We are currently using 10 different PdM technologies plus mugger readings etc… to track the condition of our equipment. One problem we are facing is all these technologies are from different vendors, so the softwares are different and do not interface. We are looking for another software, yea I said it, another software, to tie all of the technologies together, so there is one place to look at the history, trends, and condition of our equipment. Is anyone using something like this or know of any venders that may have such a product? How are others handling this issue?

Which output data formats can the actual 10 provide? Is there a common format?

Can the output be manipulated to be then read by MsAccess, SQL database, another???

Rich,

Take a look at http://www.tf7.com/tf7/default.htm
that provides a database basket to put all your results.
Are your "mugger" readings actually photos of criminals?

Walt

Rich,

My Uptime magazine (www.uptimemagazine.com)arrived today, and there is a long article on the Tango software product. I like the methodology of not replicating each set of PDM data, but instead organizing the results together and providing a uniform means of reporting and communication.

Walt

** Vendor Alert ***

Take a look at the Design Maintnenance Systems Inc's offering MAINTelligence. Not only do they have a very open database structure to import and export data but they actually have drivers written for many pieces of hardware. The MAINTelligence software also has the ability to integrate data collected by operators if your operators are doing any sort of inspections. This is a software company and are willing to work with anyones hardware.

You can visit their website at www.desmaint.com for additional info.

They have a local rep located in the Dallas area.

Good Luck,
Marty Wilkins,
Southeast Reliability, LLC

We are in a somewhat similar situation. We have our predictive data spread out.

Vibration in one place (E-monitor). Lube oil also in E-monitor but more user-friendly using the vendor (Herguth) database. Current signature spectra results in E-monitor and db-down and current numbers extracted from spectra and trended in separate spreadsheet.

Infrared images attached to action-tracking system on a by-exception basis.

Motor partial discharge results and megger results in excel spreadsheet.


I don’t see any problem with this or any need to combine. Even with the three technologies vibration lube oil, current signature in one database, it doesn’t really save me any time.

We have the following elements in place that I think fill the gap and eliminate need for a centralized PDM program:
1 – Strong action tracking system to track identified deficiencies to resolution.
3 - Use E-monitor routes for scheduling vib and plant PM program for scheduling remaining surveys.
2 – Periodic PDM report to management summarizing PDM findings and status.
3 – Individuals involved with the technologies recognize when there is potential overlap and take action as appropriate. If lube oil guy sees a problem he checks on vibration. If vibration guy suspects bearing problem he looks at lube oil. If CSA shows a problem look at vibration for similar pole pass symptoms. If vib shows pole pass or other things looking like rotor bar, look at CSA. Any special-request infrared surveys of rotating equipment would be reviewed by rotating equipment guys.
Based on above I don’t see any problem with this setup.

BUT, we do have plant parameters (flows, temperatures etc) trended in separate plant computer. It would be nice to be able to draw that together with our predictive data to help understand/explain the variations in predictive data.

I think electripetes on the right track. Having a personal interface that can tie it all together. Software will never make up for intuition. The problem is having a guy positioned at the centre of it all who can disseminate the info from all the varying sources and send out the alarms to the right people.

I thought DCS contains operating parameters & vibration monitoring for major rotating eqpt. Also have data manager for trending.

Hello All,
It is possible to track all the PdM data (Most Brands) and itegrate it with the CMMS / EAM system (Most Brands) and incorporate operational feeds to and from PLC / DCS / SCADA using the SKF Aptitude software, it also acts as a decision support system. For further information please contact me at ahmeddanish@skfegypt.com or visit www.aptitudexchange.com

*** VENDOR ALERT ***

Electricpete I think you have brought up a topic for a new POST, “Are process and operating parameters overlooked as a predictive maintenance tool?”.
For years I’ve collected operating data on clipboards while walking rounds and also reviewing log sheets generated from computerized data acquisition centers. The thing that always bothered me was the pain in retrieving the historical data and getting it into a format I could use as maintenance and troubleshooting decision aid.
I dumped the data into spreadsheets and databases trying to use that historical info, needless to say I now have a lot less hair. I’m a maintenance guy not a programmer or database analyst.
Well somebody out there actually decided to create a way to use all that data as a predictor and troubleshooting aid to compliment the other pdm technologies. The original project was developed for assessing equipment health on ships and is now expanding to other industries that capture process and operation information. The software is also MIMOSA compatable so interfacing with other software is less of an issue.

