Vibration Monitoring during Transportation

Vibration Measurement, Sensor, Accelerometer, Vibration Record

Sensitive rotating equipment in shipping container is planned to transport on trailer, which is equipped with a vibration attenuation support system. It protects the equipment from damage when subjected to repetitive or non-repetitive loads at the container mount interface location during transportation and handling. Cargo container equipped with equipment was prepared and transported to final destination. INERTANCE Inc. performed the shock and vibration recording / monitoring for sensitive rotating equipment during local transportation.

Scope of this monitoring
Vibration Requirement
Monitoring Procedure
Vibration Sensor Installation
Sensor Calibration
Test Transportation
Local Transportation

1. Scope of vibration monitoring

The scope of vibration monitoring during local transportation includes below activities;

Study for vibration monitoring methodology
Preparation for physical materials such as accelerometer, analyzer and auxiliaries
Mobilization for associated engineers
To install the devices and cable wiring on the subject cargo
Real-time monitoring
Vibration recording
Continuous Instruction to driver in order to maintain the stable vibration

2. Vibration Requirements

During transportation, the shock and vibration magnitude on bottom side of container shall be maintained lower than 1.5 G as described.

3. Vibration Monitoring Procedure

Procedure was prepared for vibration recording and monitoring during transportation. This procedure includes the major activities such as sensor installation, calibration, test & local transportation, real-time monitoring & recording of vibration level as shown in below chart.

[ Shock and Vibration Monitoring Procedure ]

4. Vibration Sensor Installation

Cargo equipped with sensitive rotating equipment was lifted and installed by forklift on individual cargo respectively, and below figure shows the truck & trailer, equipment package with shipping box. Cargo container was fixed by chain block after installation.

Two (2) accelerometer sensors were installed on opposite surface of Cargo, and those sensors have a function to measure the real-time vibration amplitude in three (3, X/Y/Z) direction simultaneously. These sensors were fixed by magnetic holder and connected via BNC extension cable to Analyzer. See below sensor location on cargo surface for information.

Analyzer and laptop were set on passenger seat, and experienced engineer controlled these devices for vibration recording. Laptop has equipped with engineering software, and this was used for real-time vibration monitoring during transportation. See below cable wiring diagram for vibration accelerometers.

[ Wiring Diagram for Sensor Installation ]

5. Sensor Calibration

After finishing sensor installation and cable wiring, the local calibration status was checked for two (2) sensor in three (3) directions. The portable vibration excitor for local calibration was used for this activity, and it was confirmed that every check point for each sensor and direction was operated well. See below excitor figure and calibration screen, in which sensor 1 (front) was checked with 1.0 G magnitude at 159.2 Hz.

[ Local Calibration by Vibration Excitor ]

6. Test Transportation

Test transportation was carried out, so that we can understand the actual tendency of vibration magnitude during transportation. The associated engineer sits on passenger seat in order to record and monitoring the vibration level, and this test transportation was dons for about five (5) minutes. During test transportation, the real-time vibration was checked, and it was found the vibration level was measured within criteria, 1.5 G in any location and direction. Below strip charts show the overall vibration trend in three (3) directions during time period.

[ Strip-Chart for Test Vibration Monitoring, Sensor 1 ]

7. Local Transportation

This chapter describes the assessment methodology for vibration monitoring during transportation.

Mobilization for INERTANCE engineers.
One (1) engineer sit on passenger seat to check the real-time vibration status.
If necessary, Engineer shall issue a necessary instruction to Driver to adjust Vehicle’s velocity and driving status carefully.
If the vibration amplitude is close to 1.5G or suddenly increased higher than 1.5 G due to impulsive source, Engineer shall turn-on the emergency light of first cargo immediately. Engineer shall notify those related status to Manager.
Then, Manager shall turn-on the emergency light immediately, so that 2nd driver can understand those status and drive his vehicle carefully.
2nd driver shall turn-on the emergency light immediately, so that 3rd driver can understand those status and drive his vehicle carefully.

See below brief conceptual figure for measurement methodology for vibration monitoring.

During local transportation, the real-time vibration was checked, and it was found the vibration level was measured within criteria, 1.5 G in any location and direction. Below strip charts show the overall vibration trend in three (3) directions during time period.

[ Strip-Chart for Vibration Monitoring, Sensor 2 ]

8. Major Keywords

Shock & Vibration Monitoring
Vibration Measurement
Sensor
Accelerometer
Vibration Record

9. Related Services

INERTANCE has a capability regarding noise and vibration engineering, and our experts are familiar with assessment of Vibration survey and monitoring.

For further information, contact us at (mountain@inertance.com).

INERTANCE’s related services include;