Studies on rolling sound (1st report, fundamental characteristics of sound)

Rolling motion is one cause of sound produced mechanically. Rolling sound may cause serious problems when it exceeds a certain level in machines and structures. A series of studies was carried out in order to obtain basic information for the reduction of the rolling sound. This first report concerns the fundamental characteristics of the rolling sound at one point of the underside of a horizontal square steel plate simply supported at four points when a ball rolls on the plate. Nylon and steel balls with different diameters were rolled at various rolling velocities on the plate, and the rolling sound and the vibration of the plate were simultaneously measured. These signals were analyzed by a FFT analyzer. As a result, the fundamental characteristics of the rolling sound were clarified.