Simcenter Testing Solutions Simcenter Testlab Signature

Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/phO1VQxBjHY
 

This article details how to use Simcenter Testlab Signature (formerly called LMS Test.Lab) to measure data on a piece of rotating machinery. Possible measurement functions include orders and spectral waterfall functions. These functions show the evolution of vibration or sound as a function of speed of the rotating object.

A minimum of two channels of data are required to measure spectral waterfalls and orders:

• Tachometer Transducer
• Sound or Vibration Tranducer(s)

The speed of a rotating piece of machinery is measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM, by the tachometer. The sound and/or vibration of the rotating system is measured in conjunction with the tachometer, using microphones and accelerometers.

Contents:
1. Equipment Needed
2. Getting Started
3. Channel Setup
4. Calibration
5. Tracking Setup
   5.1 Tachometer Setup
   5.2 Tracking Setup
6. Acquisition Setup
7. Online Processing
8. Measure
   8.1 Throughput
   8.2 Displaying Data while Measuring
   8.3 Acquiring Data
   8.4 Post Processing Data: Audio Replay

1. Equipment Needed

Here is a complete list of required equipment (Figure 1):

• SCADAS data acquisition system
• Computer with Simcenter Testlab Signature
• Tachometer
• Accelerometer(s) or Microphone(s)
• Appropriate cables
• Test object

Figure 1: Equipment used in rotating machinery testing with Simcenter Testlab Signature

Depending on the test object, different types of tachometers might be used (Figure 2). For example, magnetic pickups are ideal for metal gears, while lasers are often used with striped "zebra tape".

Figure 2: Different tachometer devices – Left is magnetic pickup, right is zebra tape

A tachometer measures speed in revolutions per minute or RPM. The tachometer sensor detects when a gear tooth, piece of reflective tape, or stripe passes by the sensor as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: The time between pulses is used to calculate the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotating system

Using the time between crossings, the Simcenter Testlab software can calculate the speed at which the shaft is rotating in units of RPM.

2. Getting Started

The following channels should be in place:

• Tachometer attached to SCADAS input labeled TACHO or T1
• Microphone or accelerometer sensors attached to dynamic input channels on SCADAS

To get started with Simcenter Testlab Signature:

• Turn ON the SCADAS frontend and make sure it is connected to the PC. For SCADAS XS this is a USB connection, while for SCADAS mobiles, this is an Ethernet connection.
• Double-click the "Simcenter Testlab" or “LMS Test.Lab” icon on the Windows desktop or in the Windows start menu.
• Open up the "Testlab Signature" or “Test.Lab Signature” folder.
• Double-click the ‘Signature Acquisition’ icon, as shown in Figure 4. Depending on the exact license purchased, ‘Signature Testing – Standard’ or ‘Signature Testing – Advanced’ might be used instead.

Figure 4: Double-click the ‘Signature Acquisition’ icon to get started

Note: It is also possible to copy this icon onto your desktop to create a shortcut. Right click on the icon and select “Send to -> Desktop (create a shortcut)”.

Once the software is open, a mostly grey screen appears, waiting for a project to be opened. Click the white page icon in the top left to open a new project as shown as in Figure 5. The software will communicate to the SCADAS frontend to determine the number of available channels for the test. This can take a few seconds depending on the number of channels.

Figure 5: Click on the white page icon in the upper left to open a new project

After the new project is open, it is called “Project1.lms” by default. This is similar to how Microsoft Powerpoint starts with “Presentation1.pptx” or Microsoft Word starts with “Document1.docx”. Choose “File -> Save As…” from the main menu to save a project to the desired name as shown in Figure 6. The project file will have an *.lms extension and can be stored in any directory.

Figure 6: Choose “File -> Save As…” to save the project file

There are several ‘worksheets’ along the bottom of the screen as shown in Figure 6. To setup and perform a signature measurement, work through the worksheets from left to right, starting with the ‘Documentation’ worksheet and ending in the ‘Measure’ worksheet. Note that the Navigator worksheet, which is used for data viewing, can be skipped until some data is acquired.

In the ‘Documentation’ worksheet, pictures of the test setup can be stored and other documentation created. See the Knowledge Base article called "What's up with the Documentation worksheet?".

3. Channel Setup

After documenting, select the ‘Channel Setup’ worksheet as shown in Figure 7. An Excel-like table contains a list of all the channels in the connected SCADAS frontend. Each row corresponds to one channel.

Figure 7: In the ‘Channel Setup’ worksheet, each row corresponds to one channel

Turn ON the Input1 and Tacho1 channels by checking the box next to each input name:

• Input1 (Microphone): The channel group id should be set to ‘acoustic’ and the input mode should be set to ‘ICP’.
• Tacho1 (Tachometer): Use all of the default settings.

