Human Vibrations

The effects of vibrations on human beings This specialist field deals with mechanical vibrations caused by a large number of processes and work procedures in industry, trade, craftsmanship, agriculture and forestry as well as traffic engineering. Mechanical vibrations, which are mainly transmitted via the seat and back of a sitting person, the feet of a standing person and the head and back of a reclining person, are known as Whole-Body Vibrations (WBV). The mechanical vibrations are mainly caused by the operating principle of hand-held machines (such as pneumatic drills etc.), the changing forces or imbalances occurring during materials processing or imbalances caused by rotating machine parts (as is the case with grinding machines). The vibrations are introduced into the hands via the handles or via the workpieces when these are held in position by the employees. This can have various biological effects:

Pains, impairment of fine motor skills Degenerative ailments of the bones and joints of the hand-arm system Disturbances of the peripheral blood circulation Impairment of peripheral nervous functions

The relevant scientific literature also mentions other forms of damage, for example damage to muscles or tendons, carpal tunnel syndrome und hypothenar hammer syndrome. However, the forms of illness described refer to relatively rare cases only, and up to now no information is available on the possible derivation of cause and effect relationships here. It cannot be ruled out that several different types of damage can afflict one and the same person simultaneously.

It can be considered as certain that the different effects mentioned arise on the basis of different damage mechanisms and are influenced in different ways by certain characteristics of exposure to vibrations. Besides the environmental factors also involved (such as cold or noise), in particular the time and frequency structure of the vibrations as well as the static forces to be exerted (holding forces as well as pressing or gripping forces) have an influence on the genesis of the afflictions. The effects of vibrations on the human body are a significant factor endangering the health and safety of employees. All Standards on the subject of vibration technology and active systems are to be found in the VDI manual Vibration Technology. If you are in search of approaches for solving other technical problems, please contact the secretariat of the VDIGPP. We will be glad to help you, and you can always talk to us, especially if you are a member of the VDI.

Calculation and assessment of machine vibrations

This specialist field deals with the following subject areas:

Mathematical analyses of the vibration types occurring in the drive trains or rotors of various machine units and analyses as to which data must be included in the result of the calculations. Mechanical vibrations of machines and equipment which occur for functional reasons and as a result of faults and damage. The instantaneous intensity of the vibrations in moving and non-moving machine components and their changes over time are therefore used for machine monitoring and diagnostics with the aim of assessing the machine condition. For this purpose, signal analysis techniques are usually used to form signal parameters such as the total effective value, the peak value or individual frequency components of the signals measured in order to use them as diagnostic features which are then compared with limits or monitored with regard to their changes over time. Techniques and devices for measuring the vibrations of machines. The fundamental criteria for the assessment of the results of measurements are developed. Also, instructions for the analysis and interpretation of measured vibrations are used here to find clues as to the causes of complaints, disturbances or damage and to be in a position to initiate remedial measures. Criteria for the assessment of vibrations in screw compressors and Roots blowers. Measurements of the nonrotating and rotating components of machines at the site where they are installed. These can also be used for acceptance inspections of compressor stages in test bays on the manufacturers premises.

Techniques and instructions for measuring and classifying the mechanical vibrations of reciprocating piston engines. The aim here is to give assistance for the evaluation and the uniform assessment of vibrations measured in the machine block of reciprocating piston engines. The results of the measurements conducted at the engine block should indicate normal, standard behaviour or if the recommended values determined are exceeded possible faults or problems of the reciprocating piston engine itself or of the machine in connection with the installation conditions.

All Standards on the subject of vibration technology and active systems are to be found in the VDI manual Vibration Technology If you are in search of approaches for solving other technical problems, please contact the secretariat of the VDIGPP. We will be glad to help you, and you can always talk to us, especially if you are a member of the VDI.

Mechatronic techniques
The increasing penetration of information technology into mechanical engineering opens up considerable potential benefits. The term mechatronics is used here. It refers to the close symbiotic interaction between mechanics, electronics and control and software technology with the aim of improving the behaviour of a technical system. Mechatronic techniques are based on data acquisition by sensors. This data is processed by processors, causing the triggering of actuators which influence the system. Future systems of mechanical engineering consist of configurations of elements with inherent partial intelligence. The communication and cooperation between these elements characterizes the overall system behaviour, thus opening up new opportunities for mechanical engineering. This perspective is characterized by the term self optimization.

Rotor Dynamics
Vibration Calculations This specialist field deals with the question as to which vibration types are to be mathematically analyzed in the drive trains or rotors of the various machine sets and which data must be included in the results of the calculation.

Vibration measurement and analysis technology

This specialist field deals with techniques and devices for measuring the vibrations of machines. The fundamental criteria for the assessment of the results of measurements and the relevant assessment standards are described here. Also, instructions for the analysis and interpretation of measured vibrations are provided in order to find clues as to the causes of complaints, disturbances or damage and be in a position to initiate remedial measures.

The following topics are dealt with in VDI Standards committees: General summary of the usual techniques for measuring, analyzing and assessing the vibrations of machines of all kinds Vibration patterns for excitation caused by imbalances, assembly errors, bearing disturbances and damage to rotating parts Vibration patterns of steam- or gas-powered turbo-generation sets, ventilators, fans and compressors for gases Vibration patterns in electrical machines, machine sets in hydraulic power stations Vibration patterns in pumps and reciprocating engines Assessment of the condition of roller bearings in machines and equipment Assessment of mechanical vibrations in screw compressors and Roots blowers Measurement and assessment of mechanical vibrations occurring in reciprocal piston engines and compressors

Techniques used to influence vibrations

This specialist area deals with the following:

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Dynamic processes in mechanical systems which are absorbed to a greater or lesser extent. This demonstrates the great significance of damping in the fields of technology and applied physics which deal with dynamics and vibrations. These include the following fields: Dynamics of machines, buildings and structures System dynamics Control engineering Technical acoustics This is because damping has a significant effect on the temporal course, the intensity or even the existence of vibrations in many cases. Here are some important applications: Transient vibrations (transient effects and decay processes, vibrations caused by impact, reverberation processes) Resonance vibrations (which can never be avoided in the case of stochastic excitation) Wave propagation Problems of dynamic stability Reduction of vibrations, for instance in devices, appliances, machines and buildings for which a further reduction in vibration excitation is no longer possible. The main topics are as follows here: Vibration insulation Vibration absorption Balancing techniques Vibration elimination Active vibration insulation Reduction of impact effects Low-vibration design