Aggregates Manager

September 2013

Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine

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Special Report frequency data and matches what we see to known data signatures to identify the source of the fault. Common types of faults that vibration analysis can identify include: (a) bearing faults, (b) misalignment, (c) mechanical looseness, (d) electrical, and (e) imbalance. Figures 1 and 2 are examples of spectrums and a waveform that depicts frequency data gathered from an operating piece of equipment. This data will identify fault's type and order of magnitude. This enables us to categorize this fault and prioritize it in the maintenance backlog. Infrared thermography. Infrared thermography (IR) detects and displays images of thermal radiation with an infrared camera. These thermal radiation images illustrate the range of temperatures found on any object or piece of equipment. Once we capture the temperature data, we can then compare it to the acceptable range of temperatures to determine if a potential problem exists or may be developing. The image on page 22 shows an example of a thermal image; the different colors indicate different temperature readings. The purple areas are the coolest and the red areas show where the temperature is the hottest. Oil sample analysis. Oil sample analysis is a procedure that enables you to identify the chemical characteristics, contaminants, and wear debris in oil. There are many tests that can be part of an oil sample analysis. The type of tests performed depends on the application, type of equipment, as well as your organization's specific needs. Some of the more common tests are: (a) elemental analysis, which uses a Figure 1 Figure 2 These are examples of spectrums and a waveform that depicts frequency data from an operating piece of equipment. This data identify a fault's type and magnitude. spectrometer to determine machine wear and contamination of the oil; (b) particle count test, which determines the amount and type of metal and additives in the oil; (c) the Karl Fischer test, which measures the amount of water in your oil; (d) viscosity test, which measures the thickness of the oil; and (e) acid number test, which measures the amount of acid buildup in your oil. Acid buildup is an indicator of the amount of oxidation that has occurred. If the debris is too large to be detected by a spectrometer during the elemental analysis, a ferrous wear test may be necessary. Designing a predictive maintenance program Now that we have discussed the different types of predictive maintenance tools available, it's time to focus on the process of designing the right program for your facility. The first step in designing your program is to decide which equipment you want to monitor. Motors, gearboxes, compressors, pumps, engines, and hydraulics are all examples of equipment that should be included in your predictive maintenance audits. Consider collecting thermal imagAggregates Manager September 2013 SpecialReport_AGRM0913.indd 21 21 8/16/13 2:12 PM

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