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Microlog
Getting Around in the
GX-Series Microlog

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Module objective

To introduce new GX Series users to the basics of how to get around in

the Microlog system and on how to set the Microlog’s “system”
settings and “global measurement” parameters.

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GX Series – Data collector system overview

• Lightweight, portable, multi-

channel, ROUTE based data
acquisition and storage terminal
• Collects machinery vibration,
temperature, and other condition
monitoring measurements.
• Allows for detailed machine
condition analyses in harsh
industrial environment

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 GX Series - Microlog connections

USB Host Connector – Provides

USB keyboard support, input
capabilities for a CH4 signal input
channel, and headphone support

Power - Connect to Power

CH1 – Channel 1, Supply/Battery Charger and/or
input capabilities for CH2 – Channel 2, input USB splitter cable. When power is
CH1, CH2, CH3, and capabilities for CH2 and not being supplied to the unit,
CH4 signal input CH3 signal input channels available for Trigger input.
channels

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GX Series - Microlog “application modules”

* * *

Application module icons

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Application modules - overview
ROUTE Mode – for collecting and reviewing RUCD Mode (field upgrade) – records and
ROUTE measurements downloaded from SKF analyzes run up / coast down data, intermittent
host software events, and transient vibration signals from non
steady state machinery

Non ROUTE Mode – for collecting and FRF (field upgrade) – captures information
reviewing measurement data for POINTs not about the Frequency Response Function of the
previously downloaded from @ptitude Analyst structure being tested. The FRF data can be used
software in conjunction with a Modal Analysis package to
model the way the structure will react to forces
applied to it
Setup Mode – for setting your Microlog’s system
preferences Spindle Test and Conformance Check (field
upgrade) – performs before-and-after type
vibration level tests for pass / fail conformance in
accordance with an appropriate ISO, ANSI, API
or other standard, including vibration level
Balancing Mode – resolves single-plane, two- standards defined by the user.
plane, and static-couple balances with high
precision

Idler Sound Monitor (field upgrade) – performs

Bump Test Mode (-S only) – determines the acoustic measurements for early detection of
natural frequencies of a machine or a structure faults in conveyor belt support and return idler
rollers.

Analyzer Mode (field upgrade) - allows you to

quickly set up spectral/phase measurements and
immediately collect the measurement’s data for in-the-
Recorder Mode (-S only) – records multi- field FFT spectrum and phase analysis purposes.
channel raw vibration signals (time waveforms)
as Microsoft Windows .wav audio files
Multi-Channel – multi-channel measurements available from @ptitude Analyst
and non-ROUTE / Orbit and non-ROUTE/ User defined meas. Modes.

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 Buttons and keypad

LCD Indicators – show

measurement status during data
collection

2 Enter Buttons – select the

Arrow Buttons – select items highlighted option, or progress
on screens, left/right arrows through data collection screens
open/close setup fields,
control plot cursor/display
options 4 Function Buttons – context
sensitive, allow quick access to
often used Microlog features
Alphanumeric Keypad – input
both numbers and letters
Power Button - Press to turn on
GX, press and hold two seconds to
turn off GX
Decimal Key (.) – displays
battery status Shift Button - provides alternate
functions for the four function
buttons

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 Function buttons

• Press function buttons to

execute commands represented
above each button
• Commands are context
sensitive, they update
depending on screen activitycurrent functions of function
buttons
• Press “shift” button (0 / up
arrow button) to view
additional functions
shift function button

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 Entering Letters from Keypad

• To input letters, repeatedly press

the number key representing the
specific letter 2, 3, or 4 times
• For example, for B, press the 2
key 3 times (2-A-B); this works
in a similar manner to a cell
phone’s text entry capability
• To enter a blank space, press the
0 key twice

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 Two general “setup” screens

Setup mode for

System Settings Configuration screen for
Global Measurement Settings

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Setup mode - “system” settings