More information on Channel Setup and triaxial accelerometer setup in these articles:

• Cool Channel Setup tricks for Triaxial Accelerometers
• Simcenter Testlab Data Acquisition Tips

Now the microphone can be calibrated before taking the measurement.

4. Calibration

A pistonphone can be used to calibrate the microphone. The pistonphone produces a specific frequency and amplitude level to check the calibration of the microphone and adjust it if necessary.

At the top of the ‘Calibration’ worksheet, enter the specific information for the calibrator being used (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Enter calibrator information (Unit, Frequency, and Level) at the top of the ‘Calibration’ worksheet

The unit for a microphone calibrator is “Pa” which is an abbreviation for the sound pressure measurement unit of Pascals. In this case, 1000 Hz and 94 dB RMS are settings from the calibrator. The frequency of 1000 Hz is common for microphone calibrators because the A-weighting curve has 0 dB of attenuation or gain at that frequency, so it cannot affect the calibration value.

Insert the microphone into the calibrator as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Microphone (left) and Calibrator (right)

After entering the calibrator values, turn on the calibrator, and press the “Check” and “Start” buttons at the bottom of the worksheet as shown in Figure 10. The calibration time history and frequency spectrum should show on the left hand side.

Figure 10: Press the “Check” and “Start” buttons to start viewing calibration signal

If the calibrator frequency measures as expected, the calibration starts. An orange message will indicate that calibration is in progress as shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11: Orange message area indicates that calibration is in progress

This orange message area is designed to allow viewing from across a room so a single person can do the calibration.

When the calibration is finished, the message area turns green as shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Green message area indicates that calibration is finished

The newly calculated calibration values are shown in a column called “New Sensitivity”.

The previous calibration values are shown in the column labelled “Actual Sensitivity”. The “Actual Sensitivity” values are used for the measurement.

Press the “Accept” button (lower right) to update the calibration values. The values in “New Sensitivity” will replace the values in “Actual Sensitivity”. These values will automatically be active everywhere in Simcenter Testlab, including the ‘Channel Setup’ worksheet.

The left side displays will also update to reflect the new calibration values.

5. Tracking Setup

In the ‘Tracking Setup’ worksheet, there are two main objectives:

• Tachometer Setup – Set the pulses per revolution and trigger to read RPM properly from the tachometer.
• Tracking Setup – Set how the acquisition will be performed. The type of result as well as the start and stop conditions are set in this worksheet.

5.1 Tachometer Setup

Set the pulses per revolution on the right hand side to match the number of pulses per revolution of the tachometer being used. In this example, the number of pulses is set to 1. The tachometer calculates RPM using only the one piece of tape placed on the flywheel of the stirling engine.

With the test object running, set the trigger level for the tachometer as shown in Figure 13. The black line, which is a graphical representation of the trigger level, should ideally be placed in the center of the pulses.

Figure 13: Set the trigger level to be in the center of the amplitude of the pulses

If the trigger is set properly, the yellow RPM readout in the lower left should read close to the expected RPM value.

The trigger level can be changed if the RPM is not reading properly. The trigger level can be lowered or raised by:

• Level Value: Manually typing in a level value on the right side menu.
• Cursor: Moving the black bar (ie, Y cursor) in the display window up or down.

If the trigger is set too high or too low, the tachometer will read zero RPM as shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14: If the pulse train signal does not pass thru the trigger level, the RPM will read zero

Set the trigger level to where the tachometer pulse passes through the signal and the RPM reads out properly at the bottom of the tracking screen.

5.2 Tracking Setup

The type of results, as well as the start and stop conditions of the measurement, are set in the Tracking setup area in the lower right of the worksheet. Examples of possible start and stop conditions include:

• Manual start and measurement that lasts 30 seconds
• Start and stop based on a RPM range

In addition to start and stop definition, there are two options for measurement output that can be defined: tracked and stationary (Figure 15):

• Stationary: a single, averaged spectrum
• Tracked: multiple spectra, usually plotted against RPM or time

If both a tracked result and stationary result are desired, this is possible. The measurement mode should be set to tracked, and ‘Map statistic’ functions should be checked on. The ‘Map Statistic’ function can be enabled in the Online Processing worksheet in the Sections area under Map Statistics.

Figure 15: Stationary versus Tracked measurement mode

In this example, measurement mode will be set to tracked to measure a run down from 800 RPM to 300 RPM, with the increment setting of 2 RPM. The data will be collected from 800 rpm to 300 rpm with a spacing of 2 RPM between each spectrum in the resulting waterfall. Approximately 250 spectrums will be calculated during the measurement (500 RPM range divided by increment of 2). In reality, the 2 RPM is a decrement, not an increment, in this example.

