Case Studies on Paper Machine Vibration Problems Andrew K. Costain, B.Sc.Eng. Bretech Engineering Ltd., 70 Crown Street, Saint John, NB Canada E2L 3V6 email: andrew.costain@bretech.com website: www.bretech.com ABSTRACT A broad range of complex vibration problems can occur on paper machines. These include nipped roll interactions, problems with roll drive systems, and structural issues (including resonance). Successful analysis and resolution of paper machine vibration problems requires a thorough understanding of the equipment, and the ability to apply various diagnostic techniques. This paper will present several case studies, each describing the evaluation techniques used to diagnose a paper machine vibration problem. Keywords: vibration analysis, paper machine 1. INTRODUCTION Due to a large number of rotating components, paper machines are especially well suited to periodic vibration monitoring. Furthermore, there are numerous opportunities to apply vibration analysis for troubleshooting and diagnostics of complex problems (which are typically in abundance). Several examples of paper machine vibration problems follow. 2. CASE STUDIES 2.1. Fourdrinier Drive Roll Problem A 550 tpd newsprint machine experienced several catastrophic failures at the forward drive roll gearbox. Specifically, the gearbox input shaft sheared in an apparent fatigue failure 3 times within a period of 6 months. The roll position is shown in Fig 1, below. Figure 1 paper machine forming and press sections
Figure 2A, below, shows the drive and gearbox arrangement. Figure 2B shows the front side of the forward drive roll. Figure 2A drive and gearbox arrangement Figure 2B front side of forward drive roll Baseline vibration assessment of the drive train and forming section rolls detected relatively low vibration amplitudes (< 0.1 pk overall). No significant problems were apparent. Visual observations, with the aid of a strobe, indicated that under certain conditions, the drive appeared to be oscillating or hunting. Transient vibration measurements, as shown in Fig 3, below, did not exhibit any corresponding modulation of vibration amplitude. 0.4000 Transient Waveform of Gearbox High Speed Shaft - Horizontal JOB ID: ACGF 11:45:46 10/07/02-0.4000 Seconds 6000 Min : -0.1568 Max : 0.2276 Seconds: 22.7387 480 Spectrum of Horizontal Measurement - Gearbox High Speed Shaft JOB ID: ACGF 11:45:46 10/07/02 480 Zoomed Spectrum Of Horizontal Measurement - Gearbox HS Shaft JOB ID: ACGF 11:45:46 10/07/02 100000 : 390 Hertz: 17.8128 18000 : 0481 Hertz: 7.5001 Figure 3 time waveform, fft, and zoom fft of 60 second transient vibration measurement
It was noted that an unexplained peak at 7.5 Hz was consistently observed in measurements throughout the drive train and at various machine direction measurements on the fourdrinier. This is well below the gearbox output speed of 17.8 Hz. Motor current measurements, as shown in Fig 4, below, exposed a high 6X line frequency peak, indicating a possible dc drive rectifier fault. RMS Amplitude in Amps 120 100 80 60 40 PM3 - Current Clamp Measurements CCM -P01 Current Clamp Measurements ROUTE SPECTRUM 13-OCT-02 14:57:39 OVRALL= 37.09 G-DG RMS = 36.72 LOAD = 10 RPM = 277. RPS = 4.62 20 0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Frequency in Hz Figure 4 fft of motor current To further evaluate the observed drive oscillations, a shaft encoder was installed, providing a high resolution measurement (350 pulses per revolution) of shaft speed and any corresponding speed variations. The installed shaft encoder and output waveform are shown in Figs 5A and 5B, below. Some speed variations can be easily observed in the waveform. 0.6000 Waveform Of Pulse Encorder Output 3000 FPM - NDE Forward Roll Drive JOB ID: ACGF 14:25:01 09-Oct-02 Volts -0.6000 Seconds 0.1800 Volt: -0.1158 Seco: Figure 5A installed pulse encoder Figure 5B 180 msec time waveform of encoder output Further analysis of the output waveform exposed frequency modulation at 6.5 Hz, and a 180 phase shift. Each of these are considered evidence of a torsional resonance which is consistent with the failure mode. The bode plot (magnitude and phase vs frequency) is shown in Fig 6A, below. To further investigate the possibility of a resonance problem, forced response testing was conducted. The results for the jackshaft, shown in Fig 6B, below, indicate some response near the frequency of interest.
