Industrial Machine Noise
What is Machine Noise?
Industrial machine noise refers to the sound energy emitted by mechanical systems such as motors, compressors, gearboxes, fans, and pumps during normal or abnormal operation. These acoustic signals often contain rich information about the mechanical health, alignment, and efficiency of machinery.
Why?
Let Sound Reveal the Hidden Problems
Unaddressed machine noise can be an early warning of internal issues like wear, imbalance, misalignment, or fluid leakage. If ignored, it can lead to:
-
Unplanned downtime
-
Reduced equipment lifespan
-
Safety hazards for workers
-
Increased maintenance costs
-
Non-compliance with noise exposure standards
Listening to machines both literally and with precision instrumentation is key to transitioning from reactive to predictive maintenance.
Regulatory Compliance & Standards
In many industrial environments, excessive machine noise also poses occupational health risks. Regulatory bodies require strict adherence to noise exposure limits, including
-
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 – Occupational Noise Exposure
-
NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) – 85 dBA over 8 hours
-
ANSI S12.19 / ISO 9612 – Methods for evaluating occupational noise exposure
-
ISO 22096 – Noise emitted by rotating electrical machines
These standards require accurate measurement and traceable instrumentation, often certified under IEC 61672 and IEC 61260.
Industry Applications
Capture subtle sound pattern deviations before mechanical failures occur
Compliance
Measure noise exposure at operator locations or workstations
Predictive Maintenance
Detect early-stage bearing failure, gear misalignment, and motor wear
Design Testing
Evaluate new equipment for vibration or tonal noise
Noise Mapping
Localize noise sources in large facilities using acoustic imaging
Troubleshooting
Identify air leaks, vibrating panels, or loose fasteners
Our Solutions
Diagnose. Maintain. Optimize.
We provide a full toolkit for industrial acoustic diagnostics.
Personal Noise Dosimeters
We can provide Impact Hammer, designed for standardized impact sound insulation testing, compliance with ISO 10140. It features five aligned hammers, simulating real-world footstep noise and structure-borne sound transmission across floors.
Acoustic Imaging Cameras
Visualize sound sources in real time, even in noisy environments
Our Class 1 sound level meter delivers capability to conduct building acoustics assessment, including sound pressure levels, reverberation time, and frequency analysis.
Analysis Software
Perform frequency decomposition, event logging, and automatic fault detection
Get in touch
2570 N First St, 2nd Floor
San Jose, CA 95131
United States
+1 (408) 320-5333
+1 (570) 599-6642