Detection of Bearing Damage by Vibration Analysis

The oscillating motion of the system around its equilibrium position is defined as vibration. Vibrations cause negative effects in mechanical systems, which can reach wasted energy loss, noise, material fatigue and complete destruction of the system. Bearings, which are indispensable elements of circularly moving machines, are seen in some situations caused by various reasons such as production errors, lubrication errors, presence of abrasive substances and humid environment. Errors on the raceways or balls of the bearings cause impacts to occur in the contact deformations between the balls and rings while the bearing is running. These deformations cause changes in the compound force produced by the bearing and vibrations. In the experimental study, an experimental device was designed to detect bearing damage by vibration analysis. In the experimental study, vibration data were recorded by rotating the non-defective bearings first. Then, bearings with an internal ring ball rolling path error were rotated and vibration data were recorded. The data obtained with graphs and charts are presented. With this study, it has been confirmed that mechanical failures such as bearing damage, mechanical looseness and imbalance can be detected by performing vibration analysis. It has been found that even in non-defective bearing frequency spectra, small amplitude damage frequencies are observed due to surface roughness. The importance of bearings, which are a very important machine element for circular moving machines, has been understood. Although it is insufficient in complex machines, it has been observed that bearing damage in regularly monitored machines can be easily determined by frequency analysis method. The importance of timely vibration analysis in the early detection of machine failures has been emphasized. It has been observed that damaged bearings produce a buzzing and intense sound during operation.