurement quality and effectiveness
Unloading and reviewing route data

Data Collection Setup

Measurement parameters: type, location, exception criteria, and instrument settings
Selecting frequency ranges for detection, analysis, and overall readings
Converting between acceleration, displacement, and velocity
Understanding linear, logarithmic, and dB amplitude scales

Unbalance

Understanding different types of unbalance
Using spectra to analyze unbalance
Accurate unbalance diagnosis using phase and amplitude

Misalignment

Basic forms of misalignment: parallel, offset, and combination
Distinguishing misalignment from unbalance and other sources
Identifying misalignment vibration symptoms with phase and amplitude

Detection of Rolling Element Bearing Faults

Detecting and analyzing bearing faults in a typical failure progression
High-frequency early warnings of impending failure
Determining bearing condition with velocity spectra

Safety and Health

Safety considerations for data collection
Emergency health interventions