Shaft vibration & axial shaft position

Understand what's really happening in the bearing

Non-contact displacement measurement using eddy current sensors makes the movement and position of the shaft directly visible during operation.
Not only vibrations are detected – but the actual behavior of the rotor in the bearing.

More than just vibration: The key measured variables at a glance

Radial shaft vibration
Dynamic movement of the shaft in the bearing

Axial shaft position
Axial position of the rotor

Mean radial shaft position (GAP)
Position of the shaft within the bearing clearance

Vibration amplitude & phase angle
Analysis of vibration behavior

Shaft runout during slow roll
Detection of deformations before startup

Keyphasor signal
Reference for speed and phase

Spot early what others see late

These measured variables allow for reliable identification of typical fault patterns:

• Imbalance
• Misalignment
• Bearing wear
• Oil instabilities (Whirl / Whip)
• Friction / Rubbing
• Shaft cracks

Many critical conditions first manifest through shaft position – not through vibration amplitude.

Standard in engineering – crucial for interpretation

Non-contact displacement measurement is established in turbines, compressors, generators, pumps, and centrifuges.

However, the quality of the assessment does not depend on the sensor alone, but on:

• proper sensor placement
• correct combination of measured variables
• sound interpretation

This is precisely where most misinterpretations occur in practice – and this is where the greatest leverage lies.