Vibration analysis course for motors
Online course of 300 hours in engine vibration analysis: 6 modules covering rotor dynamics, sources of vibration in engines, measurement and acquisition, signal processing and diagnosis, balancing and maintenance, and a vibration analysis project, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand rotor dynamics as applied to aircraft engines.
Identify the main sources of vibration in engines.
Design vibration measurement and acquisition chains.
Apply signal processing techniques for diagnosis.
Perform single- and two-plane balancing.
Define alarm criteria and fleet trends.
Carry out a complete vibration analysis of an engine or test rig.
Who it's for
- Vibration analysts looking to specialise in aircraft engines.
- Rotor dynamics engineers.
- Engine maintenance engineers who handle vibration alarms and balancing.
- Engine test engineers.
- Condition monitoring engineers working with rotating machinery.
- Balancing technicians who want a stronger analytical foundation.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join engine manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- ISO 20816-1:2016 (measurement and evaluation of machine vibration – general guidelines)
- ISO 20816-4:2018 (vibration of gas turbines with fluid-film bearings)
- SAE ARP1839A (aircraft turbine engine vibratory conditions)
- ISO 21940-11:2016 (balancing of rotors with rigid behaviour)
- ISO 13373-1:2002 (vibration condition monitoring of machines)
- ISO 18436-2:2014 (qualification of vibration condition monitoring personnel)
- EASA CS-E 650 (engine vibration surveys)
- 14 CFR 33.83 (engine vibration test)
- MATLAB
- Siemens Simcenter Testlab
- Bently Nevada System 1
- MADYN 2000
- Python with SciPy
6 modules
1.1Jeffcott rotor models1.2Critical speeds and Campbell diagrams1.3Gyroscopic effects in rotors1.4Rolling-element bearings and squeeze-film dampers1.5Support stiffness and damping1.6Rotordynamic instabilities due to internal friction1.7Flexible rotors and bending modes1.8Shaft coupling in multi-spool engines1.9Rotordynamic finite element models1.10Case study: Campbell diagram of a shaft
2.1Mass unbalance2.2Misalignment and looseness2.3Bearing defects2.4Reduction gearbox gears2.5Blade vibration and flutter2.6Blade-passing excitation2.7Rotor–stator rubs2.8Blade loss and extreme loads2.9Aerodynamically induced vibrations2.10Workshop: identifying bearing defect frequencies
3.1High-temperature piezoelectric accelerometers3.2Velocity and proximity sensors3.3Sensor location on casings3.4Tachometers and phase reference3.5Signal conditioning and filtering3.6Sampling frequency and aliasing3.7On-board monitoring systems3.8Non-contact blade measurement (tip timing)3.9Calibration and verification of measurement chains3.10Lab: vibration acquisition on a rotor test rig
4.1Spectral analysis with FFT4.2Order analysis and tracking4.3Time-synchronous averaging4.4Envelope analysis4.5Cepstrum and sideband analysis4.6Time–frequency analysis and wavelets4.7Bode plots and orbits4.8Typical fault signatures4.9Severity criteria and alarms4.10Practical exercise: diagnosing unbalance with order analysis
5.1Single- and two-plane balancing5.2Influence coefficients5.3On-wing fan balancing5.4Balance quality grades5.5Manufacturer vibration limits5.6Vibration tests in certification5.7Fleet vibration trends5.8Inspections triggered by alarms5.9Lessons from vibration-related incidents5.10Case study: fan balancing with flight data
6.1Engine or test rig under study6.2Simplified rotordynamic model6.3Measurement and sensor plan6.4Data acquisition and processing6.5Diagnosis of vibration sources6.6Proposed correction6.7Recommended alarm criteria6.8Technical report of results6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Siemens Simcenter Testlab, Bently Nevada System 1, MADYN 2000 and Python with SciPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for vibration acquisition on rotor test rigs, diagnosis using spectral and order analysis, and fan balancing with flight data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 20816-1:2016, ISO 20816-4:2018, SAE ARP1839A, ISO 21940-11:2016, ISO 13373-1:2002, ISO 18436-2:2014, EASA CS-E 650, 14 CFR 33.83
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, Siemens Simcenter Testlab, Bently Nevada System 1, MADYN 2000, Python with SciPy, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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