Vibration Analyzer VA-12

VIBRATION A N A L Y Z E R

Vibration Analyzer
VA-12
Portable vibration analyzer for Equipment
Diagnosis and On-site Measurements
Vibration Meter VA-12 With FFT analysis function

Piezoelectric Accelerometer
PV-57ｴ（with integrated preamplifier）

Magnet attachment（supplied）

Major Application Fields

Compact & Lightweight Product Development Vibration measurement at various stages of product development
Quality Assurance Pre-shipment testing, post-installation operation checks

Vibration Analyzer Maintenance

Simple Diagnosis
Startup testing after periodic maintenance and servicing
Daily routine checks and monitoring of unusual vibration conditions
VA-12 Precision Diagnosis Measurement of problem vibrations and detection of fault sources
 Vibration Meter Mode Menu Mode
■Allows simultaneous measurement of acceleration, The crisp color TFT display (240 x 320 dots) is easy
velocity, displacement, and acceleration crest factor to read, whether outdoors, indoors, or in a dark
location.

Vibration meter mode Menu

FFT Analyzer Mode

■Real-time analysis frequency 20 kHz
■Time waveform display and
spectrum display with up to 3 200
spectral lines. Envelope processing
also supported.
■Vibration waveform data recording
function(10 seconds at analysis
frequency 20 kHz)
Data stored in WAVE file format on
memory card (SD card).
■Timer controlled automatic
measurement Spectrum display (3 200 lines) Time waveform display

Spectrum after envelope processing Overlapping of stored data List display (top 10)

USB port allows use of System Diagram

unit as removable disk
Bottom view 1
Piezoelectric Accelerometer Curled Accelerometer Cable
PV-57 ｴ (supplied) VP-51K ｴ (supplied)
(With magnet attachment) (Length 50 to 100 cm)
VIBRATION ANALYZER VA-12
USB Mini B - B cable
CC-97 USB Printer
BL-112UI
Piezoelectric Accelerometer Accelerometer Cable BNC Adapter
PV-90 ｴ /41/97 ｴ VP-51 series VP-52C
2 3 4 (With integrated preamplifier)

1 SD card slot 3 Trigger input connector

2 USB port 4 AC adapter connector

Piezoelectric Accelerometer Accelerometer Cable Charge Converter USB A - Mini B cable

SD cards used as memory media PV-85/90B etc. VP-51 series VP-40 Allows recognition of SD card
Measurement data and VA-12 as removable disk, for transfer
setting data can be (copy/move) of stored data Computer
stored as a set on
memory cards. Up to
Lock

1 000 data sets per store AC adapter 512

MB

name are supported NC-99

(max. 100 store names). SD card (supplied)
 Vibration Meter Mode
Displacement / Acceleration / Velocity Vibration explained
Simultaneous Measurement of Mechanical vibrations can be represented as a
complex combination of a spring and weight,
Three Components as shown in the illustration on the right.
The basic physical quantities that define vibration Pen Spring

are displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

By measuring each of these values, Weight
the vibration condition can be assessed.

Displacement explained  Unit: : μm, mm, etc.

The movement distance (travel) from a reference point is called displacement.

For example, if a car travels a distance of 100 meters, the displacement value
is 100 m. When considering vibrations, the movement distance of the vibrating
object from the stationary rest position is the displacement, which changes
between positive and negative values.

100 m travel

Velocity explained Unit : mm/s, m/s, etc.

This quantity expresses the amount of change per unit of time. It is related to
the vibration energy.
For example, if a car travels a distance of 100 meters in 10 seconds, the
velocity is the distance (100 m) divided by the time (10 s), i.e. 10 m/s. When
considering vibrations, the displacement magnitude and direction change over
a short span of time, and the velocity therefore is not usually constant.
The following relationship exists:
Velocity = displacement x 2 π x vibration frequency
100 m travel
100 m
= = 10 m/s
10 s
10 s

Acceleration explained Unit : m/s2, mm/s2, etc.

Acceleration is the change in velocity per unit of time.

