Condition Based Maintenance & Monitoring
Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)
Condition based maintenance (CBM) is a maintenance strategy that monitors the actual condition of the asset to decide what maintenance needs to be done. CBM dictates that maintenance should only be performed when certain indicators show signs of decreasing performance or upcoming failure. Checking a machine for these indicators may include non-invasive measurements, visual inspection, performance data and scheduled tests.
Condition data can then be gathered at certain intervals, or continuously (as is done when a machine has internal sensors). Condition based maintenance can be applied to mission critical and non-mission critical assets.
Unlike in planned scheduled maintenance (PM), where maintenance is performed based upon predefined scheduled intervals, condition based maintenance is performed only after a decrease in the condition of the equipment has been observed. Compared with preventative maintenance, this increases the time between maintenance repairs, because maintenance is done on an as-needed basis.
ADVANTAGES
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CBM is performed while the asset is working, this lowers disruptions to normal operations
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Reduces the cost of asset failures
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Improves equipment reliability
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Minimizes unscheduled downtime due to catastrophic failure
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Minimizes time spent on maintenance
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Minimizes overtime costs by scheduling the activities
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Minimizes requirement for emergency spare parts
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Optimized maintenance intervals (more optimal than manufacturer recommendations)
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Improves worker safety
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Reduces the chances of collateral damage to the system
DISADVANTAGES
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Condition monitoring test equipment is expensive to install, and databases cost money to analyze
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Cost to train staff – you need a knowledgeable professional to analyze the data and perform the work
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Fatigue or uniform wear failures are not easily detected with CBM measurements
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Condition sensors may not survive in the operating environment
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May require asset modifications to retrofit the system with sensors
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Unpredictable maintenance periods
Types of Condition Monitoring
EAMS offers a variety of Non-destructive and Non-intrusive condition monitoring/ inspection services, below are just a few:
Vibration Analysis
Rotating equipment such as compressors, pumps, motors all exhibit a certain degree of vibration. As they degrade, or fall out of alignment, the amount of vibration increases. Vibration sensors can be used to detect when this becomes excessive.
Oil/ Lubrication Analysis
Once off/ monthly lubrication sampling and measuring of equipment lubrication to determine the number and size of particles for asset wear determination.
Wireless/ Continues Monitoring
Operating a manufacturing plant/ operation efficiently yet cost effectively is challenging. There's enough to worry about without having to expend precious resources to manually monitor things that could be automated. ioX-Connect™ is our range of integrated wireless remote monitoring solutions that connects your equipment and gives you real-time feedback.
On-Site Lubrication Laboratory
EAMS offers a fully equipped on site lubrication analysis laboratory with trained and certified staff. This allows for quicker turn-around times for sampling and significantly lowers the costs of sample analysis over time. Emergency samples can be taken and analysed much quicker possibly preventing equipment failure.
Thermal Inspections
Thermal imaging cameras are devices that translate thermal energy (heat) into visible light in order to analyze a particular object or scene for faults. These images are used for immediate diagnosis where excessive heat is present or processed through our specialized software for further evaluation, accuracy and condition report output.
Ultrasonic
Detection of deep subsurface defects such as fuel tank wall corrosion, pipe corrosion and much more.
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