Vibration sensor

What is a vibration sensor?

A vibration sensor is a device that detects mechanical vibrations. It measures the vibration levels in your machine and alerts you to any potential problems, like equipment failure or worn parts that need replacement. Vibration sensors can help improve efficiency and prevent costly downtime (opens in new tab) by detecting these problems before they happen.

How do vibration sensors work?

Vibration sensors are devices that detect vibration, shock, and sound. They can be used in machinery to detect problems before they happen. Vibration sensors work by detecting the motion of a material or object by sensing its frequency. The faster the movement, the higher the frequency detected on a vibration sensor.

In manufacturing, for example, when a machine is vibrating abnormally, it may experience problems with its bearings. The bearings allow flexible movement while also providing stability and support for critical components like gears and motors. If something causes abnormal vibrations in these parts, they can break down over time due to wear and tear.

Why are vibration sensors used?

Vibration sensors are used to:

Determine when potential equipment failure will occur and can help you perform preventative maintenance. For example, if an asset is indicating signs of wear on a part, the vibration sensors will indicate a problem and notify you.
Help you understand why a failure has occurred on an asset (if it has broken down).
Help maintenance teams with their root cause analysis (RCA). By tracking the vibrations of an asset, you can track down the source of any damage.
Give you in-depth insight into your assets when connected to a CMMS that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. For example, it can notify you when you have: Worn out parts, broken parts, and if your machinery is overheating.

Where are vibration sensors used?

Vibration sensors are used primarily in:

Manufacturing
Machine tools
Automobiles and trucks (e.g., as part of the airbag system)
Construction machinery (e.g., skid steer loaders)
Aerospace construction (e.g., airplanes)
Robotics (e.g., humanoid robots like Honda's ASIMO)
Wind turbines

What are the benefits of using vibration sensors?

There are several benefits to using vibration sensors in an industrial environment. Vibration sensors can:

Reduce downtime by identifying problems before they cause serious damage or injury. A vibration sensor can be used as a warning system to indicate when something needs fixing and thus prevent breakdowns from occurring.
Increase efficiency with real-time data from your machines, which means you can make more informed decisions about how best to maximize their performance and minimize waste.
Improve safety by making sure that your staff is aware of potential hazards before they occur, such as equipment malfunctioning unexpectedly due to a lack of maintenance work being performed (for example).
Save money on repairs. Replacing parts earlier will save money on replacement parts, and costs associated with having someone come out on site every time something breaks down unexpectedly.

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