It is proportional to the impact force or other external force.
For example, if a car traveling at a velocity of 10 m/s changes to a velocity of
Values used to express 30 m/s over a period of 2 seconds, the acceleration is the change in velocity
vibration magnitude (20 m/s) divided by the time (2 s), i.e. 10 m/s 2. When considering vibrations, the
velocity and direction change over a short span of time, and the acceleration
therefore is not usually constant.
The following relationship exists:
RMS value Peak value Acceleration = velocity x 2 π x vibration frequency
（0.707） 10 m/s 30 m/s
P-P value
Acceleration
30 m/s ー 10 m/s
= =10 m/s2
2s
2s
（Velocity change is 20 m/s）

Usage of displacement, velocity, and acceleration

Peak value Displacement
RMS value Measurement of vibrations in a low frequency range (below 200 Hz)
Equivalent Cases where displacement as such is critical
P-P value
Assessment of wear and damage related to static deformation,
such as the effects of tensile force or compression
P-P value
Assessment of contact risks and machining precision
Velocity
Measurement of vibrations in a medium frequency range(10 Hz to 1 kHz)
■Peak value.......Maximum value of single-sided amplitude Detection of imbalance, misalignment, bolt loosening, rattle and play etc.
■RMS value.......Root mean square of instantaneous value Assessment of vibration severity (ISO 10816, JIS B 0906)
■P-P value(peak-to-peak value) Assessment of metal fatigue
... Maximum difference between highest and lowest value
Acceleration
■Equivalent peak value.........RSM value multiplied by √2
■Equivalent P-P value ..........RSM value multiplied by 2√2 Measurement of vibrations in a high frequency range（above 1 kHz）
■Crest factor......Peak value/RMS value Detection of bearing and gear defects etc.

4
Vibration Meter Mode Applications
Simple Diagnosis
Vibration magnitude
Measuring the magnitude of vibrations is a useful diagnostic technique for
ascertaining that machinery is operating normally and checking for signs of
possible problems.
For example, when vibrations exceeding the reference value in the velocity
range (up to 1 000 Hz) are detected, the presence of an imbalance,
misalignment, or loosening condition can be suspected, whereas vibrations in
the acceleration range (1 kHz to about 12 to 15 kHz) point to possible bearing
or gear problems.

Crest factor
The crest factor (C.F.) is an indication of the impact characteristics of a
waveform. It is determined by the ratio between the RMS and peak values.
Higher crest factor values indicate a stronger impact quality.
The crest factor of acceleration measurements is useful for detecting the
early stages of bearing damage.
Peak value
Crest factor=
RMS value
The vibration waveform of a bearing with a fault in the initial stage is shown in the example below.
Compared to the waveform of a normal bearing, the crest factor is higher.

Normal bearing Bearing with spot damage

(Peak value / RMS value = crest factor is small) （Peak value / RMS value = crest factor is large）

RMS value
Peak value RMS value
Peak value

Maintenance Management of Machine Equipment Periodic vibration measurement serves to detect problems.

Using an absolute evaluation standard Representative zone values

ISO 10816-1 (JIS B 0906 Mechanical Vibration - Evaluation of
Class boundary
Machine Vibration by Measurements on Non-Rotating Parts) value（mm/s）
Class Ⅰ Class Ⅱ Class Ⅲ Class Ⅳ
This is an absolute reference that can be used to judge whether
0.28
measured vibration data are normal or not. The vibration velocity A
0.45 A
RMS values are used. 0.71 A
A
1.12 B
《Definition of classes》 1.8 B
Class Ⅰ ： Small motors from 0 to 15 kW 2.8 C B
Class Ⅱ ： Motors from 15 to 75 kW, machinery equipment up to   4.5 C B
7.1 C
300 kW mounted on a rigid base 11.2 C
Class Ⅲ ： Large machinery equipment mounted on a rigid base 18.0 D
D
Class Ⅳ ： Large machinery equipment mounted on a flexible base 28.0 D
D
45.0

A：Excellent B：Good C：Fair D：Poor

Condition is normal, no action Condition is close to normal, no action Close monitoring required, repair Condition is hazardous, immediate
required. required, but monitoring required. action may be required soon. action required.

