Predictive maintenance has a variety of positive attributes, but it requires a commitment and resources from the organization to make it work.
“The trick is finding the numbers that the C-Suite is following, such as production revenue, and then building a case with those numbers in mind”, says Terrence Cullen, director of field services for Azima DLI. “If the C-suite isn’t following MTBF or reduced parts inventory or repair cost, don’t waste your time trying to justify your program based on those numbers.”
Azima DLI provides a list of the top 10 ways PdM can have a positive effect on the spreadsheet. It can help your plant to:
- Avoid late shipments/lost opportunity
- Be safer — planned work is safer than emergency or breakdown stops and restarts
- Prevent environmental damage/regulatory violations — risk mitigation
- Mitigate the experienced worker shortage — you don’t need as many of those guys around all the time in case of a breakdown
- Avoid downtime/lost production
- Catch degradation in output level or quality before it drops too far
- Reduce repair time — have skills, parts, tools and information planned and ready, avoid overtime
- Reduce consequential damages to other things that get wrecked when you run to failure
- Avoid utility penalty charges
- Eliminate distractions to production workers — unplanned breakdowns result in confusion, tension, loss of morale, lost productivity.
“When a user can zero in on bad actors, when they can maximize the predictive diagnostics information in the plant, they find opportunities for improved maintenance and operations practices,” says Dan Stedham, asset optimization (AO) services global program manager, operational excellence/AO services marketing manager — Emerson Process Management.
In Europe, building materials manufacturers, food & beverage, automotive, pulp and paper, and the chemical industry require reliable production, explains Michael Herbort, business development for service in Germany for SEW-Eurodrive. “Especially in Germany,” he says, “there’s a big focus on the production.”
Azima DLI's ExpertALERT 3.40 machinery condition assessment software allows manufacturers to prioritize machine repairs
Azima DLI's ExpertALERT 3.40 machinery condition assessment software is engineered to allow manufacturers to prioritize machine repairs while remaining focused on reliability and uptime priorities based on the ability to collect and process data, and access results through the Azima DLI Watchman Reliability Portal.
Pepperl+Fuchs' FieldConnex Diagnostic Gateway enhances inter-operation between individual advanced diagnostic modules
Pepperl+Fuchs' FieldConnex Diagnostic Gateway is engineered to enhance inter-operation between the individual advanced diagnostic modules (ADM) of a fieldbus infrastructure and the diagnostic manager in the control room. It is designed to allow information to be exchanged in both directions via Ethernet, enabling additional features such as remote setup of ADMs. Advanced diagnostic modules are engineered to monitor the quality of fieldbus communication for Foundation fieldbus H1 and Profibus PA networks.
Commtest's Ranger condition monitoring system can be built as an entirely wireless installation
Commtest's Ranger is a permanent condition monitoring system that is designed to be built as an entirely wireless installation. Ranger’s wireless capability is engineered to combine the benefits of a traditional wired module with the flexibility to move wireless sensors to provide information where it’s most needed.
The SDT270 ultrasound instrument offers customization with the opportunity to upgrade
The SDT270 is a portable ultrasound instrument designed for reliability and PdM professionals. An onboard SQL database is engineered to capture and manage survey data in the field and synchronize with PC data. The SDT270 Platform is designed to give customization with the opportunity to upgrade as the program grows.
Alignment Supplies' Easy-Laser E710 wireless shaft alignment system offers Bluetooth operation
Alignment Supplies' Easy-Laser E710 wireless shaft alignment system offers wireless Bluetooth operation, color graphics and Endurio Power Management. The E710 utilizes Alignment Supplies' Values live-data program, which is designed to test a machine foundation for flatness, check for bearing play and monitor real-time measurement of changes in machine position.
Agilent's U1270 Series handheld digital multimeters feature low impedance modes and low-pass filtering
The Agilent U1270 Series handheld digital multimeters (DMMs) are designed to allow engineers and technicians to make faster, more accurate measurements. The DMMs include capabilities such as low impedance mode to eliminate stray voltages, and low-pass filtering to remove noise that distorts voltage and current readings.
Flir's i5 IR camera offers improved infrared image quality with 2% thermal accuracy
The Flir i5 IR camera is engineered to diagnose problems, improve efficiency and ensure worker safety. Engineered to be ergonomically lightweight, the thermal imager is designed to offer improved infrared image quality with 2% thermal accuracy, a 2.8-inch color display and 80x80 pixel resolution. The Flir i5 also offers a center-spot measurement mode.
PdMA's MCEMax performs online (dynamic) and offline (static) testing
PdMA's MCEMax is designed to perform online (dynamic) and offline (static) testing. The tester is engineered to monitor all potential fault zones and allow for immediate notification of alarming conditions. The MCEMax is designed to integrate testing, diagnostics, inventory control, scheduling and cost containment.
SPM Instrument's SPM HD measuring technique helps users identify weaker, yet relevant, signals
The SPM HD measuring technique is designed to be used in all types of applications, including low-speed machinery. By combining the True SPM method with a digital technique, SPM HD is engineered to identify the weaker, yet relevant, signals that are hidden amongst the stronger signals caused by mechanical shock phenomena or electronic noise.
Balmac's Model 4216 Vibration Analyzer features an LED strobe light for vibration analysis and dynamic balancing
Balmac's Model 4216 Vibration Analyzer with an LED strobe light is designed for vibration analysis and dynamic balancing applications. Using the 4216, operators can troubleshoot rotating machinery vibration problems such as defective bearings, looseness, misalignment, worn drive belts, bent shafts, structural resonance and unbalance. The hand-held LED strobe light is designed to provide accurate machinery speed and relative phase measurements.
UE Systems' Ultraprobe 15,000 Touch ultrasonic detection system utilizes touchscreen technology
The Ultraprobe 15,000 Touch from UE Systems is designed to provide plant inspection professionals the ability to use touchscreen technology to analyze conditions with a range of on-board features, including the ability to take equipment temperature with an infrared thermometer; photograph test points with an on-board camera; select from multiple data screens including dB, temperature and spectral analysis; pinpoint locations with a laser pointer; store data, sounds and images; generate reports; review historical record data; plan/review routes; review alarm groups for planning corrective actions; and adjust emissivity.
Ludeca's Rotalign Ultra Live Trend offers real-time measurement of positional changes between coupled machines
Rotalign Ultra Live Trend, a short-term continuous monitoring application, is designed to determine the relative positional changes between coupled machines during run-up or shut-down. It utilizes the Rotalign five-axis sensor to monitor continuously, in real-time and simultaneously both the vertical and horizontal parallel and angular displacement of rotating machinery, from cold to hot condition or vice versa.
Fluke's Ti32 Thermal Imager enables pixel-by-pixel alignment of both infrared and visible images
Fluke's Ti32 Thermal Imager is designed to deliver improved performance for troubleshooting and preventive maintenance of electrical installations, electro-mechanical equipment, process equipment, HVAC/R equipment and more. The Fluke Ti32 incorporates a 320x240 sensor to provide detailed images. Using Fluke’s IR-Fusion technology, users can marry thermal images with visual (visible light) images in full screen, picture-in-picture or blended views.
Testo's 876 and 882 thermal imagers increase security in both industrial and building thermography
The Testo 876 and 882 thermal imagers are designed to increase security in both industrial and building thermography. The Testo 882 features <32.1º F NETD sensitivity, voice recording, a telephoto lens and an integrated digital camera. The Testo 882 is equipped with a Dynamic Motor Focus that is designed to allow one-hand operation of the imager.
