I've got to be a ble to analyse cargo hoists (lifts). They consist of a motor approx 1500rpm, a gearbox approx 1500 - 60rpm, and 9 bearing pully's approx <60rpm. The area is closed off while equipment is running. The running of these lifts will ramp up in speed and ramp down when it's desired level is reached. The running times will differ due to different levels.
What would be the best technology to use, bering in mind the guys looking at the data will have minimal training and they would only need to have an indication if a fault appears.

Most of the motor current signature analysis and electrical signature analysis tools are fairly straight forward for this type of application. I am formerly with one of those manufacturers. Presently, I have several engineers testing bow and stern thrusters on US Coast Guard cutters able to detect alignment, gears, bearings, seals and the condition of the propellors through a DC machine. The evaluation of AC machines is even more straight forward. The engineers are mechanical types with limited training, the software has been performing much of the work. The technology can test these conditions through the electrical system.

There are about five MCSA/ESA vendors and several vibration analysis vendors have MCSA (limited) capabilities. I would recommend having each of them demonstrate their technology to you in order to see which one(s) can meet your needs. Be careful, several of them will claim they can do much more than they claim and the cost of the instrument has no bearing on capability.

Hi Bazman --

My company is doing that right now in bridge crane applications. (vendor warnings apply.....)

Feel free to contact me offline.....

Dear Bazman:

***Vendor Warning****

Please have a look at our website at www.maars.com

There is a case history paper on crane monitoring there under the application notes section that you may be interested in reviewing.

Thanks!

Best regards,

Buddy Lee
President & CEO
MAARS, Inc.

865-212-0006 Office
buddy@maars.com

And I'd like to be a do-it-yourself brain surgeon. I think I could get folks knocked out OK, and cutting them open shouldn't be too hard. Any obvious problems, I think I could probably figure it out. But I might need to consult with a doctor if something odd showed up.

Is there a book I could read, or a video I could watch that would let me do this? I mean, how hard could it really be?

Dear Bazman,
I think there are two critical points in your application which would need special attention.

1. Slow Speed

2. The system should be able to Identify and segregate the data collected at different Speed ranges. Each Speed Range should have its own collection parameter, alarm etc..

We have products which can suit your requirement. Please feel free to send me an email if you require further info..

Of course, ***** Vendor Warning******