CAT III Vibration Analysis (VCAT-III)

As a Category III vibration analyst you are expected to be able to diagnose all of the common faults conditions with rolling element bearing machines; have a good understanding of fault conditions associated with sleeve bearing machines; utilise time waveforms, phase readings and enveloping/PeakVue etc. readings to diagnose faults; and understand all condition monitoring technologies, how and when to apply them, and how to combine technologies to get the best results.

You must also understand machine dynamics (natural frequencies, resonance, etc.); how to perform resonance testing; and how to correct resonance problems. You must also understand balancing, alignment, and isolation. You are also, therefore, required to understand all of the single and cross-channel measurement capabilities of your analyser.

And finally, you are also expected to be able to set up the program, run a successful program, and mentor the junior analysts.

Aim

You will come away from the course with a solid understanding of:

1. How a well designed program, and the reliability centered maintenance approach (with precision balancing, alignment, lubrication and resonance control), will improve the OEE and therefore the bottom line.
2. The condition monitoring technologies: acoustic emission, infrared analysis (thermography), oil analysis, wear particle analysis, motor testing – via supplementary training
3. How to select the correct measurement location and axis, and collect good, repeatable measurements
4. What the Fmax, resolution, averaging and other single-channel and cross-channel analyser settings mean, and how to select the optimum settings for a wide variety of machine types
5. How to analyse vibration spectra, time waveforms, envelope (demodulation), and phase measurements
6. How to diagnose a wide range of fault conditions: unbalance, eccentricity, misalignment, bent shaft, cocked bearing, looseness, rolling element bearings faults, journal bearing faults, gearbox faults, resonance, and other conditions
7. How mass, stiffness and damping affects the natural frequency of a structure
8. How to use phase readings, bump tests, impact tests, negative averaging, peakhold averaging, transient (run up and coast down), ODS, and modal analysis to determine natural frequencies and visualize machine movement
9. How to set alarm limits manually and with statistics
10. How to balance and align a machine, correct a resonance conditions, and employ isolation.

Who should attend?

If you are Category II (or Level II) certified and are ready to take your career and responsibilities to the next step, and you wish to truly master vibration analysis, diagnosis and correction, then this course is idea for you.

You should have over 36 months of experience and a good understanding of fault diagnosis and spectrum analysis. (Note that you require 36 months experience to be certified.)

The RMS / Mobius Institute course and certification program follows the ISO 18436-2:2003 standard and the ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A.

What is unique about this course?

RMS / Mobius make it unique. We use 3D animations, Flash simulations, and numerous software simulators that completely demystify vibration analysis. While vibration training courses have traditionally been very theoretical, difficult to understand, (and boring), you will be captivated by the Mobius Training methods, and you will enjoy our practical approach. You will take away skills that you can immediately apply to your job, and you will truly understand what you are doing. When senior vibration analysts attend our classes they often say “if only I could have learned this way when I got started” – well, now you can!

Addition benefits unique to RMS / Mobius Institute courses

Classroom activities:

• Sitting and watching an instructor can be boring… When the instructor is using modern slides, 3D animations, and incredible simulators, there is no way that you will be bored, however there is nothing like hands-on participation.

Hands-on participation accelerates learning and enjoyment (depends on venue)

• In the RMS courses you can use the simulators, and you can collect readings and study real vibration patterns. There is no doubt that the simulators make it easier to understand the topics we cover – but when you can use them yourself, the learning is further accelerated.

Workbooks provide feedback – do you really understand?

• We also provide quiz questions that help you check if you really did understand the topics, and that you will be able to make the right decisions in the field (and in the exam). Every morning we have a lively discussion as we go through the questions.

Take away more than just knowledge

• We don’t just deliver an excellent course. We provide you with resources that you can use before, during and after the course.

Get started before the course even starts

• Before you even start the course you can visit our Learning Zone Web site to take the self-paced iLearnVibration lessons (and read through the manual). These lessons will help prepare you for the course – you will learn so much more if you go into the course with this knowledge.

Excellent materials that you will treasure forever

• During the course you receive a vibration analysis chart, vibration analysis pocket guide, a vibration reference guide, (a very handy booklet); a mouse pad that is covered with classic spectra representing common fault conditions; access to activity sample questions and answers, and our 400+ page VA Category III manual. This new manual is easy to read, is filled with illustrations, follows the course slides exactly, contains an excellent “Equipment Knowledge” appendix, and can be used as a reference in the future.

Don’t stop learning just because the course ends

• For six months after the course (or longer for a small fee), you can continue to access the iLearnVibration self-paced material on the Web site. If you forget something that you were taught, or you just want a refresher, then just jump on to the site and go through the fully narrated lessons.