Vibration assessment is on the cards

The MicroVibe P is a card-type vibration assessment meter that fits into the CompactFlash card slot in a standard pocket PC.

SKF has launched MicroVibe P, a card-type vibration assessment meter.

Like earlier versions of MicroVibe, MicroVibe P is remarkably cost-effective compared with similar devices on the market as it fits into the CompactFlash card slot in a standard pocket PC.

Indeed this new version is compatible with a wider range of handheld PDAs, including the HP iPAQ h2215 and Toshiba's handheld 800e series.

Offering a great deal of flexibility, it allows users to take vibration readings either as part of a pre-determined route or to spot check machinery and identify problems in situ.

MicroVibe P will complement an existing predictive maintenance programme or can be used as a first step towards starting one.

It works with the most commonly used vibration sensors, accelerometers and dynamic velocity transducers, making a multiparameter approach to analysis possible.

The lightweight, compact device collects and displays the overall vibration readings and automatically provides expert judgment of the measured factors.

An addition to MicroVibe P, that adds tremendous value, is the FFT spectrum analysis - a function that identifies abnormal bearing function.

This is a proven diagnostic method, which is usually only available in higher end condition monitoring hardware and software products.

Other analysis capabilities include time-waveform and overall vibration.

The kit comes with a set of headphones, so technicians can add the element of audio analysis as MicroVibe P provides the visuals on the screen.

All these functions mean that MicroVibe P enables an immediate, accurate and reliable assessment of machine or bearing condition.

For even greater ease of use, users can choose whether measurements should be in imperial or metric units and Data Management Software has been included, so scalar and spectral data can be uploaded to a PC for trending and further analysis.

To interface with a pocket PC (not included), users just have to make sure that the handheld PC has a CompactFlash Type II slot 3.3V with a 400MHz processor or higher and that it has a 64Mbyte RAM or greater.

The frequency ranges for acceleration and velocity are 10 to 15kHz and 10 to 1000Hz, respectively.

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