A Novel RF-assisted-Strobe System for Unobtrusive Vibration Detection of Machine Parts

TL;DR

This paper introduces a non-contact, RF-assisted strobe system that combines microwave radar, camera, and optical strobe to measure machine vibrations accurately and unobtrusively, providing both vibrational parameters and spatial source information.

Contribution

It presents a novel multi-sensor system that enhances vibration measurement accuracy and spatial localization for machine parts without contact, improving on existing technologies.

Findings

Capable of measuring vibrational frequency and RPM.

Provides spatial localization of vibrational sources.

Detects wobbling motion of rotating shafts.

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel non-contact vibration measurement system that is competent in estimating linear and/or rotational motions of machine parts. The technique combines microwave radar, standard camera, and optical strobe to capture vibrational or rotational motions in a relatively fast and affordable manner when compared to the current technologies. In particular, the proposed technique is capable of not only measuring common vibrational parameters (e.g. frequency, motor rpm, etc.) but also provides spatial information of the vibrational sources so that the origin of each vibrational point can be identified accurately. Furthermore, it can also capture the wobbling motion of the rotating shafts. Thus, the proposed method can find immense applications in preventive maintenance across various industries where heavy machinery needs to be monitored unobtrusively or there is a requirement for non-contact multi-point vibration measurement for any machine inspection applications.