The Importance of Predictive Maintenance: “Avoiding the Avoidable"

When we talk about predictive maintenance, we are talking about the periodic monitoring of turbines and gearboxes, through data collection, monitoring and inspections. The objective is to minimize failures and unscheduled maintenance, with the elaboration of a history of equipment failures with possible causes.

Periodic visits are carried out, with the following actions to be carried out:

• Complete monitoring of equipment in operation;
• Equipment vibration analysis;
• Inspection and analysis of operating conditions;
• Availability of technical support for analysis of possible operational deviations;
• Providing monthly monitoring report.

We will describe in detail some of these actions.

Monitoring is based on inspection and assessment of the operating status of the parts, as well as the machine as a whole. Monitoring follows a pre-determined follow-up script.

Vibration analysis consists of “listening” to the inside of the machine. Each component vibrates differently and creates a characteristic noise, which makes its own impression on the spectrum in the form of a linear model. If damage occurs, the model detaches from the base noise. The specialist detects, for example, if there is an imbalance, misalignment or damage to the bearing. In addition to an exact diagnosis, it’s also usually possible to determine whether urgent intervention is required or whether it’s possible to wait until the next review.

The inspection and analysis of the operational conditions is summarized in the analysis of the data collected in the monitoring.

Then, situations to improve service are proposed.

After all these procedures, a technical report to create a history of equipment behavior is issued, in order to design and plan future maintenance requirements, preparing the customer against possible unforeseen unplanned maintenance.

A continuous improvement plan is also prepared, with the objective of evaluating the operating conditions of the equipment and proposing an action plan for modernization and performance optimization.

An assisted operation plan can also be offered, with the objective of instructing the operational technical staff on the operation of the machines, emphasizing good operating practices.

Finally, training sessions can be carried out every two months, covering the topics of maintenance reports and other customer requirements.