December 2013 © SKF USA Inc.

Slide 1
1
Getting Around in the
AX-Series Microlog
Module objective

To introduce new AX 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.

December 2013 © SKF USA Inc. Slide 3

AX 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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 AX 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
CH1, CH2, CH3, and capabilities for CH2 and is not being supplied to the unit,
CH4 signal input CH3 signal input available for Trigger input.
channels channels

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AX Series - Microlog “application modules”

Application module
icons

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Application modules - overview
ROUTE Mode – for collecting and Idler Sound Monitor – performs acoustic
reviewing ROUTE measurements measurements for early detection of faults in
downloaded from SKF host software conveyor belt support and return idler rollers

Analyzer Mode – for collecting and Recorder Mode – records multi-channel raw
reviewing measurement data for POINTs not vibration signals (time waveforms) as
previously downloaded from @ptitude Microsoft Windows .wav audio files
Analyst software. Quickly set up
measurements and immediately collect the
measurement’s data for in-the-field analysis
purposes.

RUCD Mode – records and analyzes run up /

Balancing Mode – resolves single-plane, coast down data, intermittent events, and
two-plane, and static-couple balances with transient vibration signals from non steady
high precision state machinery

Spindle Test and Conformance Check – Sensor Setup Mode – provides a master
performs before-and-after type vibration level list of preconfigured sensors to reduce
tests for pass / fail conformance in accordance measurement setup time. You can add
with an appropriate ISO, ANSI, API or other sensors as required.
standard, including vibration level standards
defined by the user
Setup Mode – for setting your Microlog’s
system preferences

FRF – captures information about the

Frequency Response Function of the Multi-Channel – multi-channel measurements available from
structure being tested. The FRF data can be @ptitude Analyst and Analyzer Mode.
used in conjunction with a Modal Analysis
package to model the way the structure will
react to forces applied to it.

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 Application module icons – hide or show

You can select application module icons to hide (or

uninstall) from the main menu screen, if desired. Click
the Setup icon from the Main Menu, and then click
Modules to open the Module Manager screen.

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 Buttons and keypad

3 Enter Buttons – select

the highlighted option, or
Arrow Buttons – select progress through data
items on screens, left/right collection screens
arrows open/close setup
fields, control plot
cursor/display options

Power Button - Press to turn

6 Function Buttons – context on AX, press and hold two
sensitive, allow quick access to seconds to turn off AX
often used Microlog features
Shift Button - provides alternate
functions for the four function
Alphanumeric Keypad – buttons
input both numbers and
letters

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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
activity
• Press “shift” button (0 /
up arrow button) to current functions of
view additional function buttons

functions shift function button

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Arrow buttons

• Main screen – highlight

operating mode
• Setup screens – up/down to
highlight option; left/right to
open list of options
• Hierarchy items – left/right
to select ROUTE; up/down
to highlight; right to select
• Data display screens –
left/right to move spectrum’s
cursor; up/down to adjust
spectrum’s full-scale range up, down, left,
and right arrow
buttons

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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 Instrument Configuration screen for

System Settings Global Measurement Settings

December 2013 © SKF USA Inc. Slide 13

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

December 2013 © SKF USA Inc. Slide 15

Setup screen fields…

ROUTE Memory – Internal or Card

Timeout - 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, or Off
Default Units – English or Metric (e.g., in/sec or mm/sec)
Channel Setup – Individual or Copy to All (Applicable to modules that
support multi-channel measurements)
Input Range – Autorange, Maximum, or Sensor Units
Speed Measurement – Inactive, RPM, or Hz (Not applicable to the
ROUTE module)
Filter Entry – Stepwise or Free Entry (Not applicable to the ROUTE
module)

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Setup screen fields…

Trigger – Automatic or User (specify whether the trigger level is

set automatically by the Microlog or by the user)
Ext trig slope - + or –
Module ICP – Sensor Setting, Off, or Always On
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 screen fields…

Memory – -select cmd-, Delete All ROUTEs, or Initialize

-select cmd- - a placeholder; leave this option selected if you do
not wish to perform any Memory commands at this time.
Delete All ROUTEs - clears all ROUTEs from the Microlog’s
ROUTE hierarchy list. 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.

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Setup screen fields

ROUTE Font – Big or Small

Transducer Change – Do not warn or Warn
Bias Check – Manual or Automatic
Language - select language for AX Series Microlog displays

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Instrument Configuration fields…

Freq. Units – Hz, CPM, or Orders

Display Update – Single, Multiple, or Continuous
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
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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Instrument Configuration fields…

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

seconds is recommended
ROUTE ICP – Never, As Database or Automatic Most sensors contain
an internal amplifier that requires ICP, whereas some sensors do not
use ICP. Determine your ROUTE sensor’s needs and disable or
enable ICP.
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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Instrument Configuration fields…

Trigger – Manual or Visual

Manual – when set to Manual, you will enter the trigger level
in volts as numeric input in the Trigger Level setup field
Visual – Displays the Set Trigger screen that shows a
graphical representation of the tacho signal and trigger level
(horizontal cursor). Use the up and down arrow keys to
move the trigger cursor to the desired trigger level, and press
OK.
Trigger Level – enter the manual trigger level input; or displays
visual trigger level entry

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Instrument Configuration fields

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

Ask (Multiple 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.

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Sensor Setup module

The Sensor Setup module provides a master list of preconfigured sensors. You
may add sensors to the sensor list as required. When a module or application
requires a specific sensor, you simply select the preconfigured sensor to
significantly reduce measurement setup time.

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“Add Sensor” and “View Sensor” screens

You may add sensors to the You may view an existing sensor
sensor list as required. Press the configuration by pressing the
Add function button from the View function button from the
Sensor Setup screen. Sensor Setup screen.

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“Add Sensor” and “View Sensor” fields

Sensor – Enter the sensor’s unique name (that will identify the sensor
in the sensor list).
Sensor Family – Vibration or Process. Specify whether the sensor
measures Vibration data or plant Process data (i.e., temperature,
pressure, etc.).
Sensor Units – From the drop down list, select the measurement units
to use for the sensor’s measurements. This determines the type of
measurement the sensor takes. Displayed measurement units are
determined by the Sensor Family setting.
Sensor Sensitivity – Use the numeric keypad to enter the sensor’s
sensitivity.
ICP Power – On or Off. Select to turn ICP power Off or On for the
sensor.

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 In-the-field analysis features

H key - display Y-axis scaling

harmonic markers

+/- key – display

P key - jump to expansion /
next peak compression

“.” key – immed. toggle

T key – phase “tables ” between display
expansion and display
compression

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How to view POINT setup information

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Quick review

• Complete textbook’s review questions

• Review answers with class

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