Track 02 · Machinery Diagnostics

Machinery Fault Diagnosis 101

Name the fault from its fingerprint in the spectrum.

14 lessons Self-paced 25-question exam Badge: Machinery Diagnostics

Releasing 16 Aug 2026 Back to catalog

Releasing 16 Aug 2026 — the lesson opens on release day.

What you'll leave knowing

Outcomes for this primer.

Short, interactive and self-paced. Every idea is shown with a live instrument, then checked in the exam.

Diagnose against a machine's own healthy baseline.

Match spectral fingerprints to unbalance, misalignment, looseness and more.

Spot bearing and resonance signatures, and belt/coupling faults.

Turn a diagnosis into an action with ISO 20816 severity.

The curriculum

14 lessons, in order.

Each lesson is one focused screen — a concept, an interactive graphic, and a plain-language read. Climb the chain, then sit the exam.

Re-anchor · the ruler

One word this whole course rests on: the order (and 1× = running speed).

The mindset

Diagnose by comparing to the machine's own healthy baseline.

Fault 1 · unbalance

Unbalance: a heavy spot pulls once per turn → a dominant 1×.

Fault 2 · misalignment

Misalignment: coupled shafts fight → a strong 2×, often axial.

Fault 3 · looseness

Mechanical looseness: a rattle chops the wave → many harmonics + a raised noise floor.

Fault 4 · bent shaft

Bent shaft: a bow gives 1× and 2×, strong in the axial direction.

Fault 5 · soft foot

Soft foot: one foot not seated, so the frame flexes.

Fault 6 · rolling-element bearings

Bearings: sharp taps at non-round, non-synchronous orders (envelope teaser).

Fault 7 · resonance

Resonance: it amplifies whatever excites it — the peak that won't move with speed.

Fault 8 · belts & couplings

Belt & coupling faults: slow sub-1× taps, and worn-coupling harmonics.

Put it together

A full spectrum read: cause → effect, step by step.

How urgent?

Severity via ISO 20816 — turn the diagnosis into an action.

Build the skill safely

Make each fault on purpose — then take it to the plant.

Recap

Every fault, and its fingerprint — on one page.

Finish all 14 lessons and pass the 25-question exam to earn your completion certificate — issued on the spot.

Where it fits

Part of the Machinery Diagnostics badge.

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A primer — not ISO 18436 certification

TIERA 101 gives you working fundamentals. It is not equivalent to, nor a substitute for, ISO 18436 Category I–IV vibration-analyst certification.

TIERA's formal ISO 18436 Category I–IV programme is separate and paid. Ask us about the certified track when you're ready to go pro.