Note that the forced response test was performed in the accessible radial and axial directions, however the suspected resonance is torsional. 0.1000 Spectrum of Impact Test on Forward Roll Jack Shaft - Vertical JOB ID: ACGF 12:50:18 10/16/02 Log 001 20000 : 0106 Hertz: 7.0000 Figure 6A drive and gearbox arrangement Figure 6B front side of forward drive roll Although vibration amplitudes were found to be very low, recommendations were submitted to replace the SCRs and install a notch filter to prevent continuous operation of the drive in the range of 6 to 8 Hz. Since implementing the recommendations, no additional failures have occurred. 2.2. Press Roll Barring Problem A 350 tpd uncoated free sheet paper machine recently changed to a seamed press felt to facilitate faster, safer, fabric changes. This resulted in a significant increase in vibration amplitude at the 3 RD press detected by periodic monitoring. Other problems included significantly reduced roll cover life and runability issues. Fig 7, below, shows the v-nip roll chevron barring pattern. Figure 7 roll cover barring of 3 RD press v-nip roll
A baseline vibration assessment indicated a group of spectral peaks centered at 20 orders of turning speed for both 3 RD press rolls (v-nip, bottom and granite, top). Figs 8A and 8B, below, show the fft and zoom fft for a v-nip roll measurement. Zoom analysis indicated a sideband spacing of 0.7 Hz, corresponding to the felt pass frequency of the new (seamed) felt. Figure 8A fft of v-nip roll Figure 8B zoom fft of v-nip roll A wide variety of measurements and analysis were conducted, including synchronous time averaging, transient analysis, and forced response testing. A geometric analysis revealed that felt length (878 ) is an integer multiple of the 34.93 granite roll circumference. A polar plot of speed trial time data indicated a 4X node at the granite roll, as shown in Fig 9, below. Figure 9 speed trial polar plot time waveform and peak amplitude fft It was determined that due to the 3 RD press section geometry, the (top) granite roll induced a barring pattern in the press felt, which subsequently barred the resilient cover of the (bottom) v- nip roll. Recommendations to change the size of both the granite roll and the felt were implemented, resulting in a significant reduction of vibration amplitude, and improved machine runability.
2.3. Dryer Section Structural Problem A large newsprint machine was to increase nominal operating speed from 3400 fpm to 4000 fpm. Since existing runability problems at the dryer section (excessive sheet breaks) was already a concern, and since existing vibration forces were expected to increase with speed, a detailed dynamic analysis was conducted of the dryer section. A baseline vibration assessment revealed; 1) several dryer cylinder bearing defects, and 2) felt roll unbalance problems, as shown in Figs 10A and 10B, below. 1.2000 Waveform of Dryer Can #20 - Y Direction JOB ID: 202137-3 11:57:29 09/12/02 0.4800 Spectrum of Felt Roll F28 - X Direction JOB ID: 202137-4A 16:04:45 09/12/02 G's -1.2000 Seconds 4.2000 G's: -0.2682 Seconds: 0.1699 20000 : 0.3924 Hertz: 13.0000 300 Spectrum of Dryer Can #20 - Y Direction JOB ID: 202137-3 11:57:29 09/12/02 0.6000 Waveform of Felt Roll F28 - X Direction JOB ID: 202137-4A 16:04:45 09/12/02 G's 20000 : 217 Hertz: 3.7500-0.6000 Seconds 4.2000 G's: 696 Seconds: Figure 10A dryer bearing defect Figure 10B felt roll unbalance As shown in Figs 11A and 11B, below, excessive dryer cylinder unbalance was detected at dryer section #1. Similar results were found at section #2 and #3, with 1X dryer (4 Hz) amplitude up to 0.3 in /sec pk in the machine direction (target value is 4 pk). Conversely, the dryer sections #4 and #5 were found to be well within tolerance. Note that sections #1, #2, and #3 are driven by dryer felts, and sections #4 and #5 are driven by enclosed gear trains. 0.200 Tending Side 1X Vibration - 3650 FPM 0.238 0.210 0.202 Vibration Amplitude ( pk) 0.180 0.160 0.140 0.120 0.100 80 60 Vibrat ion Limit 40 20 00 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tending Side Horizontal Tending Side Vertical Dryer Cylinder #'s Tending Side Axial Figure 11A 1X dryer vibration amplitude Figure 11B 1X dryer phase / magnitude vectors
An operating deflection analysis indicated excessive machine direction motion in the supporting structure. The ods model is shown in Fig 12, below. Machine direction is +x. Figure 12 operating deflection shape model Visual examination of the support structure revealed previously installed machine direction braces, as shown in Fig 13A, below. These were found to be undersized, and in generally poor condition, with many of the structural welds broken. Figure 13A failed structural brace Figure 13B example structural brace Recommendations were submitted to design and install suitable machine direction bracing, similar to that shown in Fig 13B, above. At the time of writing, this work is in progress.
