Do you own a business in the engineering industry that relies on the accuracy of your machinery? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of business owners just like you must make sure that the various machines used in their factories are properly maintained on a schedule to ensure that they do not slow down their processes. Sometimes you can see early warning signs that your machinery is wearing down such as excessive noise, vibration, fluid leaks, and oil contamination. Other times, you are not so lucky. That is why there are predictive maintenance processes you can use to detect issues early. Below are two of these processes:
1. Vibration Analysis – Predictive maintenance vibration analysis is a great way to determine whether your equipment is failing. Essentially, vibration analysis involves listening to the vibration frequencies to determine if they are where they should be based on the type of material that is being used. By using vibration analysis to predict equipment issues, you can properly schedule the time for repair so that it does not interfere with your production.
2. Hydrostatic Testing – Hydrostatic testing is one of the most popular ways of testing pressurized vessels for leaks. To perform this test, the pressurized unit is filled with water and all of the air is removed before it is pressurized. At that point, leaks will show up if they exist and if they do not then the vessel is proven to be free of faults. Hydrostatic testing has actually been required by federal law to be used on newly installed natural gas pipelines after they are laid in the ground. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, acting through the Office of Pipeline Safety, administers this hydrostatic regulatory program.
The repair and renewal of your machinery parts is crucial to the success of your business, whether you are creating the parts themselves or using them to create other products. Whether predictive maintenance vibration analysis and hydrostatic testing leads you to understand that you need a shaft and bearing replacement, or an industrial gearbox repair, it is always best to find out about it beforehand rather than have it affect the timing of the entire factory’s work. THere is no doubt that the machinery industry is a huge part of the world’s economy. In fact, in the year of 2012 machinery manufacturing shipments alone totaled over $400 billion. Choose to explore the use of vibration analysis or hydrostatic testing in your business this year and see how much time and money you can save. The results may surprise you!