Using a relative evaluation standard（trend management）

Using the normal condition as a reference, threshold values for
caution and hazard conditions are set. Hazard level
When the caution level is exceeded, monitoring is reinforced, and
detailed diagnosis is performed when the hazard level is exceeded.
A commonly used factor for setting the levels is as follows: caution Caution level
level = 2 to 3 times the normal value, hazard level = 2 to 3 times the
caution value.
After deciding on the vibration measurement location, measurement
direction, and measurement frequency, a time series graph is 1 4 7 10 1 4 7 10 1 4 7 10（Month）

commonly used for trend management, comprising measurement 2006 2007 2008
values and other data.
Trend management diagram

5
 FFT Analyzer Mode
Motor
The Need for Frequency
Gear box
Analysis
Machinery usually comprises a variety of Fan
vibration sources such as motors, gears,
bearings, fans, etc. When devising measures to
minimize vibrations and when trying to locate
the causes of problematic vibrations, measuring
only the magnitude of vibrations often will not
provide enough information. It is also necessary
to perform frequency analysis, in order to

Vibration amplitude
determine which types of vibrations exist and
what their levels are.
As shown in the illustration, the locations where
vibrations occur will affect the vibration
frequency. Frequency analysis makes it
possible to pinpoint vibration sources with
greater accuracy. Vibration frequency

Spectrum Time Waveform

Vibration amplitudes are shown for each frequency. This shows the variations over time at the location of the
The time waveform is divided into constant intervals, accelerometer.
and FFT analysis* is performed for these intervals. It provides information that is not available from the spectrum
A sine wave will have only one line spectrum, but complex machine display, such as whether the vibration is normal or impact
vibrations will show peaks at various frequencies. related, whether it has shifted upwards or downwards, etc.
＊ FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analysis is a type of frequency analysis
that is particularly suited to analyzing machine vibrations.

FFT Analyzer Mode Applications

Product Quality Control
When testing products on manufacturing lines for unusual vibrations, frequency analysis can be
very helpful. For example, when targeting a specific frequency, it can be determined whether there
are vibration components in the adjacent frequency range. Using the frequency spectrum with a
known good product as reference, comparative analysis can be applied to pass / fail evaluation.

VIBRAT
ION
ANALYZ
ER
VA-12

Comparison to reference spectrum

（Overlapping of stored data）

6
FFT Analyzer Mode Applications
Precision Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery
Precision diagnosis is used to determine the cause of problems as well as the extent, location etc.

Bearings When diagnosing a bearing fault, it is necessary to know the repeat cycle
of the impact waveform. This can be achieved by envelope processing,
Bearing problems will cause using the principle illustrated below.
a significant increase in
acceleration values. ① Impact waveform due to bearing fault ② Waveform absolute value
As seen in the example, Repeat cycle Repeat cycle
envelope analysis shows the
peaks at equal intervals.
When the size, number of
rolling elements, axis rotation ③ Low-pass filter based envelope processing
speed and other parameters Repeat cycle Repeat cycle
are known, the primary
frequency of the lined-up ④ FFT analysis
peaks will provide information
about the problem location.

Misalignment
Misalignment explained Core misalignment
When there is a When two coupled rotating axes are not
misalignment, large vibration properly centered on relation to each
components that are an other, their centers of rotation will not be
integral multiple of the in linear alignment. This is called Face misalignment
rotation speed will appear in misalignment, which can be either
the axis direction. relative to the core or the face or a
The type of bearing joint combination of the two.
affects the multiplication When misalignment occurs, the thrust Core and face misalignment
factor. In the example shown load on the bearing increases due to
here, there are large end face runout, resulting in shorter
vibration components with a bearing life.
factor of 3.

Imbalance
When there is an imbalance, Imbalance explained
large vibration components This is a condition where the center of gravity of a rotating body has
at a frequency equal to the shifted from the center line. There are various types of imbalance,
rotation speed will appear in including static imbalance, couple imbalance, and dynamic imbalance.
the circumferential direction. When an imbalance occurs, the load on the bearing in the circumferential
Vibrations of other direction increases, resulting in shorter bearing life.
frequencies will be largely
absent. The vibration Static imbalance Couple imbalance Dynamic imbalance
amplitude is proportional to
the imbalance magnitude. At
higher rotation speeds, the
vibration amplitude is
proportional to the square of
the rotation frequency.

Measuring the Resonance Frequency of a Structure

When an external force at a
frequency close to the
resonance frequency is
applied to a structure, strong VIBRATION

ANALYZER

VA-12

vibration will occur. This can

lead to breakdown of
machinery, product quality
degradation, and other
problems. In order to guard
against such risks, measuring
the resonance frequency is
very important.
In the example shown at right,
multiple resonance
frequencies at 8 Hz, 98 Hz etc.
exist. To measure the resolution frequency, the structure is struck with a hammer
or similar and the resulting vibrations are subject to frequency analysis.

