Acoustic Emission and Vibration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Acoustic Emission and Vibration - Essay Example The process of early detection has proved to be a very crucial factor in condition monitoring as well as serving as a basic extended CBM component (Zamada and Masuda, 1999, p. 160). Though the two sensors are effectively applied in this process, there exist several differences in their applications as well as a number of advantages and disadvantages over each other. The acoustic emission normally abbreviated as AE refers to sound waves that are normally produced in the event that a material is subjected to stress due to internal changes and external forces. A good example of this phenomenon is the mechanical loading which generates elastic wave’s sources (Lokajicek and Sikula, 1996, p. 312). Over the years, acoustic emission has steadily replaced the use of vibration techniques that were used traditionally. This transformation is closely associated with the better working conditions witnessed while working with acoustic emission. Vibration sensing has been associated with a nu mber of mechanical conditions such as processes that result in energy loses like friction and impacts, machinery deteriorates, and frequencies that come in a broad range. Acoustic emission on the other hand makes use of much higher frequencies when it comes to vibration movements that are synchronous. By using such frequencies, this technique makes it possible to detect signal parts experiencing high signals and also allows the detections of miniscule activities that come in large amounts like brief impacts, slight rubs or crushing of single lubricant particles. This means that acoustic emission technique is in apposition to detect failures that are impending before they take place and goes further to monitor their progress afterwards (Mori, Saruhashi and Mogi, 1994, p. 375). Though vibration analysis has been in operation for many years, it is associated with a number of disadvantages including its knowledge levels that are unsustainable and its requirements being costly while tryi ng to achieve a good diagnosis. The above setbacks make vibration analysis valuable but overly complicated compared to acoustic emission. Acoustic emission offers detecting warnings early enough on small defects and wear while vibration sensing has to wait until a defect occurs before it detects it. Acoustic emission technique also picks up more information as compared to vibration sensing. Some of the additional information picked up by acoustic emission include; friction, lubrication and cracking. Vibration sensing is in no position to pick up such information. Despite this realization, it is evident that the total information that can be picked by acoustic emission is limited as compared to that obtained by vibration analysis (Mori and Obata, 1998, p. 340). The Differences between Acoustic Emission Sensor and Vibration Sensor The acoustic emission signal processing is complicated in such a way that it cannot be conducted by every individual due to its high frequency signal. It ca lls for expertise in the interpretation of the oscilloscope’s squiggly lines. This technique allows machines to be run continuously, slowly, for a duration that is short and to be operated intermittently. Acoustic emission also permits for problem diagnosis on machines to be carried out in its early stages, gives room for maintenance procedures and allows for the monitoring of the improvement. By allowing such procedures and process, the technique provides early information that is real time on faults applicability and sensitivity to a broad speed rotational (Simpson, 1991). Contrary to vibration sensing, acoustic emission