When motors run consistently for long periods of time, electric motor vibration analysis becomes key to maintaining their health. Often operating parts at impressive speeds, motors move too quickly for us to notice where problems lie. By the time you hear or see an issue that has occurred, the discovery comes much too late before the problem has caused damage. Rather than taking a responsive approach to problems, it pays to have a team of professionals on your side to tackle problems before they arise.
Rocky Mount Electric Motor provides analysis for any operation in need. Whether you suspect your parts are sustaining internal or external wear, vibration analysis helps find where and why the problem is occurring. Our technicians collect data in three key axes—horizontal, vertical, and axial—at each bearing point. This captures micro‑movements that reveal abnormalities. These measurements are then analyzed for anomalies. Frequency analysis, for instance, decomposes vibration signals into their constituent frequencies to isolate issues like imbalance (manifesting at running speed), misalignment, or bearing defects (often showing at multiples of running speed or higher harmonics). Envelope and phase analyses further differentiate bearing faults, mechanical looseness, and resonance conditions. This provides a level of detail simply impossible to determine with the naked eye.
View Vibrations with Motion Amplification
To bring these signals into sharper focus, RMEM leverages motion amplification, a cutting‑edge method that visualizes otherwise invisible movements. Using advanced cameras like the Iris M, the system slows vibrations down to millisecond‑scale, magnifying them frame by frame. What appears as a subtle shimmer to the naked eye becomes a visible ripple across the motor housing. What comes to be known as “simple operating sounds” could actually be rapid, unnatural vibrations in the system. This technique excels at detecting issues too nuanced for conventional accelerometers alone. This includes problems such as slight misalignments, structural resonance, or looseness between components. It also allows technicians to pinpoint failure origins with precision.
Common failure sources identified through this analysis include:
- Imbalance: Rotor asymmetry causes cyclical vibration at operating frequency.
- Misalignment: Shaft misalignment introduces vibration at offset and harmonic frequencies.
- Worn or damaged bearings: High-frequency spikes detectable through envelope analysis.
- Looseness: Structural components clattering or shifting, detectable through phase and broadband vibration.
- Resonance: Mechanical resonance amplifies vibration at natural frequencies.
- Electrical anomalies: Including electromagnetic forces at twice line frequency.
- Structural faults: Cracks, loosened fasteners, or fatigued brackets—all revealed under motion amplification
Prediction through Electric Motor Vibration Analysis
By weaving together these diagnostic techniques, RMEM helps manufacturers transition from emergency repairs to a strategic predictive maintenance plan. By establishing baseline vibration and motion signatures for each motor, technicians continuously monitor deviations over time. This tracks trends like gradually increasing imbalance or bearing degradation. This also allows interventions to be planned during downtime windows. Using predictive maintenance, we help you avoid unscheduled stoppages, minimize repair costs, and maximize motor lifespan.
Electric Motor Vibration Analysis Experts
When looking for vibration problems with your motor, it pays to trust the electric motor vibration analysis team at Rocky Mount Electric Motor. With our years of experience working with motors of various kinds, we have both the history and technology to best assist you. Always focused on finding the right solution for your motors, we carefully analyze data to forge the best outcome. Rather than try and assess growing problems from vibration yourself, trust in us to pinpoint the problem for simpler solutions.
Whatever problem you think your motor might face, our electric motor vibration analysis helps you stay ahead of any breakdown. Give Rocky Mount Electric Motor a call to schedule a consultation about your motor today!