Maintanance Analysis of Rotating and Moving Machines Using 3D Vibration Animation

Nowadays the importance of predictive maintenance and advanced diagnostics of damages, failures, and defective operational states of rotating and moving machines has increased significantly. Applying this type of servicing, not only the costs of the maintenance can be reduced but also the lifespan of machines can be extended and further, possible accidents or even catastrophes can be avoided. Examples can be enumerated from nearly all application areas of engineering, including the continuous and long-term assurance of the collision free movement of robots and the safe operation of aircraft motors. In this paper, a novel preventive maintenance method is presented which is based on 3D vibration diagnostics using motion animation. The suggested technique can be used during normal operation, i.e. does not need extra shut downs or diagnostics’ time. The application of the method can ensure fast and correct state dependent vibration diagnostics and by this the early discovery of mechanical problems caused by imbalance, electrical faults, resonance, etc. It can also contribute to the modeling of real machines and equipment and to the understanding of the motion of vibrating machines and mechanical structures.