6. Acquisition Setup

Move to the ‘Acquisition Setup’ worksheet as shown in Figure 16. Here the bandwidth and frequency resolution for the Fourier spectrums can be set:

• For setting the bandwidth, make sure to set it to the highest frequency of interest. For example, the human hearing range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. For an acoustic signal, setting a bandwidth of 20,000 Hertz or higher is ideal. For vibration measurements, a bandwidth of a few thousand Hertz is typical.
• The frequency resolution can also be set for the the resulting spectrums by selecting either the frequency lines or resolution in the upper right.

***Important: Set the sampling rate high enough to capture any frequency of interest, because it is difficult to re-measure later once the test object is de-instrumented and sent away.***

Figure 16: ‘Acquisition Setup’ worksheet for setting Bandwidth and Frequency Resolution

If the measurement consists of both acoustic and vibration signals, different sampling rates can be set for each type of signal. Check on the 'Multiple Sample Rates' checkbox in the upper right corner of the software.

See the 'Digital Signal Processing' Knowledge Base article for more information on sampling rates, frequency resolution, bandwidth, etc.

7. Online Processing

Move to the ‘Online Processing’ worksheet. It is possible to have the Simcenter Testlab Signature software process the data while it is being acquired. For example, go to the acoustic tab at the top of the worksheet and change the ‘Final weighting’ to A-weighting as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 17: In the Acoustic group set the Final Weighting field to ‘A-weighting’

By setting A-weighting in the Acoustic group, any spectrums calculated from the acoustic channels will be A-weighted, even if the time data is being acquired with Linear weighting.

Some additional notes about weighting with Simcenter Testlab:

1. Pre-Weighting - If the Pre-Weighting channel setup field is set to A-weighting, because the time signal is being weighted before reaching the SCADAS frontend, the frequency data will not be A-weighted again. A-weighting would only be applied once, not twice.
2. Frontend-Weighting - If the frontend weighting channel setup field is set to A-weight the time data, the same holds true: any frequency data will not be A-weighted again by using the A-weighting setting in Online Processing.

Additional processing functions, like overall level and orders, can be calculated while the acquisition is on-going. Go to the ‘Overall Level’ tab in the middle of the worksheet and make sure the ‘Overall Level’ checkbox is checked ON as shown in Figure 18.

Figure 18: Overall Level setup in the ‘Online Processing’ worksheet

In the ‘Order Sections’ tab, enter the orders to be calculated. For example, entering “1;2;3;4;5;6” will create a table of six orders to be calculated. Make sure to press ENTER or the orders will not be calculated.

If the orders have been entered correctly, a table should appear as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19: Enter orders to be calculated in the Order Section of the ‘Online Processing’ worksheet

After pressing enter, the table should be filled in with the orders. The cut mode for the orders and corresponding bandwidth can be entered. If there is more than one tracking tachometer, it can be selected in the upper left of the menu. Orders with respect to each separate tachometer can be entered.

There are many other calculations that can be done while the measurement is in progress, including psycho-acoustic metrics, frequency band cuts, frame statistics, and derived channels.

8. Measure

In the Measure worksheet, the acquisition is performed. All settings from previous worksheets are used in this worksheet. There are some Function buttons across the top where these settings can be changed (F3, F4, F5, F6, F8). Any changes performed with the function buttons are cascaded automatically to all related worksheets.

In the lower right, there are buttons to start and stop the acquisition as shown in Figure 20. Displays can be setup to monitor the data while acquiring.

8.1 Throughput

Make sure that the check box that says ‘Save Throughput’ is checked as shown in Figure 20. Checking this ON saves raw throughput time data for listening and re-processing at a later time.

Figure 20: Make sure the ‘Save Throughput’ checkbox is ON in the Measure worksheet to record the throughput time data

In addition to collecting the throughput time file, the processed data will also be calculated during the measurement. Be sure that under “Tools -> Add-ins” that the “Time Recording during Signature” add-in is turned ON, otherwise an error message may appear, especially if this is the first time the software is being used.

8.2 Displaying Data while Measuring

Displays can be configured to monitor and view data while measuring (Figure 21). To do so:

1. Open a display by clicking on one of the icons in the upper left.
2. To select the data to display, click on ‘Data Explorer’ in the upper right.
3. Navigate into the ‘Online Data’ folder and select the data to be displayed. Drag and drop the desired data into the display.

Figure 21: Click on icons in upper left to open displays, and select ‘Data Explorer’

There are several folders in the ‘Online Data’ folder:

• Fixed Sampling – Named for the mode of data acquisition. It is also possible to have a ‘Real-time octave’ folder and an ‘Angle domain’ folder if those modes are turned on under the “Tools -> Add-ins” menu
• Monitor – Data selected from this folder and placed in a display continuously updates when the system is armed, whether an acquisition is in progress or not. It is useful for monitoring the channels to make sure the transducers are working
• Instantaneous – Data in this folder updates only when a acquisition is in progress. It shows the current spectra being acquired and stored.
• RunUp/RunDown/Time/Stationary – Data in this folder is calculated using the ‘Tracking Setup’ settings. The folder includes items like waterfalls, order cuts, frequency sections, etc. The folder name changes if the tracking setting is changed.

