Worn engine mounts may be the cause excessive vibration and misalignment

Poor quality or worn engine mounts may cause excessive vibration and misalignment. Damaged or worn engine mounts should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid misalignments resulting in machinery failure. The force of a high-revving engine can produce a large amount of force and vibration. In severe conditions, such as a dangerous storm, the engine mount, which is essentially rubber bonded to metal, takes considerable abuse over time. It’s important that the engine mount not be too soft or too hard, as choosing an incorrect mount can make your problem worse. In the quest to reduce vibration, the theory of isolation is extremely important to understand, especially when it comes to engine mounts. 

All machines in operation emit vibration of some sort that will vary in intensity or amplitude. To succeed at “isolating” the vibration, you need to assess the installation’s environment, namely, three important factors: 

1 The weight of what is supported 

2 The disturbing frequency of the machine 

3 The rigidity of the machine’s structure 

When seeking to reduce the transmission of vibration, a robust material that, when exposed to a static load, deflects appropriately should be introduced. The material must be so resilient that it returns to its original height after removing the load. 

Rubber in engine mounts is a perfect example. When engine mounts deflect, they establish the natural frequency of the isolation system. When this is a lower frequency than that of the machine’s excitation forces, vibration is absorbed by the rubber in each phase of its cycle. The greater the ratio between the two frequencies, the more efficient the isolation system. Successful isolation systems also aid in noise reduction, as it breaks the flow of vibration going into the structure. 

Vibration analysis uses collected data to break down vibration into individual frequency components. The test data can then be compared to the established control, usually a database. Based on the comparative data, mechanical issues such as old or incorrect engine mounts, bent shafts, engine misfire, and exhaust deficiencies can be detected. 

The benefits of vibration analysis go way beyond forecasting mechanical failures. It provides valuable information backed up by science. By making educated maintenance decisions with sound, scientific backing, objectivity is eliminated, making your approach to your maintenance a targeted one, allowing for efficient and more cost-effective uptime.