Vibration Institute Midwest Regional Chapter Fall Conference

Thursday October 20th and Friday October 21st

We ask that you please register no later than Tuesday October 18th

Location: Kalahari Resort - Sandusky, Ohio

This event will be live/in-person

$475 Member/$575 Non-Member

$375 Speaker/Member

$475 Speaker/Non-Member

Includes Breakfast & Lunch both days, Coffee Breaks & Snacks

Our Program has been expanded to 1.8 CEU/17PDH

Click HERE for Our Room Block to reserve your room.

Rates start at $149/Night

Rates & Room Block CLOSED on SEPTEMBER 26th

Click HERE for things to do at Kalahari!

Click HERE for a Brochure

No refunds given less than 48 hours prior to the event.
For cancelations less than 48 hours, credit will be given toward another paid Vibration Institute event.

 

Our Education Program has been expanded to 1.8 CEU/18 PDH

If your company would like to sponsor one of the listed opportunities below, please call our office at 630-654-2254

 

DAY 1 SCHEDULE:

Registration

6:45 am

 

Breakfast

7 am - 8 am

BREAKFAST SPONSORED BY: CTC

 

SESSION 1

8 – 9:40 am

“Piping Vibration: Case Studies on Fitness-for-Service Assessments and the Future API 579 Part 15" 

Michael F.P. Bifano, Ph.D., P.E.,VCAT-IV, Team Leader - Rotating Equipment, Vibration & Dynamics, and Nathan Libertowski, Engineer - The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.

 

Coffee Break

9:40 – 10 am

COFFEE BREAK SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

 

SESSION 2

10  – 11:45 am

“What is Vibration, How is it Measured & Evaluated, and Why is it Important to the Reliability of Mechanical Equipment”

Robert J. Sayer, PE, Past President of The Vibration Institute, Owner of Applied Structural Dynamics

 

Lunch

Noon – 1:30 pm

Lunch & Vendor Interaction

Lunch Sponsored by: Horner Industrial Group

 

SESSION 3

1:30 – 2:45 pm

“Developing Instincts for Better Data Collection and Analysis”

Shawn Covington, CAT3 Certified Vibration Analyst, Electro-Mechanical Diagnostic Services, Inc.

 

SESSION 4

3:00pm – 4:30 pm

“Introduction to Resonance Detection & Correction”

Robert J. Sayer, PE, Past President of The Vibration Institute, Owner of Applied Structural Dynamics

 

Coffee, Snacks & Networking

4:30pm - 5:15pm

COFFEE BREAK SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

 

DAY 2 SCHEDULE:

Breakfast

7 am - 8 am

BREAKFAST SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

 

SESSION 1

8  – 9:00 am

“Case Histories on Visualizing Motion and Measuring Vibration”

Andrew Dougherty, Director of Market Development, RDI Technologies

 

SESSION 2

9 – 10 am

“Phun with Phascinating Phase: An exploration into the forces present in rotating systems”

Dave McFate, Alta Solutions

 

Coffee Break

10 – 10:30 am

LUNCH SPONSORED BY: Alta Solutions

 

SESSION 3

10:30  – 11:30 am

“Preventing Motor Failures from Induced Electrical Currents”

Brian Stone, Helwig Carbon

 

SESSION 4

11:30 – 12:30 pm

“Back to the Basics, Masses and Springs and What They Teach Us About Vibration”

Austin Creasy, Ph.D., Purdue University

 

Lunch

12:30 – 2:00 pm

Lunch & Vendor Interaction

LUNCH SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

 

SESSION 5

2:00 – 3:00 pm

“Shaft Alignment Best Practices”

Ron Sullivan, Hamar Laser Instruments Inc.

 

SESSION 6

3:00 – 4:30 pm

“Evaluation of Mechanical Systems Using Electrical and Current Signature Analysis”

Howard Penrose, Ph.D., MotorDoc

 

Networking Reception

4:30 – 6:00 pm

NETWORKING RECEPTION SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

 

ABSTRACTS

“Piping Vibration: Case Studies on Fitness-for-Service Assessments and the Future API 579 Part 15" 

Michael J. Bifano, Ph.D., P.E.

