ROOTCASTLE / ENGINEERING LAB
Imbalance
An offset between the mass centre and rotation axis creates a centrifugal force that increases with speed squared.
Mechanism
An offset between the mass centre and rotation axis creates a centrifugal force that increases with speed squared.
Typical symptoms
Radial vibration may contain a 1× component with repeatable phase. One peak does not establish a diagnosis.
Measurement method
Record horizontal and vertical bearing measurements with a tachometer phase reference at steady speed.
Alternative explanations
Eccentricity, a bent shaft and resonance can also generate 1×.
Additional measurements
Phase, a speed sweep and trial-weight response under an appropriate procedure.
Likely frequency components
1× RPM / 60
Limitations: without speed, load, mounting and transmission-path context, these examples are not diagnoses. Spectrum examples are conceptual, not complete fault models or field measurements.
SIMULATED · NOT LIVE TELEMETRY
Vibration / FFT
Model and assumptions
512 samples; deterministic sinusoids and seeded noise. FFT is one-sided peak amplitude, not RMS. Δf = fs/N. Hann coherent gain is corrected; spectral leakage can remain. The 4.7× component is not a physical bearing-fault model.
Educational model. Results are not sufficient to diagnose a machine or establish safe operating limits.
Further reading: SKF — Vibrations help find faulty components ↗