FAQ

Predictive maintenance (yellow area on the diagram) is performed using sensors to understand the state of wear level of electromechanical equipment, while precision maintenance (green area on the diagram) involves acting to eliminate the causes of failures.

For example, it is worth running precision lubrication (7 on the diagram) on bearings (using ultrasound or vibration analysis) to avoid over-lubrication which will also soon damage the bearings.

We offer under our certified system for quality control, health, safety and environmental management:

• Selection and supply of appropriate equipment for assets (rotational and non-rotational) that you choose to monitor.
• Staff training at your facility. We also organize an annual, four-day LEVEL I Certified ultrasound course.
• Measurement - diagnosis and rehabilitation services if you so require.

• Vibration analysis
• Ultrasound
• Thermography
• Electrical current analysis
• Analysis of engine liquids (refrigerants, lubricants, fuels)
• Conventional size measurements (static/dynamic pressure, temperature, current, speed, etc. with any 0-10V, 4-20mA sensor)

The areas of application covered are summarized:

• Detection of gas leaks.
• Electrical inspections (electrical panels and lines).
• Mechanical inspections (bearings, shaft systems, drive transmissions, covers sealing, lubrication, valves, steam systems).
• Thermodynamic analysis (reciprocating / rotating machines).

• Compressed air leaks cause significant financial costs.
• Also, hazardous / harming to the atmosphere gases and electrical malfunctions have a significant impact on hygiene, safety and environmental footprint.
• Mechanical and thermodynamic malfunctions are key factors in operating costs increase by reducing equipment availability.

If we can diagnose early and correct malfunctions, we will increase profitability.

• We have implemented an unprecedented experience of merging all the above available technologies into one platform and operating system.
• The ability to use portable devices and permanently installed sensors.
• The user has a complete picture of their equipment measurements on a screen.
• No longer separate software for each technology.
• There is also the possibility of visual inspection integration, as well as interconnection with Computer Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), machine learning (ML) and Key Performance Indicator software (KPI’s) if you have.

Sensors

• We supply and support sensors and measuring devices of recognised manufacturers.

Data acquisition devices

• We manufacture the extremely simple and user-friendly (and from low-skilled staff) portable data acquisition device WearDC.
• We use smartphone as a Human Machine Interface to guide the user, including photos and instructions for performing measurements / inspections.
• We can also incorporate a low-cost branded thermal camera into it.
• Measurements / visual inspections can also be performed without the existence of a wireless network. Once the device is connected to the network, all data uploads to the platform.

• We also manufacture the MAINTNODE data acquisition device for permanent installations.

• We developed a cloud platform, MECHBASE to store and process measurements.
• We incorporate intelligent statistical alarms to cover cases of speed changing and machine load.
• Alarms can be reported to any system
• We can obtain data for platform integration from devices with established industrial protocols (MODBUS, OPC-UA).
• In big installations there is a capability to supply full source code of the platform along with documentation.

The diagnostic techniques used on the platform are based for standardization and interoperability purposes on international standards and open good practices. That is exactly what most of the diagnostic maintenance community uses. Their combination may cover all your needs.

We use multiple monitoring indicators on each equipment to assess the health of the equipment targeting specific symptoms. Specifically, can be configured for each indicator:

• Order of integration (no integration, simple integration, double integrations).
• Value calculation method (RMS, Crest factor, Pk-Pk, True Peak, FFT bin)
• Units
• High-pass and low-pass filter
• Windowing
• Averaging
• Averaging overlap
• Range of harmonics if FFT bin was selected as the value calculation method

Each monitoring indicator can have one or more alarm scenarios. Each scenario is based on the following elements:

• Upper / lower limit of major risk
• Upper / lower limit of moderate risk
• Load

If an indicator has more than one scenario, they can vary by load. This can be a measurable or non-measurable operating characteristic such as speed, pressure, current etc. When a measurement exceeds the limits of one or more monitoring indicators, the measurement is defined as a measurement with “High risk” or “Moderate risk” status.

The selection of alarms is not always obvious for all equipment. That is why MECHBASE has a tool for statistical alarms. Assuming that the equipment is in good general condition we take measurements for several days. Then we use the tool which automatically calculates the statistical standard deviation of the measurements (σ) and suggests alarms at 2σ for the “Moderate risk” limit and 3σ for the “Major risk” limit.

In case there is a need to support a particular technique that you wish to apply, we can integrate it.

Use the devices you have. In conjunction with our proposed approach (instructions will be included on how to perform the measurements) in order to insert the measurements where they are performed. Once the smartphone is on a wireless network, all measurements are automatically available for monitoring on the platform.

The proposed approach has been developed based on trends that appear to dominate in the coming years, it is based on simplicity, speed, ease of use and integration of many diagnostic technologies into a single operating environment. You can set up a diagnostic maintenance plan as described above and use the equipment you already have for troubleshooting or even repairing difficult cases.

In the context of recommendation or modernization of a diagnostic maintenance department, we offer without cost our help for the criticality analysis and the calculation of the return on investment (ROI) for the diagnostic technologies that interest you.

For all our systems we offer installation of measurement points, training, complete documentation and supervision.

We offer “turnkey” installation without geographic restrictions for the permanently installed systems.

Regarding the portable systems, the smartphone used for the measurements and their synchronization are not personal. They are part of the system. Those devices are from branded manufacturers, with the latest security updates and contains only our own software or affiliate tested software. This ensures that the device does not pose a risk to the rest of the network. Similar protocols are followed with our permanently installed systems. Their operating system contains the latest security updates and communicates only with our, yours (including local on-premises installation) or your partner server (CMMS, ERP) when required. Upon request we can install a wireless network for application-only use or even implement a GSM solution.

We visit you (if you are in our broad geographic area) and show you all the possibilities in your equipment. Alternatively, we have designed a demonstration room in our facilities which includes a series of fixed assets (pumps, fans, compressors, electrical equipment, pneumatic system, steam boiler / steam traps) to enable realistic evaluation.

We use all the known techniques for the remote presentation of our capabilities as well as the specification of the equipment that fits you.

As system manufacturers we don’t usually offer analysis services. We do maintain a catalogue of seasoned analysts. However we can help you develop your own analysis capacity through personnel training.