Piping vibration failure is a damage mechanism common to upstream, midstream, petrochemical, refining, energy, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing industries. The majority of piping designs are typically governed by thermal code compliance rules in the ASME B31 series, which can focus designers to increase flexibility leading to more vibration prone systems. There is a need to improve design rules and best practices; but there are also problems and inconsistencies when evaluating in-service piping vibration using legacy assessment techniques. API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 (API 579) is becoming the standard for evaluating in-service damage mechanisms in process equipment including tanks, vessels, pipeline, and process piping. The existng API 579 Part 14 Fatigue approach provides multiple options for evaluating fatigue of welds and base metal components. Using the current Part 14, the remaining life of vibrating pipe is solved using brute force cycle-counting methods and fatigue curves mostly intended for use in lower cycle life predictions. Unfortunately, the current Part 14 does not draw on the advantages of the legacy assessment methods such as J.C. Wachel and the Energy Institute, which have been well-proven by experience. However, the legacy approaches can create confusion with their numerous acceptance limits, and unfortunately, these approaches lack a well-documented technical basis. To remedy this, an API 579 Fitness-for-Service task group has formed and drafted a proposed assessment method to specifically evaluate piping vibration fatigue. The Level 1 method consists of a single vibration acceptance curve unique to either mainline or cantilevered branch piping. The more advanced and less conservative Level 2 approach is based on the ASME OM Part 3 Velocity Method and methods popularized by J. C. Wachel’s hand-based calculations with some modifications. These modifications aim to improve and modernize the legacy methods, such as referencing stress concentration factors recently published in ASME B31J. Additionally, allowable dynamic stresses are adopted from BS 7608 constant amplitude fatigue limits designed for weldments. As with any API 579 damage assessment, a Level 3 approach is included with guidance on the use of numerical tools such as dynamic piping stress models or finite element analysis to accurately calculate alternating stresses. This presentation reviews the legacy approaches and summarizes the technical basis for the proposed Level 1, 2, and 3 methods. Case studies are presented to show how the approaches compare to legacy methods as well as how the three tiers of assessment are used to reduce conservatism and improve accuracy.

 

“What is Vibration, How is it Measured & Evaluated, and Why is it Important to the Reliability of Mechanical Equipment”

Robert J. Sayer, PE

Vibration is the response of a structural-mechanical system to dynamic force.  The amount of vibration is dependent upon the magnitude of the dynamic force, stiffness, mass and damping of the responding mechanical system, and the proximity of the frequency of the dynamic force to the natural frequency of the system.  Vibration results in deformation, which results in cyclic stress, which results in fatigue.  Fatigue adversely affects the reliability of equipment and can also result in catastrophic failure.  This presentation will include a detailed discussion of the nature of vibration and fatigue, including a review of vibration testing equipment and severity assessment techniques.

 

“Developing Instincts for Better Data Collection and Analysis

Shawn Covington

We have all seen or purchased those valuable charts and read as many books regarding vibration analysis, but the reality is that when we get into the field the machines do not always read the books. Sometimes the sounds of hooves are actually a herd of Zebras. One of the things it takes to be a better analyst is getting to know the machines you are analyzing. This requires holding lightly everything you think you know and learning to ask better questions. Calling a machine out too early can be just as harmful to your credibility as missing a serious problem. As analyst, we often must make judgment calls; our customers do not just want to know if the machine is bad (they can hear the problem), they want to know "How long it will last". There is no crystal ball for predictive maintenance, so it is up to the vibration analyst to develop good instincts in the field and at the computer to provide quality analysis and reliable feedback to the customers. This presentation will be about lessons learned over the years with many case studies to show how things are not always what they seem and how asking good questions and understanding the history of a machine can save the analyst from looking like a fool. (including examples of having to learn this lesson the hard way).

 

“Case Histories on Visualizing Motion and Measuring Vibration”

Andrew Dougherty

Imagine that you can see it instead of measuring or feeling even the most minuté vibration. It is now possible with Motion Amplification. Motion Amplification is a video-processing product package that detects subtle motion and amplifies that motion to a level visible to the naked eye. Every pixel becomes a displacement sensor creating millions of data points instantly. Outfitting large assets with contact sensors is costly and difficult because of the sheer number of sensors required to measure the entire asset. The way to combat the limitations of traditional vibration technologies is by shifting the sensor from the 1D digital world to the visual spectrum. Videos created through Motion Amplification enhance understanding of the motion's components and interrelationships.  This makes it a great troubleshooting tool, a quick and effective alternative to traditional operating deflection shapes (ODS), and an effective communication tool between technical and non-technical resources. Multiple Case Histories will be highlighted, ranging from a simple case of looseness to complex assets with a small but indiscernible motion that can now be seen. 

