Machinery Dynamics and Acoustics

What is machinery dynamics?

Operational forces present in manufacturing and processing might create noise and vibration. The root cause commonly lies in the interaction of various parameters. Machines vibrate, for instance, in response to operational factors like unbalance. High amplitudes occur when the excitation's frequency coincides with the structure's natural frequency. That phenomenon is called resonance.

Why is machinery dynamics and its control crucial for your business?

Damage from machinery vibrations might result in repair expenses and lost productivity. If restrictions are not followed, noise levels may become a burden for both workers and the environment. Additional effects of excessive noise on your health go beyond being a nuisance or harmful to your ears. Legal frameworks have become increasingly restrictive as a result.

On the plus side, noise and machinery vibrations can convey information about the state of materials, equipment, buildings, and processes. The basis for process optimisation and predictive maintenance is at your disposal to see if you can carry out a machine vibration analysis and interpret the data appropriately. If this data is interpreted correctly, condition-based maintenance (also known as predictive maintenance) is made possible, which has the potential to significantly boost efficiency.

It's crucial to stay away from any potential risks connected to noise and vibration. Consequences of such include machine breakdowns, which can result in fatal accidents, injuries, productivity losses over a period of weeks or months, decreased product quality, which prevents the product from being sold, and a variety of other things. Noise and vibration levels can be lowered by specifically targeting the causes , the service life of equipment and systems can be increased, and processes and product quality can be improved by recognising the excitation mechanisms.

There are numerous engineering experts who can address the most typical causes of noise and vibration problems, including rotating machinery that is out of balance or misaligned.

However, many of these consultants lack the skills necessary to accurately measure the dynamical problem and analyse the measurement results in more complex situations. In these situations, our professionals assist you by providing pertinent Machinery Dynamics & Acoustics (MDA) services to address the issue.

How can TÜV SÜD support you?

Our testing services in Machinery Dynamics and Acoustics include everything related to noise and vibration. In addition to describing a dynamic or acoustic problem through measurements, we have the claim that we can also determine the cause of the problem by considering all pertinent information. Additionally, we perform root-cause investigations that take into consideration factors that go well beyond just noise and vibration.

Most of our projects involve a methodical approach to be successful and efficient. Most of the time, we run experiments because dynamical problems cannot be accurately simulated. We do field measurements at your machinery and plant on-site. Ideally, if plant operations permit, we do operational deflection shape analysis and experimental modal analysis, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamical issue. To determine the underlying reason, we will examine both the measurement data and the operational data that has been recorded. Based on this, we create countermeasures. Our expertise are primarily centred on rotating machinery (such as turbomachinery), but they also include everything from hearing aids to paper machines.

What services does TÜV SÜD offer?

We provide a range of MDA services, including field measurements and troubleshooting, for everything from hearing aids to paper machines and turbo gear.

Testing is one of the many services we offer, and we test everything from turbomachinery to home appliances and paper machines. To detect all pertinent noise, vibration, and process variables, we have the required sensor technology. We can identify causes thanks to our expertise and resources.

Overall services for Machinery Dynamics and Acoustics
- Troubleshooting in noise and vibration
- Development of condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Acceptance tests
- Field measurements
- Root cause analysis
- Training courses for noise and vibration
Specific services for Machinery dynamics
- Measurement and diagnosis of machinery vibrations
- Experimental modal analysis
- Operational deflection shape analysis
- Vibration testing
- Investigation of flow-induced vibration
- Assessment of kinematic processes
- Model-based simulation of machines and processes
- Signal analysis for testing complex dynamical problems
- Experimental rotor dynamics (balancing, alignment)
- Acceptance measurements and assessment of vibration levels according to common standards
- Development of countermeasures like passive or active dynamic absorbers
Specific services for Acoustics
- Measurements of sound pressure, sound intensity, sound power
- Determination of noise emission according to common standards
- Sound source localisation with a microphone array (acoustical camera)
- Verification of noise abatement and sound insulation
- Simulation of acoustic systems
- Hearing aid device acoustics
- Modeling and characterisation of acoustic properties of components and pipe networks in connection with acoustic testing
- Conceptual design of acoustic test rigs and analysers
- Development of countermeasures e.g. silencers, Helmholtz resonators
Development of customised testing and measurement systems
- Method development
- Hardware
- Software (e.g. Matlab, Labview)
- Reporting
- Blade vibration analyser
- Acoustic testbeds and measurement systems

How do you benefit from our Machinery dynamics services?

To save money and aim to minimise danger, you must act on noise and vibration issues immediately. Resolving these issues will allow you to reduce health risks for your employees and therefore help you to maintain a good reputation. By partnering with TÜV SÜD you can avoid machine breakdowns, which can result in fatal accidents, injuries, production losses over several weeks or months, lowered product quality, inability to sell products in the long term, and many other negative effects. Learning more about your equipment can help you to improve processes and do preventive maintenance, which prevent any functional safety hazards and financial loss, identify design flaws and incorrect assembly as soon as possible.

Why should you choose TÜV SÜD?

TÜV SÜD experts are a fast and efficient taskforce, with the ability to tackle all problems with noise and vibration. In 2021, the MDA team from PROSE AG was migrated to TÜV SÜD, the experts have over 15 years of working experience in this field and have gained vast experience in hundreds of projects across industries like power, oil and gas, process, construction and mobility. Their work is being published on a regular basis at conferences, in papers and the experts are frequent guest lecturers at Universities.

We believe that success is a collaborative effort, and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our esteemed customers. Your trust in our services and the opportunity to work on your interesting projects have been invaluable to us: