TITLE: Applied vibration Theory: A Guide to Vibration Troubleshooting & Measurement Techniques

This is not an advanced level webinar.  This is a webinar for novice to intermediate level vibration test engineers.

SPEAKER: Mark Holcomb, Dynamic Systems Engineering

Mark Holcomb is currently the owner of Dynamic Systems Engineering, a consulting company focused on engineering and business development.  He studied at the University of Buffalo (MS 1994) and began his professional career at CSA Engineering (now Moog) in Palo Alto, CA. In 1997 Mark started his own consulting company focusing his work at KLA, a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer.  While at KLA, Mark conducted modal testing and servo loop modeling, tuning and testing.  Joining Calera Motion in 2015, his early work focused on writing software for motor analysis and automated testing of motors and mechatronics products.  In 2018 he became Applications Engineering Manager, helping customers solve their motion control needs.  In September 2022, Mark joined Genesis Motion Solutions as Director of Product Management and Application Engineering where he supported a team of product managers and applications engineers, setting product road maps and helping customers and sales with pre and post sales technical support.  In December 2023, Mark returned to work as a motion control consultant, focusing his talents towards helping people solve precision motion challenges, both technically and commercially.

Mark has spent his 30 year career in the motion space, with 20 years actively working as a vibration consultant for a leading semi equipment manufacturer.  He has years of learning what techniques work, and those that do not.  He's had hundreds of conversations about resonances, stiffness, damping, isolation, and control stability.  He is well versed in discussing these topics in a way in which people understand it.

ABSTRACT:  A methodology for vibration troubleshooting will be presented.  The method discusses the differences between resonant vibration and forced response vibration as well as the difference between transient and steady state vibration.  The FFT, Frequency Response Function and Auto Spectrum data will be discussed.  Lastly, Modal testing will be covered, all leading to discussing a good test plan and how to analyze the data you collect to get to root cause.  Examples of test plans and root causes are shared, as well as "Lessons Learned" from years on the job solving vibration problems.