 

"Phun with Phascinating Phase: An exploration into the forces present in rotating systems”,

Dave McFate, Alta Solutions

We will investigate circular motion, the forces influencing this motion and the basis of phase.  All analysts appreciate that phase exists in vibration, we see this in the data we collect and we display this data in plots we are familiar with; Bode, Polar, etc.  The 'question' we hope to clarify is why does phase exist in the first place? 

 

“Preventing Motor Failures from Induced Electrical Currents”

Brian Stone

Variable frequency drives (VFD) used on AC and DC motors produce induced electrical currents on the motor shaft that cause electrical arcs on the bearings. The electrical arcs can lead to fluting, pitting, and motor vibration from bearing failure. This presentation will cover new technology, a shaft voltage detection device that can detect these damaging shaft currents before they cause damage to the motor bearings. The presentation will also cover a new shaft voltage testing mobile app that allows predictive/preventative maintenance professionals to store and manage test results.

 

“Back to the Basics, Masses and Springs and What They Teach Us About Vibration”

Austin Creasy, Ph.D.

A mass and a spring are a fundamental unit that allows us to understand a lot about vibrating systems.  A vibrating system contains oscillating force, mass, stiffness, and damping.  A mass and a spring make a system where these four items can be easily manipulated to understand their individual relationship on a vibrating system.  That understanding allows us to develop equations that we can use to model a system and predict how that system will react to changes.  This presentation will discuss the vibration of masses and springs, show how math models are derived, and show how models can be manipulated to understand vibration. 

 

“Shaft Alignment Best Practices”

Ron Sullivan

The benefits of performing precision alignments are not universally known or accepted. If it were, many more companies/operations would have already embraced precision alignment practices. There are several reasons for this lag in adoption of precision alignment practices. One factor is a misunderstanding of what precision alignment is. This Presentation will cover some of the fundamentals of precision alignment and provide valuable resources for future use.

There are also some common pitfalls in implementation, including not understanding how the alignment tools work, lack of training, skipping pre-alignment steps, etc. In order properly apply laser measurement/alignment systems, it is imperative that there is a good understanding of some key alignment fundamentals. Concepts like offset, angularity, resolution and accuracy must be understood in order to select the correct system for a particular application. It is also imperative that an alignment tolerance is established and agreed to before embarking on an alignment task. To perform an alignment task effectively, one must understand the tolerances (goal) and the performance of the instrument being employed (i.e., can it achieve the desired tolerance?).

This presentation will demonstrate that the true accuracy in alignment is achieved only by considering the sum of the instrument, the operator, and the situation at hand; a very accurate instrument in a poorly trained person’s hands will result in an inaccurate measurement. Participants are guaranteed to leave with actionable information that they can put to use in improving their precision aliment practices and programs.

 

“Evaluation of Mechanical Systems Using Electrical and Current Signature Analysis”,

Howard Penrose, Ph.D.

The origins of electrical and current signature analysis from the beginning was to detect electrical and mechanical conditions of motor and generator systems including the gears and bearings in motor operated valves. The purpose was to allow for condition monitoring of equipment in dangerous or unreachable environments such as in nuclear power or deep wells. Originally developed and patented by Oak Ridge National Labs in 1988, most others concentrated on rotor fault detection which not included in those patents. The use of voltage and current signatures has continued and identifies conditions from incoming power to the driven equipment and processes. In this presentation we will include how ESA is used to detect wear and lubrication issues in generator, gearbox, and main bearings of wind turbines for improved O&M strategies, which will carry over to commercial/industrial applications.

 

“Introduction to Resonance Detection & Correction”

Robert J. Sayer, PE

Resonance is a condition where the frequency of a dynamic force coincides with a natural frequency.  Vibration response is amplified at resonance, the amount of which is dependent upon the level of damping available in the responding system.  Since most machines, components thereof, and structures supporting equipment are lightly damped, the amplification factors and resulting stress levels can be significant.  Resonance is a common cause of reduced reliability of mechanical equipment.