Abstract
Radian Corporation has developed extensive data display capabilities to analyze vibration and acoustic data from structures and rotating equipment. The Machinery Interactive Display and Analysis System (MIDAS) displays data collected through the acquisition functions of MIDAS. The graphics capabilities include displaying spectra in three-dimensional waterfall and in X-Y formats. Both types of plots can relate vibrations to time, equipment speed, or process parameters. Using menu-driven parameter selection, data can be displayed in formats that are the most useful for analysis.
The system runs on a popular mini-computer, and it can be used with a great variety of graphics terminals, workstations, and printer/plotters. The software was designed and written for interactive display and plotting. Automatic plotting of large data files is facilitated by a batch plotting mode. The user can define display formats for the analysis of noise and vibration problems in the electric utility, chemical processing, paper, and automotive industries. This paper describes the history and development of graphics capabilities of the MIDAS system. The system, as illustrated in the examples, has proven efficient and economical for displaying large quantities of data.