I liked the idea so much I now work for the company [URL=www.esrgtech.com]

We maintenance folks should be using all the tools in our toolbox. I personally think that operating and processing historical data needs to be dusted off and put to use with the rest of the pdm tools.

How about Emerson/CSI Machinery Health Monitor? Who have used this integrated software? Any experience to share?

Hi Josh,
We use CSI's Machinery Health Software along with 2115,2120 & 2130 Analysers. It works but has it's share of issues that one MAY have to work through.

Perhaps you would like to list down those issues?

Price is too high to begin with.

Tech Support is great if you have time to sit around and wait on a return phone call.

No real help with setting up running the software issues from tech support. They offer a class on running the software but it doesn't adequately address real world issues all the time.

When sending the machines back in for calibration... All your setup parameters are erased and NOT restored. That means that the machine has to be re-setup every time it goes in for service. Very time consuming for us and the price of calibration is very high.

There are very many software shortcuts and tricks that you need to learn in order to get adequate results from the software.

Nspector isn't always right. $4500 and still guessing.

New features implemented in the software but some trainers are more adept than others at identifying good things that can save me time & money from the frilly things that make things LOOK better than they really are.

Having the software licensed to only one computer leaves us very vurnerable to computer glitches.

The networked software is way too expensive.

The list goes on and on

What about MIMOSA and Open O&M?

If you have not touched based with MIMOSA activities lately - you should consider doing so.

MIMOSA will create a real time live demo with dozens of vendors tied togther at IMC-2006 December 5-8, 20006 in Daytona Beach Florida.

They did so at IMC-2005 and IMC-2004 as well and it is a sight to behold.

Don't let your vendors blow off MIMOSA - ask them why they are not compliant. MIMOSA works for you - your vendor works for your money. If you support MIMOSA complaint vendors the other will join soon enough.

I think standards are a great way forward - even if it is a bulky time consuming process.

Lots of other points to make but MIMOSA and Open O&M are real and they are here now. Ask BP how they used the Open O&M stadard to tie 16 recently acquired refineries with lots of different system togther.

Terry O

I personally do not like all my apples in one basket. But if we had a good enough software program that did it all I wouldn't be needed. I think a good formal report with the Queen's english spoken to clearly define problems and provide solutions is the key - and, it takes a person to make that tie in my opinion.

The, "it's so simple you're secretary can do it" will never be a good program.

quote:

The, "it's so simple you're secretary can do it" will never be a good program

We use Matrikon for our process parameters (Part of MIMOSA), and what it have done for us, is bringing the process parameters out of the control room.
1) Before you decide to go out to take data, you can see if your target is on stream. It happened in the past that the operator on the phone gave a wrong answer and you take up your gear, organized permit, went to the field... and the pump is in the shop
2) You can estimate, according to flows and temperatures how your target is loaded. Boiler Fans are a great example of that.

But all these things in one big monster?
something like Micro$oft Office , SAP or other similar creatures? Not for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Walt Strong:
Rich,

My Uptime magazine (www.uptimemagazine.com)arrived today, and there is a long article on the Tango software product. I like the methodology of not replicating each set of PDM data, but instead organizing the results together and providing a uniform means of reporting and communication.

Walt

I read the article on my Uptime as well, this software sounds promising, I may obtain it for my plant. Anyone has tested it?

What are the MIMOSA's specs which we try to comply with here??

www.mimosa.org