We turn vibration data into decisions. On-site measurement feeds rigorous diagnostics—FFT, envelope, order tracking, ODS/modal—so you can catch faults early, verify fixes, and prove ISO 20816/7919 and relevant API compliance. Led by Chartered engineers (CEng, MIMechE, MIoA) with 29 years’ experience across the UK and Europe.
Service Areas: UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia.
Rising 1×/2× levels, trips near critical speed, hot bearings/seals.
Compliance failures vs ISO 20816/7919 or API acceptance tests.
Premature bearing/gear failures, looseness, rubs, soft foot, misalignment.
Resonance of frames/baseplates/foundations; piping or duct-borne excitation.
Qualification risk for new products or sensitive labs/equipment.
Clear fault diagnosis with plots and signatures (FFT, envelope, time waveform).
Alarm setting and trending against ISO 20816 classes and OEM/API criteria.
Actionable, ranked recommendations with expected risk reduction and impact.
Pre/post validation and a concise report suitable for stakeholders/auditors.
| Fault | Typical Symptoms | Diagnostic Signatures | Typical Remedies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbalance | High 1× at bearings; phase stable with speed | 1× peak, Bode amplitude/phase slope, orbit shape | In-situ balancing (ISO 1940/21940), clean/repair rotor |
| Misalignment | High 1×/2×; coupling/bearing heat; axial vibration | 1×+2× with axial component, waveform distortion | Laser alignment to OEM/API tolerances |
| Bearing defects | Noise/heat; rising high-frequency vibration | Envelope peaks at BPFO/BPFI/BSF, kurtosis increase | Replacement planning; lubrication/fit review |
| Gear mesh & geometry | Mesh tone & harmonics; load-dependent vibration | Mesh freq + sidebands; order tracking; TSA/cepstrum | Geometry review (macro/micro), alignment & correction |
| Structural resonance | Speed or process-dependent amplification | FRFs/ODS/modal peaks; run-up/coast-down amplification | Stiffening/damping/isolation; speed banding |
Many rotating issues are structure-coupled—see Modal Testing and Structural Dynamics.
From acquisition to analysis — accuracy starts with the person who captured the data. We follow a structured yet adaptable approach. Some projects run linearly; others loop back to refine understanding — every stage builds toward one goal: a proven solution.
On-site investigation and discussions to define the challenge and what “good” looks like.
Set success criteria and identify the parameters to measure; loop back if new findings emerge.
Deliberate, disciplined measurement with tri-axial sensors, correct ranges/sampling, RPM/phase reference.
Calibration traceability; the same engineer who measures also analyses for continuity.
Time waveform, FFT, envelope/HFE, order tracking, TSA/cepstrum, coherence, ODS/modal, run-up/coast-down, Bode/Nyquist.
Pinpoint root causes; reconcile models to measured data for evidence-based understanding.
Engineer robust, practical fixes; validate in simulation (incl. Romax Designer for gearboxes/drivetrains) before fabrication.
Keep solutions grounded in measurements and aligned to success criteria.
Implement actions; re-test to prove compliance (ISO 20816/7919, API) and performance in operation.
Provide documentation and ongoing support as needed.
Separates mechanical from electrical/flow components; tracks orders through speed changes.
Early bearing fault detection (BPFO/BPFI/BSF), impact modulation and demod.
Transient/rubs/impacts, crest factor and kurtosis for severity and progress.
Critical speeds, stability margins and resonance identification.
Shaft motion, modal damping and system stability assessment.
Mode shapes and FRFs to target structural fixes and validate designs.
Gear vibration depends strongly on tooth macrogeometry (profile, lead, alignment) and microgeometry (crowning, tip relief, profile corrections). These govern load sharing, transmission error and dynamic forces.
Alignment/lead errors concentrate load at tooth edges, exciting mesh harmonics.
Profile deviations increase transmission error, seen as sidebands around mesh frequency.
Spacing/backlash issues introduce modulation in time waveform and raised broadband levels.
Tip relief reduces entry impact and high-frequency content.
Crowning evens load across face width, mitigating edge contact and sidebands.
Profile corrections lower loaded transmission error for smoother running.
Our Director has first-hand experience using Romax Designer in gearbox and drivetrain design. We model macrogeometry and microgeometry to predict mesh stiffness, transmission error and NVH, then validate against measured spectra.
This dual perspective—advanced modelling plus field measurement—reduces risk, speeds diagnosis and focuses corrective actions before metal is cut.
We baseline each machine and set alarms by class and mounting per ISO 20816/7919, then refine using history and operating context. Trend plots show rate-of-change to prioritise interventions.
| Machine Class (ISO 20816) | Mounting | Acceptance Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I–IV | Rigid / Flexible | Apply A/B/C/D zones; convert units as needed (mm/s RMS). |
| API (610/617/618/619) | Per standard | Use OEM/API test points and limits during FAT/SAT. |
For labs, fabs and microscopy, we assess ambient vibration against VC curves and advise isolation or layout changes. For people exposure/comfort we apply ISO 2631.
See Structural Dynamics and Vibration Isolation.
Baseline and fault spectra, time waveforms, ODS/modal animations, FRFs and acceptance checks.
Ranked recommendations with expected reduction (dB or mm/s), criticality and downtime planning.
Pre/post evidence mapped to ISO 20816/7919 and API/OEM limits—ready for auditors and stakeholders.
Baseline and post-remedy spectra demonstrated compliance with ISO 20816 limits following corrective actions. (Replace with anonymised real case.)
Envelope analysis revealed rising defect frequencies; planned replacement during shutdown prevented unplanned downtime. (Replace with real case.)
Order-tracked TSA confirmed reduction in mesh sidebands after geometry correction. (Replace with real case.)
Machine type, speed(s), mounting, photos, recent spectra if available, and any OEM/API limits. We can capture all data during a site visit.
Yes—single/two-plane in-situ balancing (ISO 1940/21940) and laser alignment to OEM/API tolerances, with before/after plots.
Yes. Our Director has first-hand experience using Romax Designer for gearbox and drivetrain design. We combine modelling with field measurements to address gear mesh vibration at its root cause.
Get a fast, expert diagnosis and a clear plan to restore stability and compliance.