Overall factory average spectrum: global vibration index for diagnosis and prognosis of large sets of rotating machinery

Spectral analysis of rotating machinery requires studying the signals received from each machine, which converts hundreds of spectra to analyze, especially in big plants, where one can find a large number of similar machines. The maintenance departments require few indicators properly hierarchied with the appropriate information necessary for each organizational level, without exceeding the type and amount of information required at the higher levels. It is therefore, necessary for an indicator to show the current vibratory condition of the entire plant, where trends can be easily understood by people, who are not expert in detailed vibration analysis of spectra. The trend shown by the indicator should assess the success of the implementation of CBM and other maintenance programs in the plant, and these parameters should be easily displayable. Therefore, maintenance managers need this kind of indicators and scorecards to measure through simple methods for the success of their departments for achieving contribution to the company goals.