Predictive machine maintenance
To reduce the likelihood of failures of expensive and vital equipment, predictive maintenance programmes should be strictly adhered to. A crucial element of this is vibration diagnostics.
What is vibration diagnostics?
Vibration diagnostics is a major part of predictive machine maintenance programs. Over the years, vibration diagnostics has proven to be the most effective method for checking ‘motor health’. Vibration diagnostics tools help to predict machine failures. When predictive maintenance is applied and the machines are checked regularly, machine faults can be discovered at an early stage and appropriate action can be taken. Doing so can avoid unexpected machine shutdowns and replacing parts which are still in good condition. Adash supplies a full range of vibration diagnostics equipment, from simple data collectors to advanced vibration analyzers and on-line monitoring systems. The data from the devices can be transferred to Adash software for further analysis.
How does it work?
Running machines generate vibrations, which contain a lot of information about their condition. A vibration meter or analyser is used to measure this vibration. The sensor needs to be mounted on an appropriate point on the machine (e.g. bearing housing). The instrument measures the vibration signal, tells you the severity of the vibrations and also possible machine faults. The most frequent faults are bearings faults, unbalance, misalignment and looseness.
Which machines should I measure and when?
Consider which machines are critical for your factory’s production. These critical machines should have the biggest priority over the other machinery. Also consider how much time can be spent to measure them regularly. It is ideal to measure the machines every week, but we are not living in an ideal world. Despite that, try to schedule measurement of those particular machines at least once per month.
Note: Planning to measure machinery every half a year is not predictive maintenance but rather the ‘run to failure’ method. It does not make any sense to measure with such a huge time span.
AVO New Zealand is the local distributor for Adash vibration analyzers and can assist with motor vibration applications. Vibration Analysis has been simplified by modern technology and Adash have a unit for all customers, budgets and skillsets.
Contact AVO New Zealand book a demonstration.   

Details, Ph: 0800 485 990; avo.co.nz