Monitoring applications
See how vibration, motor current and temperature measurements inform maintenance decisions in working installations.
Industrial monitoring in practice
These cases show observations from particular installations. Sensor choice and interpretation depend on your machine and operating conditions.
Paper manufacturing
Rising temperature. Stable velocity RMS.
A bearing on a free-running cylinder was assessed using a vibration spectrum, temperature history and velocity RMS trends.
The sampling frequency was lowered and the sample count increased to capture a five-second recording. The team assessed its spectrum alongside the temperature and velocity trends.
In this specific case, bearing temperature increased while velocity RMS remained stable. The team used the combined evidence to schedule work for the next planned maintenance stop.
Read the measurements and assessment
A spectrum read alongside a month of trends
The case assessment identified the broad “haystack” and broadband noise as consistent with stages seven or eight in the bearing-damage illustration below. Bearing temperature had risen over the preceding month, while velocity RMS stayed stable on all three axes. These observations informed the decision to wait until the next planned maintenance stop.
Waste recycling
Follow developing changes at the bearing
Wireless triaxial vibration sensors on equipment bearings, alongside current signature analysis of electric motors.
Battery-powered sensors were mounted on bearings using magnetic bases. Measurements were collected locally; an upward anomaly trend prompted closer attention to the asset.
The detailed study follows the setup and observations through three parts.
Airport baggage handling
Different drives. Different measurement tasks.
Vibration monitoring of baggage conveyors and early baggage storage lift motors, with combined vibration and current signature analysis for backbone drives and sorters.
The published application covers Baggage Handling Systems (BHS), Early Baggage Storage (EBS), backbone drives and sorters. Combined vibration and current analysis helps investigate both mechanical and electrical behaviour.
Explore the three airport measurement tasks
Baggage Handling Systems (BHS)
The June 2025 case describes a conveyor vibration-monitoring installation operating since 2019. The measurements follow mechanical changes in the fast-moving conveyors shown above.
Early Baggage Storage (EBS)
Vibration measurements follow the lift motors in baggage storage. The installation shown uses condition monitoring on variable-speed motor and gearbox systems.
Backbone drives and sorters
Combined vibration and current-signature analysis provides mechanical and electrical observations for the backbone drive systems. The original case figure shows sensor installations, current waveforms and spectra, vibration measurements and an anomaly trend.
Choose measurements around the task
Condition monitoring
Follow machinery health through measurements such as vibration, temperature and motor current. Detailed measurements help reveal changes that deserve investigation.
Asset monitoring
Track operating conditions, usage and environmental measurements over time. The emphasis is on understanding how assets and facilities are being used.
Measure the relevant signals
Choose vibration and motor current for rotating machinery, or temperature, humidity and energy for operating conditions.
Collect and process locally
Bring compatible sensors and existing equipment into the M4. Keep measurements available to dashboards and connected systems.
Review changes in context
Read trends alongside waveforms and spectra. Compare changes with the equipment’s operating conditions.
Recording rates and reporting intervals
A vibration measurement records many samples over a short period so that you can inspect the waveform and its frequency content. The sampling rate within that recording is separate from the interval between recordings. Choose both around the machine's operating cycle and the changes you need to detect.
Temperature, humidity and energy monitoring can use periodic readings or aggregate values, depending on the sensor. These monitoring tasks help you follow changes over time. They serve a different purpose from the rapid feedback loop used to control a machine.
Record your first measurement