September 2019

Focus on: Remote Maintenance Monitoring Maintenance Matters Monit The Ro Sys oring onic U tr RM– tem niversal S f l il hwyn, aytilibaliava atad c Minortor Raludoe mhT tnenmoirvn egrotinoM in k o . Rsecive f d y oteira n a v d on, aere efree phs t S iM m – R etsyg Snirotino iuqer yrtsud iny an innsoitidno cal i h i nemeriuqer ruol yl t aee n mac c inort n floitallatsns iedivor t p . Inoitulot sc s muounitnod cetargetny i llu s a f er /k i gnitaroprocn, ist llud fny atilibixe .metsyg snirotino arar posrosnee sptum ROTRONIC Instruments (UK) n ae c . Wrowtee nruce n a s s oretem Ltd, Crompton Fields, Crawley, West Sus rot .ww w . metsye srtne e e tcvres sex RH10 9EE T: 01293 571000, instrume smr u.oc.cnro nts@rotronic.co.uk A PST Company (www.processsensing.com ) ultrasound to your condition monitoring programme, the decision ultimately depends on what assets you would like to monitor. Once you have determined the assets that you would like to monitor, you need to identify the failure modes related to those assets. Understanding how those assets will fail will help you to determine which condition monitoring tool can be applied to find those failure modes. Ultrasound is a proven technology that can detect certain mechanical and electrical faults much sooner than other technologies. By sensing subtle changes in ultrasonic amplitude, ultrasound is adept at finding early stage premature bearing faults. Ultrasound plays a critical role in helping to extend the life of bearings in the I-P interval by condition lubrication of bearings. Studies have shown that the majority of premature bearing failures can be attributed to lubrication. Whether it’s over-lubrication, under-lubrication, using the wrong grease for the wrong application, mixing incompatible greases, or lubricant contamination, all of it comes back to improper grease application. Ultrasound can prevent over- and under-lubrication, thus potentially eliminating a large number of bearing failures. When a bearing lacks lubrication, there is an increase in friction. The higher friction also increases how much ultrasonic noise the bearing produces, indicated by a rise in the decibel (dB) level. While greasing a bearing that is need of lubrication, one should see a gradual decrease in the dB level. Once the dB level has fallen back to a normal or baseline level, greasing can be ceased. If the bearing already has a sufficient amount of grease when greasing, then the dB level will slowly begin to rise as more grease is applied. That’s because over-lubrication also increases friction in the bearing housing, thus producing a higher dB level. The inspector would notice the rise in dBs as grease is applied and would stop greasing. In the P-F interval once a failure has begun, ultrasound is excellent at finding it. These are bearing failures that can be detected even before changes in vibration. If you’re monitoring critical assets, ultrasound and vibration should be used together in an effort to potentially detect multiple failure modes that may be missed when only using one technology alone. Viable option Remote monitoring with ultrasound is a viable option for maintenance and reliability programmes that are already monitoring assets traditionally with hand-held devices, and for programs where ultrasound is currently not a technology that is being used. Because it is very complimentary to vibration analysis for mechanical inspection and infrared thermography for electrical inspection, ultrasound will only enhance condition monitoring efforts already in use. Using ultrasound for mechanical and electrical inspection will deliver an increased level of monitoring for critical assets and assets that are currently not being monitored with vibration analysis or other condition monitoring technologies. Anywhere you would consider using traditional data collection techniques, remote monitoring can be a viable option as well. In areas that are inaccessible, dangerous, or remote, remote monitoring with ultrasound may be your only option. Additionally, a multi-technology approach to condition monitoring increases your chances of finding multiple failure modes and detecting them early enough to make the necessary repairs before they become catastrophic. For further information please visit: www.uesystems.com