Condition Monitoring Archives

Condition Monitoring

Define and Measure KPIs and Goals for Condition Based Maintenance

Condition based maintenance offers a large array of benefits if done correctly. It is not enough however to know we are doing a good job. We have to be clear about our goals and we have to be clear about how we are going to measure if we are meeting our goals or not. There are all sorts of fancy software platforms with dashboards that can help us define and measure KPIs, and track and visualize them, but we have to actually use them!

Condition Monitoring

The Integrity Test Advantage

Integrity Testing is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance for Plate and Tubular Heat Exchangers in sanitary processing environments. This process allows for the early identification of potential leaks and failures, serving as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly form of preventive maintenance.  

Condition Monitoring

What is a Shaft Centerline Diagram?

A shaft centerline diagram is a plot used in the vibration analysis of journal bearings. It is also called a shaft average centerline diagram. The purpose of this graph is to display the average position of the rotor in the bearing. In short, for different bearing types, there is an expected or “normal” position of the shaft in the bearing. If this position changes, it can indicate a problem.

Condition Monitoring

Does Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) Improve Reliability?

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance strategy that focuses on monitoring the condition of equipment to determine when maintenance actions should be performed. While CBM can be effective in reducing unplanned downtime and optimizing maintenance activities, it alone does not address the root causes of failure and may not lead to long-term improvements in machine reliability. Here are a few reasons why CBM, on its own, may not improve reliability.

Condition Monitoring

Diagnosing a Bent Shaft

Diagnosing a bent shaft with vibration analysis is easy to do, especially when you can visualize its movement using 3D animations. Vibration patterns for different faults can look similar to each other. This is why it is always best to start with the machine, consider what faults are most likely and then take data in the proper test points and axes to find the most likely faults. It can get complicated, but 3D animations make it easier to visualize what is going on.

Condition Monitoring

Harmonics and Sidebands

In a recent article I talked about linear and nonlinear systems and how the output of these systems contain frequencies, such as harmonics and sidebands, that are not in the inputs. In this article I want to share a short video I made with my signal processing simulator that demonstrates the concepts. You will want to watch the video with the sound on.

Condition Monitoring

Why Condition Based Maintenance Should Be Considered a Critical Component of Any Business’s Asset Maintenance Strategy

In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and burgeoning data, industries are constantly seeking methods to enhance efficiency, minimize downtime, and optimize asset utilization. One such method that has emerged at the forefront is Condition Based Maintenance (CBM); a sophisticated, data-driven approach to asset maintenance.

Condition Monitoring

Common Mechanisms of Failure & Preventive Methods

Why do components fail? – This article explains common failure mechanisms, component types to which each applies, and suggests non-intrusive monitoring techniques to discover components in various stages of progressive failure.

Condition Monitoring

Gaps in Your Electric Motor Reliability Program

Costly oversights occur repeatedly despite thoughtful planning dedicated to maximizing the operation and lifespan of the motor. One unsettling realization is that testing, considered part and parcel of preventive maintenance, is not preventing anything because there is nothing to indicate that analyzing the data was even considered. This is a major pitfall and a classic example of a gap in a company’s motor management program.