A vibration analyst’s day is always unpredictable, but there is a general flow that most of us experience. This blog post shares what a typical day looked like for me while working in the field as a full-time, on-site vibration analyst.
7:00am | Coffee
Upon arriving at my office, my day always begins with a hot cup of coffee and a review of the previous day’s activities. This review includes checking emails and speaking with plant personnel to ensure no events occurred overnight that require investigation. As long as we are doing our job well, this usually just means enjoying another cup of coffee with the team!
At this time, we are also planning our work for the day. I always prefer to collect data in the morning so that I have time to review it and follow up as needed. If you come across a piece of equipment that requires immediate attention, it’s best to inform the maintenance team as soon as possible. This allows them time to respond and helps prevent anyone from having to stay late or work overtime to resolve the issue. However, if we are doing our job well, this rarely happens.
8:00am | Route Prep
Next, we need to determine which routes to take and load them onto our data collector. As we plan the day’s routes, it’s also a good idea to review the equipment on each one and note any assets that appear in the report. This allows us to give them extra attention while we are out in the field.
8:30am | Collect Data
With the morning administrative tasks out of the way, we gather our equipment, including the data collector, accelerometer, strobe light, and pyrometer, and head into the plant to collect data. While this process can feel repetitive since we check the same equipment month after month, I have always found it more engaging when I approach it like I am fishing or hunting for problems. While the data collector records measurements, we have a few seconds to observe, listen, and feel the machine for any signs of developing issues. Are the seals leaking? Is there a new noise? Is it running hotter than usual? Staying attentive is key to avoiding autopilot mode and ensuring we are truly analyzing the condition of the equipment.
Remember to:
- Take note of any equipment that shows an alarm or a change in amplitude from previous readings.
- Spend a few extra minutes on equipment you know is in poor condition.
- Identify any interesting details on equipment that you plan to review later.
- Talk to the operators and see if they have noticed any equipment that is not running properly.
If you find something that requires immediate attention, be prepared to stop everything and give it the focus it deserves. It is important to identify the problem and inform plant maintenance as soon as possible, even if that means stopping halfway through a route to return to the office, reviewing the data, and getting a report on someone’s desk right away.
11:30am | Lunch and Analysis
Once we finish collecting our data, it is time to return to the office, take a break for lunch, and then review everything we gathered that day. I strongly recommend setting aside time in the afternoon to review the data while it is still fresh in your mind. As long as you have reliable alarm limit settings and pay attention during data collection, this process is as simple as going through your notes and reviewing any alarms. If you find anything that requires immediate attention, be sure to address it and inform all relevant parties. Additionally, if you identify any equipment that requires further analysis, such as phase measurements or additional readings with higher resolution or bandwidth, this is the time to go back out and collect that data.
2:00pm | Follow-Up
Depending on the day, we try to set aside some extra time to confirm our analysis and ensure we provide an accurate report. It’s also helpful to have this buffer in case we don’t complete the morning’s route.
This additional time allows us to review our findings carefully, ensuring nothing is overlooked. By double-checking the data and revisiting any areas of concern, we can provide a more thorough and reliable analysis. This extra step not only enhances the quality of our reports but also helps prevent errors that could lead to missed issues or delayed maintenance actions.
3:30pm | Head Home
With everything wrapped up, we pack up our gear and head home. The fish are always biting somewhere.
The goal is to break the month into manageable daily chunks and ensure that all equipment scheduled for the day is analyzed and reported on before heading home. While this represents an ideal day, we often end up working longer to finish up. We are always on call in case we’re needed to quickly diagnose an issue. Additionally, during major maintenance events, we may be required at the plant to collect baseline data, perform alignments, and balance fans.