2.4. Winder Transient Vibration Problem The winder for a kraft paper machine experienced intermittent high vibrations when winding at high speeds (above 5000 fpm). Also, the winder motor shaft had failed 2 weeks prior to onsite diagnostics. A 300 sec time waveform (1 winder cycle) is shown in Fig 14, below. 3.0000 Transient Waveform of Winder Drive Roll Vertical 18:47:24 G's -3.0000 Seconds 30000 Min G's: -110 Max G's: -0439 Seconds: Figure 14 time waveform of 1 winder cycle The averaged fft spectrum, as shown in Figs 15A and 15B, below, indicated a significant broadband response in the range of 34.5 Hz through 39.5 Hz during the transient events. 800 Averaged Spectrum of 15 sec to 190 sec 18:47:24 800 Averaged Spectrum of 195 sec to 225 sec 18:47:24 10000 : 0811 Hertz: 8.6875 10000 : 240 Hertz: 8.8125 Figure 15A fft of 15 to 190 sec Figure 15B fft of 195 to 225 sec
Instantaneous spectra acquired before, during, and after the transient response include harmonic multiples of 1X paper roll turning speed, a good indicator of looseness. The high transient response is coincident with 4X paper roll turning speed. As shown in Figs 16A and 16B, below, the paper roll turning speed reduces during the winding process. During the high transient vibration 4X paper roll turning speed is 36.63 Hz. 8 PM#3 - IP Roanoke Rapids Winder -1V Drive Roll Bearing Vertical Route Spectrum 14-NOV-01 12:49:05 0.20 PM#3 - IP Roanoke Rapids Winder -1V Drive Roll Bearing Vertical Route Spectrum 14-NOV-01 12:49:18 PK Velocity in In/Sec 7 6 5 4 3 10.61 38.35 OVRALL=.1091 V-DG PK =.1086 LOAD = 10 RPM = 578. RPS = 9.63 PK Velocity in In/Sec 0.16 0.12 8 36.63 OVRALL=.1862 V-DG PK =.1854 LOAD = 10 RPM = 549. RPS = 9.15 2 11.32 4 1 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 Frequency in Hz Label: #1 Before Transient Vibration Freq: Ordr: Spec: 9.629 1.000.00958 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 Frequency in Hz Label: #2 During Transient Vibration Freq: Ordr: Spec: 9.154 1.000.00956 Figure 16A fft before high transient vibration Figure 16B fft during high transient vibration Forced response testing revealed a lightly damped system mode (natural frequency) of the drive roll jackshaft at 37.5 Hz. Resonance occurs when the 4X paper roll forcing function is coincident with the 37.5 Hz mode. 0.2400 Spectrum of Forced Response - Winder Drive Roll Jackshaft Vertical AF = f f n 2 f 1 18:01:35 10000 : 0.2168 Hertz: 37.5000 Figure 17 vibration response of jackshaft Using the formula shown in Fig 15, above, the amplification factor is determined to be at or near 20 (considered a high value).
Using the formulae shown in Fig 16A, below, the damping ratio is found to be at or near 25 (ie a lightly damped system). 4.0000 Waveform of Forced Response - Winder Drive Roll Jackshaft Vertical 1 x δ = ln n 0 xn 18:01:35 18000 Cross Channel Phase (Response per Force) 18:01:35 G's Degrees -4.0000 ζ = c δ cc 2π Seconds 2.0000 G's: 3.2400 Seconds: 0.2070-18000 10000 Degrees: -99.3808 Hertz: 37.5000 Figure 14 time waveform of 1 winder cycle Since the winder operates at constantly changing speeds, isolation or a tuned absorber cannot solve this problem. Tuning (changing the natural frequency of the jackshaft) will work only if the mode is carefully adjusted to below the lowest value for 4X paper roll ( 30 Hz) but above the 3X forcing function. Changing the support design (bearings) to introduce system damping will reduce the amount of amplification. Recommendations to minimize the forcing function (mechanical looseness) by correcting excessive bearing clearances and loose structural connections were followed, leading to a significant reduction in the transient vibration response. 3. SUMMARY A wide range of complex problems may occur on paper machines. Troubleshooting may require the application of one or more advanced diagnostic techniques. The author gratefully acknowledges the cooperation of Abitibi Consolidated Inc, Domtar Industries Inc, International Paper, and NorskeCanada, in the compilation of this article.