Don't hear much from the DLI users; are they good and UR satisfied - what's the story?

Got pricing today and looks pretty good: only 2X$ what VTAB sells, if money means anything.

I'm look at alternatives for long range planning and think that a poll here is worth something.

Are there no DLI users?

How about SKF users? Any comments about how satisfied you are with the system!

Sam
I use SKF and DLI along with Entek (Of course my newest contract has me using CSI). I love the speed of the SKF CMA60, it allows you to tie readings together for one store. The SKF Prism software takes some getting use to but the features are easy to use once you get use to them. With DLI I use the DCA31 which is the DI unit everyone but CSI uses (Merlon - EnPac) it has the CE windows system from Mr Bill which is rotten to the core. The ExpertAlert software is great. I alway said I wouldn't use a expert system but ExpertAlert has turn out to be a great screening tool. I don't always agree with what they say is the problem but if after adding 10+ averages it doesn't see a problem there isn't any.

Thanks Mike; good info and great to know.

Seems all vendors have sold out to some megabuck 2 or 3 Alpha Character Co - few left from the guru school. I was impressed by the ME-42 from VTAB as I competeed a PdM survey and turned in the formal report from RTA's and such then went back to let the ME-42 do the auto diagnostics with its ISO 10816 evaluation package and it hit the nail spot on just as I had diagnosed via the RTA and SAM diagnostics.

I think the future of who emerges out on top isn't clear but pricing will play a role I'm sure.

As a former DLI employee, I can say that the Expert Systems works very well, given some constraints.

The primary limitation is that the Expert Syem depends are "average" data as a baseline. The better the average is, the better the expert system results. Developing a good average file can be a lot of work, less so in a plant with many identical machinces, moreso in a plant with a lot of one-off machines. The tricky part is selecting machines to average....the tendency is to include only machines lower than the current average, rather than a cross section of machines without identifiable problems.

The other difficulty in setting up the software is determining all the forcing frequencies ahead of time. Unless you tell the Expert System that the fan has 12 blades and the pump has 5 impeller vanes, the best the system can do is a report "Unexpected high vibration level at 5x. Investigate reason for high level." When manually doing vibration analysis, I might see a peak at 5x, think that it's probably pump impeller vanes, AND THEN go do the research to confirm this. With the Expert System, you have to do all the homework up front.

Given a good baseline and proper forcing frequency information, the Expert System does an excellent job of identifying high levels and the underlying causes. For one-time machinery measurements, the expert system is no help at all, but for routinely monitoring the same machines, it's an excellent screening aid.

One other option available from DLI, with upgraded versions available from Spintelligent Labs, is the ST-101 Vibration Screening Tool. This tool doesn't rely on the spectral data we all know and love, but instead on 3 overall levels presented on bargraphs. With some proprietary scaling, the bargraph readings corresponding to overall acceleration, velocity and displacement present a pattern showing both the amplitude of vibration and the nature of the fault. Designed for users who are inexperienced in vibration analysis, the patterns quickly allow determination of the cause of high vibration levels. An imbalance problem has a different pattern than a misalignment problem, while a failing bearing has a distinctly different pattern. Without training, unskilled users reach the right conclusion 90_ percent of the time. Some information on the technique can be found here:

http://www.spintelligentlabs.com/spin-diag.html

and here:

http://www.spintelligentlabs.com/SL-docs/st-101-pg-b.pdf

The second link is a pocket guide showing the simple operating instructions and fault patterns.

Unlike the Expert System, it's not necessary to know all the forcing frequencies before you can put it to work. For example, if a high vibration level is found between 3x and 10x rotation, a impeller problem is suggested. As a reality check, the user can verify the vane count to strengthen the results.

The upgraded instruments from Spintelligent Labs add some new features like trending and accomodate a wider speed range.

By the way, I am somewhat biased about the ST-101 technology, since I'm the inventor/developer of the technology.

Jon
Spintelligent Labs

Sam,
I am an Entek user. I have tried my Enpac as a DLI DCA31 the data collection speed etc is similar. I was very impressed with the DCA 50. Excellent graphics (you can insert machine pictures and click on the locations to take data). The balancing graphics a pretty good too live time vectors (up to four channel). The DCA 50 is cheaper than a DCA31 and fraction of the price of a 2130 (especially if you get the balancing and analysis packages). The whole vibration database including all historical data can be on the DCA50 cool!
The DLI software is pretty good also certainly better windows package than CSI. Having selected client information available via a secure web page is very conveniant.

quote:

By the way, I am somewhat biased about the ST-101 technology, since I'm the inventor/developer of the technology.

Yes Jon, I think you are right when you say that
We cannot compare ST-101 to a data collector using the ExpertSystem. I own both. St-101 does a great job. I think it is the best overall reading instrument. We bought it for the mechanics so they can take readings before and after and monitor if they wish.
Talking about DCA-31. I don't use it and in my opinion it is a good instrument but it is the low-of-the-range of what DLI does offer. I work with the DCX but one should highly consider their new model-DCA-50 non-expansive and good performances.
All information on what they offer is available on DLI's website.

J-Marc

J-Marc,

No argument from me that spectral analysis is the gold standard and provides the best results....if a user can afford the hardware, software, support fees and has dedicated users who have time for training. Not everybody can afford the cost.

The technology used in the ST-101 and instruments from Spintelligent Labs offers a lower cost alternative that works almost as well for identifying maintenance problems. Most machines don't fail in some spectacular way that will make a rousing case study at the Vibration Institute meeting. The usual faults leading to problems are imbalance, misalignment, deteriorating bearings and a few others. If a user can identify these problems, he's far ahead of doing nothing because he can't afford "real instruments."

One of our customers had considered having a consultant come in to look at their machinery. With the budget they had and the number of machines, they figured it would take 12 YEARS to measure each machine once! On the other hand, they are now finding and identifying faults using an ST-101 and keeping their machinery healty.

Jon
Spintelligent Labs