Industry

Process equipment / Pump skids

Country

Germany

Software

ANSYS Mechanical · harmonic response module

Duration

2 weeks

Pump skid frame resonance investigation — 74% vibration reduction

The situation

A pump skid was experiencing excessive vibration at full operating load. The vibration was severe enough to affect instrumentation readings and raise concerns about the long-term fatigue life of connected pipework. The client had assumed the source was the pumps themselves and had ordered replacement units. Before the replacements arrived, a modal analysis was commissioned to verify the assumption.

What GFE did

GFE performed modal analysis of the skid frame structure and harmonic response analysis at the pump operating frequencies. The first bending mode of the frame was found at 48 Hz — within 3 Hz of the pump’s second-order excitation frequency, producing near-resonant amplification of the vibration. The pumps were not the source. GFE proposed targeted rib additions at specific frame locations to shift the first bending mode to 61 Hz, validated the modification in simulation, and the client welded the ribs in place. Post-modification field measurement confirmed a 74% reduction in vibration amplitude. The replacement pumps were returned.

Results

48 Hz

resonance identified

61 Hz

after modification

74%

vibration reduction

Pumps

returned

We had already ordered replacement pumps. The problem was the frame the whole time.

Why GFE for FEM and strength analysis

GFE works in ANSYS, Dlubal RFEM, SolidWorks Simulation, and LS-DYNA — matched to the analysis type and client environment.

GFE has resolved field failures where standard corrective measures had already been exhausted — identified through simulation.

Analysis reports are structured for CE technical files, insurance submissions, and TÜV review — not internal calculation notes.

All team members are fluent in English, with additional language skills in German, Italian, Spanish, and more.

Need a structural calculation or CE documentation support?

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Phone: +48 798 763 604

For general enquiries: info@gfe-solutions.com

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Phone: +38 098 237 0047

Our customers

Our company produces safety-relevant welding assemblies for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Due to the fact that it has become increasingly difficult to find good engineers and designers for our design department at our location in rural Münsterland, we set out at the end of 2018 to look for new external solutions in the service market.

 

Christian Menke

CEO V. KRANZ GmbH, Dülmen

I really appreciate GFE’s flexibility and openness for new challenges. They are not afraid to start a new journey.
If I think about the external circumstances of the project we started together, we reached a learning curve and relating results that I did personally not expect.

Daniel Ilge

Head of Technology & Product Management at WALDRICH COBURG GmbH

We required additional capacity and professional support for our R&D Team especially for a new product development.

And GFE Solutions offers capable support by very well-educated engineers. High professionalism. On time delivery and great communication (native German speakers).

Frank Pfister

CEO of CVS engineering GmbH

We are the company in constant need for plants for research or pilot projects of our clients. Last year we were working over the order in the field of medical technologies, which we succeeded to realize, including thanks to efforts of GFE Solutions team.

Dr. Thomas Bauer

Chief operating officer and member of the Board of DIENES Apparatebau GmbH

We were in need of help with our design department ressources and we had to move fast, internal ressources were not available and GFE was able to help quickly and competent. GFE works with dedication to the very needs of its customers, has a variety of specialists and has offered a fair price on a transparent basis.

Sebastian Schuelke

Managing Director at SICON GmbH

We were looking for additional engineers to expand our construction capacity. You seemed to be a young, motivated Team and except your professional expertise, your personal commitment made me confident to work with you. The cooperation has been seamless and very productive from the start. We are happy with the results.

Lukas Jochimek

Technical Manager at Schauenburg Maschinen- und Anlagen-Bau GmbH

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