RotatePlus is a very capable program with many special features for the analysis of rotating and reciprocating machinery and equipment. Rotate functions in the Windows environment, so most people are already familiar with the ergonomics of the program. In the following collection of screen shots you will visit Rotate's four analysis capabilities: 

• Tachometer Analysis
• Torsional Analysis
• Waterfall Calculation
• Computed Order Tracking

and look at some of the spectacular graphics features of RotatePlus:

• 2D Plotting with Cursoring
• 3D Waterfall plotting with advanced cursoring
• Color Contour and intensity plotting with advanced cursoring
• Manipulating graphics for better effect
• Deriving RPM from a Waterfall Millstrum displays (cepstrum related)
• Bearing Cursors Sideband cursors
• Inserting graphics in reports

General transient phenomena can be visualized as functions of time and frequency, and are shown by Rotate as waterfalls and color contour plots (spectrograms). Rotate2.5 gets really interesting, though, when you add RPM information to the analysis for harmonics and order phenomena.

With Rotate2.5, the foundation for all the order related analysis is Tachometer Analysis. The Tachometer Analysis function computes raw or initial estimates of a machine's instantaneous rotating speed by utilizing sampled analog data from a DC or pulse tach type sensor. With pulse tach data, Rotate2 computes an initial estimate by measuring the time between pulses. 

Next, a series of cubic splines - which enforce continuity at their boundaries - are used to develop a smooth estimate of the machine's rotating speed (1 to 99 in number). A unique technology can then be employed which allows the removal of "outliers" from the raw estimate and the spline fit is then reevaluated. This technology allows noisy tachometer signals or even tachometer signals with pulse dropouts to be used- and obviates the need for manual tachometer repair.

Tach Data and Zoom

Below is a typical display of data from a pulse tach. It represents a 17.0 second period in which a car, which is being tested, runs up and idles down.

Rotate supports many different functions, one of which is a "ZOOM" feature for when you want to look closely at smaller sections of a graphical plot. This feature is easily activated with a right mouse click on the data. A cross hair appears on the plot, and you can enclose the desired graphical section in a box, as below. Utilizing a right mouse click is a familiar process for Windows users. ATA's software is ergonomically like Windows, making the user feel right at home. Below you see a plot of the 2.1 second section of the above time history which was selected to "zoom-in" on.

It's much easier to see the individual tach pulses- and an excellent way to check on the quality of your tachometer signal.

We will take this signal and submit it to Rotate's Tachometer Analysis. The Tachometer Analysis function will create a smooth splined speed curve which can then be combined with data taken by any meaningful transducer to create Rotate's advanced graphics.

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