Proximity Drivers

Metrix Vibration is the premier supplier of proximity drivers that can be digitally configured for all critical rotating and reciprocating machines, especially those machines with fluid film bearings. We work daily to maintain our 60+ year reputation by helping customers find and deploy the vibration monitoring system that meets their needs, including choosing individual components and proximity systems.

Why Choose Metrix as your Premier Supplier of Proximity Drivers?

Metrix Vibration’s equipment and experts serve operations in diverse fields, from Oil & Gas to Water and Wastewater Treatment and more. Any organization that uses large industrial machinery like motor pump combinations, turbines, generators, compressors, fans, and reciprocating compressors can benefit by keeping their staff and equipment safe with a comprehensive vibration detection system based on the Metrix digital proximity system.

Industries and applications for Metrix proximity drivers include:

• Refining
• Oil & Gas Pipelines
• Power Generation
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Public Works (water, electricity, and more)
• And more!

The MX2033 Driver can be ordered pre-configured for your exact application and if you need to change it in the field, you can do so using our free software and a mini-USB cable. The driver is field configurable and gives the user the ability to change probe types, system lengths from 1 to 12 meters, and numerous different common shaft material types. It can even work with unknown material types. In a phase trigger application, one can adjust the amplitude of the pulse after the probe has been installed using our free software.

What are Proximity Drivers?

A proximity driver is a sophisticated device that functions as the heart and brain of a high-end proximity sensor system. The Metrix oscillator demodulator can be digitally configured in the field for different material types, probe types, and target materials. These proximity systems not only detect excess vibration and resonance, but they can also help operators diagnose machine problems.

These systems protect your critical equipment from undue wear and tear and help prevent production losses. The best industrial equipment monitoring functions as security for your entire site. When operators, technicians, and engineers have enough warning to respond to abnormal patterns, they stand a much better chance of diffusing threats before they have a chance to endanger workers, machinery, and production.

Proximity drivers work with the probe and cable that they’re attached to, creating a precision system that can measure position, vibration and speed changes based on the system length, probe type, and shaft target material. The Metrix Digital Proximity System is easy to order and, if necessary, easy to configure in the field.

Benefits of the Metrix Proximity System

At Metrix, our conditioning monitoring offers the following benefits for industrial sites:

• Reliability: Proximity drivers play a critical role in more than just alarms and shutdown signals. The patterns in vibration signals can help operators schedule maintenance, ensuring that it occurs before machinery must be shut down or replaced.
• Cost-savings: When equipment is tied into the production process, the cost of the production losses can far outweigh the cost of the machine. Replacing a worn bearing may be costly, however, if the bearing issue causes the machine to shut down, the production losses can be severe and far outweigh the cost of the machine. It’s far better to fix the bearing when it needs to be replaced, when maintenance can be scheduled and production losses minimized. That’s what vibration monitoring, using proximity probes, does for you.
• Better predictions: The proximity probes observe the shaft’s surface and are not impeded by the fluid dampening mechanism that is found in the fluid film bearing. By actually looking at the shaft, or rotor, one can know the position of the rotor within the bearing clearance and the vibratory behavior. Even when the casing is moving, the shaft relative information is still valuable to determine what’s actually happening within the machine.
• Safety: When using fluid film bearings, proximity sensors are used to show the actual movement of the shaft. If casing sensors are used, in lieu of proximity probes, the shaft’s movement must impact the casing for the casing sensor to sense high vibration levels. This can be detrimental to the plant, production and people. Proximity sensors provide the early warning to keep the plant safe.

In addition to the cost-savings and safety benefits, Metrix proximity drivers are also flexible enough to work with your current systems. Our engineers understand that all industries function differently, which is why our products can be tailored to an array of industrial applications. This includes accounting for the natural increase in vibration during equipment startup, so there are no false alerts for normal resonance as a machine powers on. The precision and accuracy of our proximity drivers ensure that when the alarms are sounded, you know that action is necessary.

The Metrix proximity system can work with any monitor rack that accepts 200 mV/mil (7.87 mV/µm) or 100 mV/mil (3.93 mV/µm) proximity sensors. It is proven to work with multiple different manufacturers that produce monitor rack Vibration Monitoring Systems (VMS).

Metrix Proximity Drivers

If you have questions about Metrix Vibration and our line of high-end proximity drivers or other proximity detection and vibration sensing systems, contact us today. We have been leaders in the vibration detection industry since founder Peter J. Sundt established himself as a pioneer in early seismic detection in the 1960s. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to speak with you about your operation and to help you develop an end-to-end vibration detection system.

A quality assurance program that includes a network of vibration sensors and proximity drivers from Metrix may be one of the best investments you ever make in your business. Our vibration monitoring systems can employ our cutting-edge proximity drivers to save your expensive machinery from wear and tear — or even save your workers' lives — by detecting system issues before they become critical failures. The Metrix Vibration philosophy is to use simple, affordable components to build comprehensive vibration monitoring systems that quickly pay for themselves in the form of reduced machinery downtime and increased safety.

Contact our main Houston offices today to learn about our line of proximity drivers, proximity transmitters, vibration sensors, seismic measurement components, and related equipment. We look forward to helping you design and implement a safer, more efficient vibration monitoring system for your operation.