Sensor-Based Natural Frequency Testing

Everything that exists has a natural frequency; this material characteristic is something that must be known and fully understood. If we fail to predict, measure, and address potential natural frequency concerns, it could significantly reduce the life span of our equipment or cause it to fail immediately when put into service. There are a few methodologies used to study natural frequencies, one being computer simulations and the other being physical tests done on the equipment. In this paper, we will focus on testing natural frequencies and discuss how we measure our excitation, our form of excitation, the type of data we are able to export, as well as what we are able to do with that data. These principles can be applied to any type of machinery or object where vibration could be of concern. For our purposes, we will primarily focus on rotating machinery, such as generators, gearboxes, and motors.