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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Maintenance and Reliability

Vibration

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

/vaɪˈbreɪʃən/nounCore term

In mechanical engineering, vibration means: A fast back-and-forth movement of a machine or structure. Too much of it can be a sign of a problem such as imbalance, misalignment or a damaged bearing.

In Turkish: titreşim

How it is used

Used in machine design, maintenance and condition monitoring. Vibration is measured in mm/s or g with sensors and analyzers and compared with alarm limits. Machines are isolated from it with rubber mounts and dampers.

Example sentences

  1. Vibration on the fan bearing has doubled since last month, so we should plan a stop.

  2. The vibration analysis showed imbalance in the impeller.

Common collocations

  • vibration analysis
  • vibration level
  • excessive vibration
  • vibration sensor
  • anti-vibration mount
  • condition monitoringRegularly measuring signs of a machine's health, such as vibration, temperature or oil quality, to spot problems early and plan repairs before a breakdown.
  • misalignmentA condition in which two connected shafts, for example of a motor and a pump, do not share the same center line, either because they are offset or because they are at an angle.
  • bearingA machine element that supports a rotating or sliding part, such as a shaft, and reduces friction between the moving surfaces. Ball and roller bearings are the most common types.
  • couplingA device that connects two shafts, for example a motor and a pump, so that torque is transmitted between them. Flexible types also allow a small amount of misalignment.
  • failureThe state in which a part or machine can no longer do its job, for example because it has cracked, worn out, leaked or stopped working.

More terms: Maintenance and Reliability

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