For more information on creating and changing display layouts, see the "Simcenter Testlab Display Layouts" Knowledge Base article.

8.3 Acquiring Data

To begin the measurement, use the buttons on the middle of the right hand side. Press the ARM button and then the PLAY (with arrow) button (Figure 22). This will start the measurement. When the start trigger condition is reached, the displays should update.

Figure 22: Measurement action buttons in Measure worksheet

When the rundown has finished, press “Yes” to accept the data and then press ARM button again to disarm.

Post Processing Data: Processing Cursor

Use the processing cursor to interrogate the data (Figure 23):

1. In a colormap display, right click and select “Add Processing Cursor -> Order”.
2. From the cursor processing dialog box, drop the data into a 2D display. Close the box when finished.
3. Move the cursor and the order information in the 2D display will update.

Figure 23: Use the Processing Cursor to interact with the data

More information on the Processing cursor can be found in the Knowledge Base article 'Interactive Order Cursor!'.

8.4 Post Processing Data: Audio Replay

It is possible to listen to the recorded data and filter it while listening (Figure 24):

1. Right click in colormap or other display that contains listening data of interest and select “Audio Replay…”. When using a 2D display, first select the curves and right click on them.
2. In the Audio replay menu, add a filter type (bandpass, bandstop, highpass, lowpass, etc)
3. Set the frequency ranges for the selected filters.
4. Use the “Play” button to start listening.

Figure 24: To listen to data, right click in display and choose “Audio replay…”

When listening, filters can be turned ON and OFF using the checkbox next to the filter type.

If Audio Replay does not appear when right clicking, make sure to turn it on under “Tools -> Add-ins”. Select “Audio Replay and Filtering”.

More about audio replay in the knowledge article: Simcenter Testlab Audio Replay and Filtering.
 

If performing multiple runs and statistics, the “Run Data Averaging and Comparison” organizer under “Tools -> Add-ins” is very helpful. It can be used to capture the maximum, average, minimum, and six sigma standard deviation of the runs. More information is available in the 'Compare runs' Knowledge Base article.

 

Questions? Post a reply, email scott.beebe@siemens.com, or contact Siemens Support Center.

 

Related Links

• Index of Testing Knowledge Articles
• Simcenter Testlab Data Acquisition Tips
• What is an order?
• Torsional Vibration: What is it?
• Zebra Tape Butt Joint Correction for Torsional Vibrations
• Measuring RPM: Missing Pulses
• Balancing: Static, Coupled, and Dynamic
• Removing Spikes from RPM Signals
• Order Tracking versus Synchronous Sampling
• Tips and tricks for acquiring torsional orders
• Simcenter Testlab Combustion Analysis
• Harmonic Removal
• Order Cuts: How to get the right amplitude
• Simcenter Testlab: Colormap Displays
• Interpreting Colormaps
• Cycle to Cycle Averaging in Simcenter Testlab
• Recalculating Levels with Orders Removed
• Angle Domain Analysis
• Simcenter Testlab: Switching Frequencies and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Signals
• Simcenter Testlab: Calculating Angular Difference
• Rotating Machinery Dynamics Seminar
• Rotating Machinery YouTube Playlist

SCADAS Acquisition Hardware

• Simcenter SCADAS
• Simcenter SCADAS Mobile and SCADAS Recorder Hardware
• Simcenter SCADAS XS: Everything you need to know!
• Simcenter Testlab Smart App Favorites!
• Simcenter SCADAS Cable Guide
• Simcenter SCADAS RS for Testing in Harsh Environments
• Simcenter SCADAS RS Recorder App
• Single Ended versus Differential Inputs
• AC versus DC Coupling
• How to use SCADAS T8 Thermocouple card?
• ICP versus IEPE versus Charge Accelerometers
• Long Cable Lengths and ICP Transducers
• Simcenter SCADAS YouTube Playlist

Simcenter Testlab Acquisition Tips

• Getting Started with Simcenter Testlab
• Simcenter Testlab Signature
• Simcenter Testlab Audio Replay and Filtering
• Hands-free acquisition (almost)
• Capturing Transient Events in Simcenter Testlab
• Cool Channel Setup tricks for Triaxial Accelerometers
• GPS triggered data acquisition
• How to calculate a VECTOR SUM
• Tips and tricks for acquiring torsional orders
• CAN Bus Measurements
• No more tach! OBDII for engine speed
• Record Raw CANBUS Data and Decode Offline!
• Single Plane Balancing in Simcenter Testlab
• Measuring strain gauges in Simcenter Testlab
• Correcting a bad calibration factor
• Simcenter Testlab Calibration