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Setup screen fields
available
settings
• Right arrow to open field
• Up/Down arrow to select new
setting
• Left arrow, or Enter button to
accept change and close field

apply new
settings

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 “Setup” fields…

ROUTE Memory – Internal, or Card

Timeout - 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, or Off
IrDA – for use with ActiveSync operations
Enable – use an IrDA (infrared) connection to PC
Disable – use a USB connection to PC

Baud Rate - The specified baud rate must match the host computer’s Baud Rate setting
in your @ptitude Analyst software.
Default Units – English or Metric (e.g., in/sec or mm/sec)
Date Format – DD/MM/YYYY; MM/DD/YYYY; YYYY/MM/DD
Time Zone – for use with ActiveSync operations
Date / Time - set current date and time

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“Setup” fields

Memory – Delete All ROUTEs or Initialize

Delete All ROUTEs - preserves your system preferences, but deletes ROUTE and
non-ROUTE measurements and data.
Initialize - erases all stored data, but preserves the system settings and parameters
and also refreshes the active memory if the Microlog is experiencing memory
related problems.
ROUTE Font – Big or Small

Language - select language for GX Series Microlog displays

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 “Config” fields…

Freq. Units – Hz, CPM, or Orders

Fast Averaging – On or Off
On – display is updated as often as possible
Off – only final averaged spectrum displays
Auto Advance – On or Off (display spectrum during ROUTE
collection)
On – quickly advance through ROUTE data collection without displaying
spectral results
Off – display the resulting spectrum for each spectral measurement

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 “Config” fields…

Acquisition – Single Shot or Continuous (stop measurements after

averaging process, or repeat measurements until Enter is pressed)
Continuous only available if Fast Averaging is On.

Autoranging – Conservative, Aggressive, or Fixed

Conservative – slower data collection, with higher quality data
Aggressive – provides faster data collection, with greater potential for settling error
Fixed – no autoranging is performed. Input range fixed according to the transducer
type and sensitivity

Machine Speed – Normal, Slow, or Auto

Normal – select for measurements on shafts rotating at or above 600 RPM
Slow – select if ski slope or settling problems occur on shafts rotating below 600 RPM
Auto – Select to have the Microlog automatically select Normal or Slow depending on
the POINT’s speed setting specified in @ptitude Analyst.

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 “Config” fields…

Settling Delay – if ski slope problems occur, a settling delay of 2 or 3 seconds

is recommended (GX-R – 5 seconds)
ROUTE ICP – Never, Always or Automatic (specified for your sensor, disable
or enable sensor ICP)
Trigger Level – Automatic or Fixed
Fixed – for ROUTE POINTs, always 2 V and expecting a TTL trigger. For non-
ROUTE POINTs, setting in the non-ROUTE mode’s User setup screen applies
Automatic – for both ROUTE and non-ROUTE POINTs, the Microlog examines
the trigger signal and automatically sets the trigger level to the signal’s mid-point

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 “Config” fields

Hist. Data Collect – Always Append, Always Overwrite, or Always Ask.

(Mulitple measurements collected on same POINT.)
Always Append – New data for a POINT is appended to existing data. Previous
measurements become part of a historical data file that can be reviewed and uploaded to
@ptitude Analyst.
Always Overwrite – New data that is collected overwrites the existing data, ensuring that
only the most recent measurement is retained.
Always Ask – Each time a measurement is taken for a POINT that has historical data, a
prompt appears asking whether you wish to append or overwrite the current
measurement.

View MPA Spectrum – First, Last, All, or None.

First – Displays the first MPA POINT in a spectrum.
Last – Displays the last MPA POINT in a spectrum.
All – Displays all MPA POINTs in a spectrum.
None – Does not display a spectrum.

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 In-the-field analysis features

H key - display
harmonic markers
Y-axis scaling

P key - jump to
next peak +/- key – display
expansion /
compression

T key – phase “tables ”

“.” key – immed. toggle
between display expansion
and display compression

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Quick review

• Complete textbook’s review questions

• Review answers with class

24-03-12 ©SKF Slide 22 [Code]

SKF [Organization]

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