FAQ: Machine File Linking And Adjusting

• Display the spectrum item of interest in MicroBase Pro.
• Link the appropriate machine file to the spectrum item.
• Adjust the machine link to reflect the machine's actual speed during spectrum collection.
• Verify the link and adjustment was made correctly.

Note: The last two steps are performed once for each machine train of interest.

1. Display The Spectrum Item Of Interest

• Select the appropriate Tree View or Collections View folder containing the spectrum item of interest. The contents of the selected folder will be displayed in the Selection List.
• Select the spectrum item of interest in the Selection List. The selected spectrum will be displayed at the top of the MicroBase Pro workspace.

• Right Click on the spectrum plot and select Machines - Browse Machine Files from the context menu.
• Click the Drop Down Arrow in the Select Machine Definition portion of the dialog and select the desired Machine File **.
• Click Create Link to link the selected machine file to the currently displayed spectrum item.

** If you do not see an appropriate Machine File listed, click here for information about using MicroBase Professional to download a machine file from DSS.

• Place the spectrum cursor on the peak you have identified (any cursor mode will do).
• Right Click on the spectrum plot and select Machines - Adjust Machine Link from the context menu.
• Select the vibration source which corresponds to the cursor position.
• Select the (x) Use Cursor Position For <item> Speed adjustment mode at the bottom of the dialog.
• Click Adjust.

3b. Adjust Machine Link Using Known Component Speed (CPM or Hz)

To use this adjustment method, you must know the actual speed of at least one component of the machine under test.

• Place the spectrum cursor on the spectrum plot (any location will do).
• Right Click on the spectrum plot and select Machines - Adjust Machine Link from the context menu.
• Select the named vibration source for which you know the actual running speed.
• Select the (x) Enter <item> Speed adjustment mode at the bottom of the dialog.
• Enter the actual component speed in the units displayed at the top of the speed listing (CPM or Hz).
• Click Adjust.

3c. Adjust Machine Link Using Known Train Speed (Percentage)

To use this adjustment method, you must know the speed (in percentage) of the machine train you intend to adjust.

• Place the spectrum cursor on the spectrum plot (any location will do).
• Right Click on the spectrum plot and select Machines - Adjust Machine Link from the context menu.
• Select any component in the machine train for which you know the actual speed (in percentage).
• Select the (x) Enter Train Speed Percentage adjustment mode at the bottom of the dialog.
• Enter the actual machine train speed in percentage.
• Click Adjust.

4. Verify Machine Link And Adjustment

After making the link adjustment, you should verify that it was made correctly. Use the following common sense checks to insure your adjustment reflects the actual machine speed.

• Observe the train speed value shown in the top center of the spectrum plot. For example, if your machine was running approximately 99% when the spectrum was collected, and your train speed indicates 200%, then an error was made in the adjustment. Go back and repeat the adjustment step.
• Observe how the machine identification flag locations agree with the vibration peaks seen in the spectrum plot. If a number of these flags are offset from actual peaks shown in the spectrum, then the adjustment may need to be repeated.
• If you find poor correlation between the machine identification flags and the vibration peaks in the spectrum plot, you may have the wrong machine file linked. Check to make sure you are using an appropriate machine file.

Additional Information

Additional Information on this subject can be found in the following MicroBase Pro Help section(s):

• Help - Using MicroBase Professional - Working With Machine Files

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