Vibro-acoustic Modal Analysis of Motor Predictive Monitoring Sensor Enclosure Fabricated Using Additive Manufacturing

Vibro-acoustic sensors have been proven to be useful for the monitoring and maintenance of motors and equipment in the industry setting. These monitoring systems can immediately detect sound and vibration changes emitted by motors, which are established indicators of the equipment’s state. Through early detection of unusual behaviors in the motor, users will be notified, if necessary, preventive maintenance or repairs should be performed. The design of the acoustic sensor and its enclosure is critical in ensuring that the signals obtained are accurate and error-free. Moreover, the enclosure structure should not interfere with the sensors' ability to obtain signals while also providing adequate protection for the electronic components against water, dust, and other elements. In this study, a prototype of the enclosure for a vibro-acoustic sensing device was fabricated using additive manufacturing. Simulations such as vibroacoustic analysis via finite element analysis (FEA) method were carried out to evaluate the enclosure’s design with respect to vibration and acoustics. The actual working condition in the environment is around 200 Hz, in which the device was intended to be deployed, were taken into consideration in the simulation. The obtained resonance frequency suggests that the enclosure design is suitable. Comparison of the obtained simulated values with the actual experimental data is recommended for future studies.