Signal processing technologiesSignal processing technologies
- Acoustic diagnostics
In the field of acoustic diagnostics, Yamatake is working on two fronts: diagnosing abnormal machinery operation and detecting leaks in pipes.
Conventionally, the primary diagnosis for most equipment would begin with a visual inspection made by trained engineers, who would also listen for unusual sounds and take readings with vibration gauges, etc. Based on this evidence and their past experience, they would come to conclusions regarding whether the machinery was ageing, damaged, etc. These days, however, having such highly trained maintenance staff on site is no longer common, and consequently there is a growing demand for diagnostic equipment that can be used easily by anyone, irrespective of their expertise or experience. To meet this demand, Yamatake supplies acoustic diagnostic equipment that can rapidly perform an accurate diagnosis of equipment simply and clearly.
Key components are a highly directional, parabolic microphone; a reverse filter method of signal processing that compares the noise produced by the machinery undergoing diagnosis to the noise produced when it is operating normally so as to determine the nature and origin of any abnormal sounds; and wavelet analysis technology (Figure 1) to visualize and thus gain a clear idea of the characteristics of any abnormal sound.
Figure 1: Bearing sound wavelet analysis
Wavelets offer a very useful method of signal analysis for phenomena that are irregular, noisy, intermittent or transient in nature. This makes them suitable for the analysis of sound. This is an especially powerful method of visualizing sound to obtain a clear idea of the relationships between time, frequency and strength. Because of these advantages of wavelet analysis technology for acoustic diagnosis, Yamatake is also developing a wavelet acoustic measurement & analysis tool that can be used easily outside the laboratory.
Figure 2: Wavelet acoustic measurement & analysis tool
Wavelets offer a very useful method of signal analysis for phenomena that are irregular, noisy, intermittent or transient in nature. This makes them suitable for the analysis of sound. This is an especially powerful method of visualizing sound to obtain a clear idea of the relationships between time, frequency and strength. Because of these advantages of wavelet analysis technology for acoustic diagnosis, Yamatake is also developing a wavelet acoustic measurement & analysis tool that can be used easily outside the laboratory.
Figure 2: Wavelet acoustic measurement & analysis tool
- Plant operation diagnostics
In a plant it is frequently the case that new products must be manufactured using existing equipment, and faced with such a situation an important concern for managers is the rapid establishment of a system that will ensure high product quality and supply stability.
Yamatake has developed an analogous pattern detection technology that can prove very useful in such situations. From characteristic frequencies exhibited in plant behavior, it is possible to pinpoint the causes of control instability, and by making adjustments at these points, the behavioral fluctuations found throughout the plant can be eliminated at one stroke, thus improving control over the whole manufacturing process.
Based on these results, we are working on R&D aimed at developing new plant optimization methodologies using plant analysis and tuning.
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