Soft foot is one of the most prevalent issues we encounter with rotating equipment when in the field. Also known as machine frame distortion, soft foot is a complex condition that can result in a wide range of mechanical and quality problems including misalignment, high vibration levels, accelerated wear and tear, premature bearing and seals failure, metal fatigue and distortion, and increased power consumption. While not considered a critical situation, the consequences of ignoring the symptoms of soft foot can…
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Torsional Issues: The Big Blind Spot
Torsional issues can exist in a wide range of machinery with rotating components causing a variety of machine failures, operational instability, and product quality issues – all of which can have a huge negative effect on a company’s bottom line. An all too common mistake that many process engineers and other professionals make is in assuming that measuring motor current will provide an excellent analysis of torsional characteristics. However, relying on the motor current measurements for an indicator of actual…
Drowning in Data? You Could Be Sitting on A Treasure Trove of Valuable Information
It’s hard to go to a trade show or pick up an industry publication these days without reading something about Industry 4.0, “smart” factories, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), AI, data analytics and cloud computing – just to name a few. Manufacturing companies have taken advantage of these digital technologies to reduce waste and variability in their production processes and significantly improve product quality and performance. Having more sources for capturing data than ever before, it’s not uncommon for…
Stay Competitive and Profitable by Integrating Process and Condition Monitoring
Manufacturing companies wanting to remain competitive and profitable in today’s global economy are fast realizing the pivotal role that data and analytics play in improving operational efficiency and effectiveness. Integrating process and condition monitoring while harnessing the resulting data is a necessary first step in developing a strategic approach to decrease downtime and increase productivity. Earlier this month, IVC had the opportunity to co-present a case study on this very topic at the International Machine Vibration Analysis and Condition Monitoring…
Keeping the Quality Triangle Intact While Keeping Machines Running Smoothly
When it comes to asset condition management, getting as much quality data in the least amount of time possible allows vibration analysts to focus on advancing plant reliability rather than waiting for data collection. Enter VIBSCANNER 2 The VIBSCANNER 2 is a high-end data collector with the ability to multitask and collect more than one channel of data simultaneously. In fact, it can collect up to three channels at the same time. It is PRUFTECHNIK’s newest condition monitoring device which easily and…
New Partnership: IVC Technologies and PRUFTECHNIK Inc.
As announced recently, IVC Technologies has teamed up with PRUFTECHNIK North America to form PRUFTECHNIK Condition Monitoring Services. We look forward to the exciting opportunities this new partnership brings, not only to our respective companies but especially to our customers – both new and existing. New Partnership provides more options for customers At IVC Technologies, we’ve always strived to stay ahead of the condition monitoring curve by investing in both people (continuing education/training) and state-of-the-art technology to help our customers…
Press Release: Industry Leaders Join Forces to Serve US Manufacturing
PRUFTECHNIK Inc. and IVC Technologies, both long-time leaders in the condition monitoring industry, have joined forces to provide a comprehensive condition monitoring solution for clients throughout North America. PRUFTECHNIK Condition Monitoring Services powered by IVC Technologies combines the strengths of PRUFTECHNIK’s suite of high-quality alignment and condition monitoring tools and IVC Technologies 30+ years of providing extensive condition monitoring services to industry. Bringing together these two industry innovators will enable manufacturers to boost their maintenance organizations’ reliability performance. “IVC…
Bearings Failing Prematurely? Improper Mounting Could Be the Problem
In theory, roller bearings can outlive the machinery in which they perform. In reality, however, bearings fail prematurely for myriad reasons such as lubrication failure, contamination, and misalignment. As analysts, one critical reason we encounter frequently is improper mounting. In fact, an estimated 16 percent of all premature bearing failures can be attributed to poor fitting. This is often due to using brute force during installation and lacking the knowledge of correct fitting tools. The main objective when mounting…
Is Alignment a Part of Your Condition Based Maintenance Plan?
Routine condition-based monitoring (CBM) is a must for maintaining the operation and reliability of rotating equipment in factories and power plants. While most CBM programs include – among other things – cleaning, lubrication and oil checks, many neglect to include shaft alignment into their plan. Instead, they perform it only when something fails. However, studies reveal an alarming statistic… Over 50 percent of all machine damage is caused by incorrect shaft alignment Therefore, why not incorporate shaft alignment into your routine…
HOW WE CAN DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF FLOW-RELATED PUMP PROBLEMS WITH GAUGES
When it comes to flow-related pump problems, there are a number of potential causes: cavitation, air entrapment, suction/discharge recirculation to name a few. As reliability professionals, our customers rely on us to determine the root cause of the problem and create an actionable diagnosis. Gauges are one of the best yet often overlooked tools available for addressing flow-related pump issues. When properly installed, not only do gauges alert you that a serious problem is occurring, but they can also help…
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