CAT III – Machinery Vibration Analysis

CAT III – Machinery Vibration Analysis

Vibration Institute


MVA provides in-depth discussions on time waveforms, FFT’s, phase and orbit analysis techniques for the evaluation of industrial machinery. This course is partial preparation for the Vibration Analyst Category III Certification Exam. It includes ten chapters covering:

Principles of Vibration; the physical nature of vibration, vibratory motion, degrees of freedom, measures & magnitudes, relationships of displacement, velocity and acceleration.

Data Acquisition Procedures; accelerometers, velocity sensors, proximity probes, encoders, signal conditioning, triggering and calibration.

Signal Processing; instrumentation, digital signal processing, resolution, dynamic range, demodulation, data displays.

Time Waveform Analysis; signal processing and presentation, phase measurement and analysis, harmonic relationships, and time waveform shape analysis.

Frequency and Phase Analysis; frequency analysis, beats, orders, nonsynchronous frequencies, resonance, sidebands, modulation and spectral shapes.

Orbit Analysis and Shaft Centerline Position; orbital construction, orbital timing, orbital analysis, centerline position, and case histories.

Machine Testing; concepts, mode shapes, shaker excitation, impact testing, damping, amplification and critical speed testing.

Balancing of Rotating Machinery; mass unbalance, force, single plane balancing, critical speeds, trial weights, pitfalls, one shot methodology, and four run method.

Condition Monitoring and Evaluation; machine knowledge, types of monitoring, route based, permanent monitoring, protection, screening and trending.

Machine, Components, and Potential Fault Frequencies; common or shared fault frequencies, fluid film bearings, rotors, rolling element bearings, gearboxes, motors, generators, pumps, fans, compressors, belt and roll frequencies.

There is a twelve-question multiple choice workshop supporting each chapter. The student will be provided 30 minutes for each workshop to test their knowledge and understanding of the material presented for that chapter. The instructor will then review the workshop with the class. The student’s time and understanding of the workshop materials will aid them in their preparation for the certification exam.

Course Materials: All registered attendees in the Machinery Vibrations Analysis course will receive the following printed materials:

  • MVA Training Manual
  • MVA Course PowerPoints
  • MVA Workbook
  • Certificate of Attendance
  • Calculator
  • Ruler, Triangles and Protractor

The MVA course is 5 days in length (40 hours) beginning daily at 8:00 A.M. on Monday – Friday, ending at 5:00 P.M. 

Upcoming Dates and Locations: Click to learn more details and register!

San Antonio, TX: May 15 – 19, 2023

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Natalie Johnson

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