7
Specifications
Standard compliance CE marking (EMC Directive 2004/108/EC) Pretrigger Processing starts from data 1/8 frame time ahead
Chinese RoHS (export model for China only) Display Color TFT LCD, 240 x 320 dots, with backlight
WEEE Directive Japanese display, English display, Time display
Input section Warning indication LED (lights up in red to indicate overload)
Number of measurement 1 Memory
channels Memory media SD cards (max. 2 GB)＊
Connector type etc. BNC, CCLD 18 V 2 mA, (CCLD24 V 4 mA available as factory option) Store files Sets of measurement values and parameters can be stored on memory card
Sensor Piezoelectric Accelerometer PV-57ｴ (supplied) 1 000 data saved as one store name. Max. number of store names: 100
Input range Parameter setting Up to 5 parameter sets can be stored in unit
At sensitivity 0.100 to 0.999 mV/(m/s2) memory Parameter settings can be stored on memory card
 ACC (Acceleration) 10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1 000, 3 160, 10 000 m/s2 (rms) Wave files Up to 10 seconds per file (frequency range 20 kHz)
 VEL (Velocity) 31.6, 100, 316, 1 000, 3 160, 10 000, 31 600 mm/s (rms) Vibration waveform recorded during FFT processing
 DISP (Displacement) 0.89, 2.83, 8.94, 28.3, 89.4, 283, 894 mm (EQp-p) available when using a computer.
At sensitivity 1.00 to 9.99 mV/(m/s2), using PV-57ｴ BMP files Screen capture can be saved as BMP files.
2
 ACC (Acceleration) 1, 3.16, 10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1 000 m/s (rms) Recall function Measurement data can be read from memory card and redisplayed on screen.  
 VEL (Velocity) 3.16, 10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1 000, 3 160 mm/s (rms) Resume function Settings are memorized when power is turned off and can be restored at next power-on
 DISP (Displacement) 0.089, 0.283, 0.894, 2.83, 8.94, 28.3, 89.4 mm (EQp-p) Input/output section
At sensitivity 10.0 to 99.9 mV/(m/s2) Trigger input connector TTL level, BNC-mini plug, 2.5 mm dia. (for CC-24)
 ACC (Acceleration) 0.1, 0.316, 1, 3.16, 10, 31.6, 100 m/s2 (rms) USB port Removable Allows use of memory card inserted in unit as removable storage
 VEL (Velocity) 0.316, 1, 3.16, 10, 31.6, 100, 316 mm/s (rms) disk function device (removable storage device class)
 DISP (Displacement) 0.0089, 0.0283, 0.0894, 0.283, 0.894, 2.83, 8.94 mm (EQp-p) Printer Dedicated USB printer (BL-112Uｴ) can be used for printing, screen hard copy,
Measurement range (using PV-57ｴ, High-pass filter 3 Hz, Low-pass filter 20 kHz) function and continuous printing of specified memory address range
2
ACC (Acceleration) 0.02 to 141.4 m/s (rms) Continuous measurement, 1 Hz to 5 kHz Power
2
Instantaneous 700 m/s DC12 V (11 to 15 V) AC adapter NC-99, eight IEC R6 (size AA) batteries
maximum acceleration (23℃, normal operation, backlight off)
VEL (Velocity) 0.2 to 141.4 mm/s (rms) at 159.15 Hz Battery life Approx. 12 hours
DISP (Displacement) 0.02 to 40.0 mm (EQp-p) at 15.915 Hz Current consumption 145 mA (normal operation, backlight off)
Measurement frequency range (electrical characteristics) Ambient temperature and -10 to +50 ℃, 90 % RH or less (no condensation)
ACC (Acceleration) 1 Hz to 20 kHz humidity conditions for use
VEL (Velocity) 3 Hz to 3 kHz Dimensions, Weight 214 (H) x 105 (W) x 36 (D) mm; Mass Approx. 850 g (incl.
DISP (Displacement) 3 Hz to 500 Hz batteries, with protective cover, PV-57ｴ connected)
Acceleration envelope curve 1 kHz to 20 kHz Supplied accessories Piezoelectric Accelerometer PV-57ｴ, Curled cable, Magnet attachment
