Bearing Inspection with SONAPHONE

App release & new ultrasonic sensor for condition monitoring in preventive maintenance

SONOTEC launches a holistic solution for ultrasonic bearing inspection with new SONAPHONE LevelMeter 2.0 app, the BS40 structure-borne sensor and new features in the SONAPHONE DataSuite maintenance software.

The new version of the SONAPHONE LevelMeter App not only shines in a new design, but also offers all SONAPHONE users an optimal workflow for bearing inspection. Thanks to integrated manual gain changeover, constant measurement conditions can be ensured, e.g. in the context of comparative measurements. With the adjustable band-pass filter, the frequency range can be flexibly adapted to the respective test task and interference noise can be suppressed. The SONAPHONE is thus the world's first digital ultrasonic testing device capable of acquiring broadband ultrasonic signals with a bandpass that is variable in frequency and bandwidth, and of outputting calculated characteristic values.

The characteristic values for performing a bearing inspection have been expanded to include the CREST factor (crest factor). This factor represents the peak content in the measurement signal and is an important aid in the detection and evaluation of rolling bearing damage.

The characteristic values for performing a bearing inspection have been expanded to include the CREST factor (crest factor). This factor represents the peak content in the measurement signal and is an important aid in the detection and evaluation of rolling bearing damage.

Another completely new feature is the ability to view and log the time signal as a Time Wave Form (TWF) directly on the SONAPHONE. The time signal completes the previous display of the ultrasound as level curve and spectrogram. An advantage of the time signal is the possibility to measure the repetition frequency in signals in the PC software SONAPHONE DataSuite.

With the new BS40 structure-borne sound sensor, SONOTEC introduces a sensor that is ideally suited for testing rolling bearings. It is handy and robust at the same time. In addition, it convinces with a laser-welded stainless-steel housing. The standard ¼"-28 UNF threaded bolt allows maximum flexibility in mounting. Thus, the BS40 can be used with magnets for flat or curved surfaces or can also be screwed to adhesive pads with an internal thread of ¼"-28 UNF. The optimized sensor characteristic in the range from 10 kHz to 65 kHz ensures a nearly linear frequency response. The downward extension of the previous ultrasonic frequency range to < 1 KHz also provides more flexibility for machine diagnostics. A piezo composite developed by SONOTEC is installed in the sensor itself. Here, the ultrasonic expert draws on its 30 years of experience in sensor manufacturing.

SONAPHONE DataSuite PC Software

The revised SONAPHONE DataSuite software rounds off the new complete solution for rolling bearing inspection. For the first time, trending of key figures for rolling bearing evaluation is now possible. The transfer of the previous measurement conditions from the PC software to the LevelMeter 2.0 on the SONAPHONE is a prerequisite for error-free data collection and meaningful trending. Thanks to a new analysis feature, repetition frequencies in the time signal (TWF) can be read by means of a cursor in the SONAPHONE DataSuite. This tool is particularly useful for bearing testing, but also for evaluating partial discharges, in conjunction with an airborne sound sensor (e.g. BS10 or BS30).

About SONOTEC

Founded in 1991, SONOTEC GmbH has developed into one of the world's leading product and solution specialist for innovative measurement technologies. With more than 170 employees and a modern corporate structure comprising three independent business units - Preventive Maintenance, Non-destructive Testing and Non-invasive Fluid Monitoring - the technology leader operates its global sales activities from the Halle (Saale) based German headquarters. The distributed portfolio includes customized ultrasonic transducers and sensors as well as testing devices and measurement solutions for a variety of different industries.

Keywords 

• Preventive Maintenance 
• Condition Monitoring with Ultrasound 
• Bearing Inspection