Vibration Based Outlook to Monitor Health Conditions of Dragline Machine in Opencast Coal Mine In India

Abstract

Vibration is a common phenomenon for all rotating machines but when it reaches beyond the limit then becomes vulnerable and poses as matter of concern. This paper focuses on importance of condition monitoring in-terms of vibration analysis for a dragline machine working in an opencast coal mine of one of the major coal producing companies in India. Vibscanner of Pruftechnik is used for gathering vibration related data and plotting its frequency spectrum. The data are analysed to prepare suitable sample size and also for finding the root cause of machine vibration. From the analysis a number of contributing factors e.g. misalignment, unbalance and looseness are observed as the main factors behind extensive machine vibration. The in-depth analysis on the machine shows that, though the highest amplitudes recorded does not depict a concern but fluctuations in frequency observed through the spectrums and variations of temperature in bearing housings poses a serious concern. Here, in this paper an attempt has been made to investigate on the generic causes of vibration behind the potent vibration of components and suitable recommendations are provided to overcome the faults as a preventive measure.