Looseness

Looseness - Not a vibration source but an amplifier. That means that when a component is loose, whatever forces are present will be able to move the affected components much more easily. If there are little or no forces present, however, vibration may only increase a very small amount. To understand this, imagine a perfect machine - no mechnical imperfections to cause any vibration. Now loosen the bolts holding down the feet and . . . nothing happens because there are no forces attempting to lift it off of its base.

Looseness can occur at a number of locations that affect the vibration measurements. They are: Bearing / Shaft (Bearing Looseness) Bearing / Housing (Bearing Looseness) Internal bearing clearances (Bearing Looseness) Adjacent, fastened surfaces (Structural) Areas of the base (Structural) Each, however, gives different likely symptoms.