01
Map the propulsion and auxiliary system
Define the prime mover, gearbox, shaft line, bearings, propeller-related references and auxiliary rotating equipment.
- Gearbox input and output locations
- Shaft-bearing and foundation points
- Pumps, motors and fans
- Speed and operating condition
02
Select vibration and acoustic channels
Accelerometers, microphones, tachometer and other references are selected from the required bandwidth and measurement objective.
- Structure-borne vibration
- Airborne noise
- Speed or order reference
- Synchronized multi-channel acquisition
03
Separate condition and NVH objectives
Condition monitoring focuses on deterioration and fault evidence. NVH testing focuses on source, path, response and product or vessel behaviour.
- Overall and trend
- FFT and order-related components
- 1/3-octave acoustic view
- Cross-channel comparison
04
Document operating condition
Speed, load, vessel condition, equipment state and sensor locations must be recorded for repeatable comparison.
- Operating speed and load
- Sensor photo and direction
- Test sequence
- Environmental notes
05
Report evidence clearly
Reports should show configuration, plots, observations and limitations without overstating the diagnosis.
- Measurement settings
- Time and frequency plots
- Point nomenclature
- Engineering conclusion and next action