Filters IEC R6 (size AA) battery x 8, SD card, Protective cover, Shoulder belt
Prefilters
 High-pass filter 1 Hz (acceleration only), 3 Hz, 10 Hz, 1 kHz (-10 % point), cutoff slope -18 dB/oct
 Low-pass filter 1 kHz, 5 kHz, 20 kHz (-10 % point), cutoff slope -18 dB/oct Option
Acceleration envelope curve filter Name Model
 High-pass filter 1 kHz (-10 % point), cutoff slope -18 dB/oct Waveform Analysis Software CAT-WAVE
Inherent noise High-pass filter 3 Hz, Low-pass filter 20 kHz, lowest range setting Piezoelectric accelerometer Various
ACC (Acceleration) 0.01 m/s2 (rms) or less BNC Adapter VP-52C
VEL (Velocity) 0.1 mm/s (rms) or less Charge converter VP-40
DISP (Displacement) 0.01 mm (EQp-p) or less SD-CARD 512 MB＊ SD-512M
A/D conversion 24 bit principle, 51.2 kHz SD-CARD 2 GB＊ SD-2G
Dynamic range Maximum 110 dB (Acceleration) BNC-mini plug Cable CC-24
Vibration meter mode AC Adapter NC-99
ACC (Acceleration) m/s2 rms value, waveform peak value, crest factor USB Printer BL-112Uｴ
VEL (Velocity) mm/s rms value Thermal Printer Paper (10 rolls) P-112-30
DISP (Displacement) mm EQp-p USB Mini B-B Cable (for Printer connection) CC-97
FFT mode Time waveform, spectrum, Acceleration envelope curve ＊Use only RION supplied cards for assured operation
Analysis points 512, 1 024, 2 048, 4 096, 8 192 (3 200 lines)
Time window functions Rectangular, Hanning, flat-top
Processing Linear average, maximum, exponential averaging, instantaneous value
Frequency span 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, 20 kHz
Display Option
Spectrum Top 10 list, graph display (excluding DC)
 Zoom X axis : x1, x2, x4, x8, x16
Waveform Analysis
   Y axis : 2N, N = 0 to 10 (x1 to x1024) Software
Overlay display with stored data in spectrum mode
Time wave form Graph display
CAT-WAVE
Zoom X axis : x1, x2, x4, x8, x16, x32
CAT- WAVE allows
post-processing using stored
Y axis : 2N, N = 0 to 14 (x1 to x16 384) waveform file data from VA-12
Trigger
■Waveform display functions:
Trigger source
 Scaled time axis, Differential
External signal Triggered at falling edge of signal at external trigger input
 and integral calculus available
Input level Triggered when time waveform crosses a preset level ■Display functions of FFT analysis:
Trigger level can be set in steps of 1/8 of full scale on one-sided amplitude  Power spectrum, Cross spectrum, Transfer function, Coherence,
 Slope +/- trigger operation  Power spectrum map, Octave map, Differential and calculus for spectrum area
Trigger operation ■Octave band analysis:
Free-run Processing always carried out, regardless of trigger condition  Analysis frequency ranges:1/1 octave 0.5 Hz to 8 kHz (15 bands),
Repeat Processing carried out whenever triggering occurs      1/3 octave 0.4 Hz to 10 kHz (45 bands),
Single Processing carried out once only when triggering occurs      1/12 octave 0.36 Hz to 11 kHz (180 bands)
Time Data are stored according to the setting of Trigger Start Time,  Time weighting (time constants):1 ms, 10 ms, 35 ms, F (Fast), 630 ms, S (Slow), 10 s
Store Interval, Store number.  Frequency weighting: Flat, A, C

ISO 14001 RION CO., LTD.

＊ Specifications subject to change without notice. ISO 9 0 0 1 RION CO., LTD.

Distributed by:

http://www.rion.co.jp/english/

3-20-41, Higashimotomachi, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8533, Japan

Tel: +81-42-359-7888 Fax: +81-42-359-7442

This product is environment-friendly. It does not include toxic chemicals on our policy.
This leaflet is printed with environmentally friendly soy ink on recycled paper.
0907-1 0910.P.C