One of my hobbies is computer programming and I have wrestled with using various software packages that just do not seem to give me what I am looking for in information.

With that, what are some of the things that we the users would like to see in a software package (features, reports, ease of use, etc.). Be as specific as you like.

I am going to try and put some of my thoughts as well as yours together for a universal PdM software program. Thanks.

Jim - I take my hat off to you as most PdM data lives on isolated islands and could be so much more valuable if seen as a complete picture of machinery health or condition.

Like a Doctor's report that includes Temperature, Blood pressure, blood test results, pulse rate, breathing difficulties etc... provide a picture of a persons health.

I hope you generate some good suggestions here.

Terry O

I would like to be able to plot the trend lines for all the overalls on a machine (1H, 1V, 1A, 2H....4V) on a single X-Y plot.

I would also like to be able to add to that plot a trend of speed vs time on a very narrow scale so I can estimate the slip for inducation motors (sync speed minus running speed). Most programs have the ability to estimate runnning speed (give it approximate running speed and a band like +/-2% and let it search for the highest peak in that range). But Entek doesn't let you easily plot that parameter.

The reason slip is of interest is that it is roughly proportional to load for induction motors (assuming line frequency and voltage are constant). Change in slip might give us a clue that something is changing in the system. Of course there are probably a lot of other things in the plant computer system we can look at (temperatures, flows, pressures), but this one (speed or slip) should be immediately available from the vib data itself.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: electricpete,

What about viewing/manupulating data at the same time.

We just started with vibration monitoring, so maybe some of the features exist I am not aware of.

Problem: 1 computer is dedicated to download the data (no problem) but handling, viewing etc. is solely done on this computer.

My dilemma:
I receive an e-mail, P-567 probably/most likely is in danger because of high readings blah blah.

Phone rings, Operations have visions of shutdown

On the phone with the analyst, where is the peak what direction, which rpm etc.. After two hours I receive an e-mail with a jpeg picture, more questions arise.

Suggestions:

1)Program opens m$ Word document, equipment/vibration data /date etc. automatically exported.

2)Analyst right clicks on appropriate snapshots which are added to open Word file.

3) Analyst writes his comments in word documents and e-mails it.

What about attaching the binary vibration data by e-mail which can be opened with a data viewer? just like Acrobat reader, but not static pictures.

Guys:

Vendor Warning!

Version 2.0 of PathFinder (soon to be released) has these features. PathFinder is the MAARS online systems historical data analysis program.

Open Word document directly in PathFinder and do a "Tag, Tack and Pack" (my words for tagging spectra, wf trend or orbit displays, tacking them in the Word reporting document and packing them up for email with data).

We are also releasing a PathFinder Viewer program, (think like a pdf viewer, where you can view the pdf file but can't create a pdf file). With our viewer, certain data will be available (probably just trends, as this is all you would probably want to send to a manager).

Just thought that you would like to know about these new developments. If you have any questions, please feel free to call my cell phone at 865-388-3802.

Buddy Lee
President & CEO
MAARS, Inc.

I like to see the data plotted a year at a time. And I do vib, temps and trying to incorporate oil.

But in PdM I want ultimately to have it automated to write the report and E-mail it with a schedule.