CASE STUDY Vibration Analysis Flags Bearing Defect, Prevents Downtime at Medical Products Facility
Cleanroom airflow is non-negotiable in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Even a brief disruption can compromise product quality, halt production, and trigger regulatory risk. At a large facility developing and producing medical products, Waites detected signs of a developing bearing defect on a rooftop supply fan motor. Failure of this equipment could have disrupted climate-sensitive processes, causing production delays and significant costs.
While overall levels remained stable, FFT analysis revealed Stage 3 activity on the motor's non-drive end bearing. High-frequency harmonics and non-synchronous sidebands stood out as classic markers of internal bearing damage. Waites' analysts flagged the issue and recommended motor replacement to stay ahead of a costly breakdown.
FFT spectrum highlighting elevated harmonic activity and non-synchronous sidebands, signs of an advancing bearing fault.
Post-replacement readings showed vibration levels had returned to baseline. The bearing issue was resolved, and fan performance stabilized.
The site team replaced both supply fan motors, and vibration amplitudes dropped significantly. Waites' analysts verified the improvement and adjusted baselines to reflect the new motors' condition.