Feature

Condition monitoring evolution drives machine performance and reliability improvements

With more advanced condition monitoring technology at their disposal, today’s maintenance and operations teams can spend less time collecting data and more time acting on it. Phil Burge, PR and Brand Awareness Manager at SKF, charts progress in this economically crucial area of industrial improvement.

01/05/2020 16:01:19

In most manufacturing and processing operations, the approach to plant asset management moved long ago from reactive to preventative maintenance. Instead of carrying out repairs in the aftermath of machine failure, regular checks and interventions are now scheduled. Based on asset condition monitoring, the success of predictive maintenance has been its use of insights – gained from the collection and analysis of machine data – to improve plant operations and reduce unplanned stoppages.

Intuitive to automated monitoring

While technicians previously depended largely on human senses to detect changes in temperature, vibration, lubricant condition, and other operating parameters, much greater sensitivity and accuracy are now possible. This is largely thanks to purpose-developed, hand-held measuring instruments. These are applied manually during routine walk-through inspections. For more sophisticated and time-saving monitoring, sensors can be permanently installed on the machinery to gather data automatically and transmit it across a network.

Read the full article in the May issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.