Hi all

Due to the present market downturn (or what ever the latest term is)our manufacturing site finds itself without a vibration analyst. We are currently using CSI equipment and have staff to collect the data but no one is qualified to analyse. I was wondering what members of the forum thought about sending the data to an outside contractor. I am led to believe that it is simply a matter of sending a data file, is this true? Do the pros out way the cons in respect to the contractor not actually visiting site? Should I limit analysis to a European country? And finally can anyone recommend a reputable company who could carry out this service.

Thanks

Al

VENDOR: As an analyst I can take your data and reduce it into a report. I have taken three plants to planned scheduled maintenance. This is the cheapest approach. The communications need to be such that data are correct and reliable + some machine knowledge from the client and industry + photos would probably be helpful. A dialogue will establish a working relationship to achieve a successful maintenance program. In one plant maintenance hasn't worked overtime in over five years - this program is field proven and works. I have phone numbers and names of people right on down to the maintenance repair personnel.

I am interested and would appreciate your contacting me. I can supply you with some insight and pricing as well. It will certainly reduce your expense to move in this direction. I have cost figures. I've been doing this remotely via my son 600 miles away; he does the data collection and I do the reports and we have faired very well with successful programs for many years.

Azima/DLI is also another firm doing this. You may also want to contact Don Rainey at Azima. Just do a search on google or you can find him here of this forum. There may be a number that can provide you with this kind of program.

Another is Olov Lindholm, also on this forum or at olov.li@vtab.se (he's a little closer to you).

But I will say there are a number of qualified analyst and I would like to talk with you and can share some info that you may find beneficial. sampickens@pdm-engineering.com

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sam Pickens,

Vendor warning:

Sorry for the "vendor" posting, but Al is in need of someone.

Al,

We at Alert Analytical have access to view your data over an internet network connection where we can analyze it while you or anyone at your plant watches and sees how we analyze, and while you learn, etc.
Both Alert and you have control over the keyboard of your computer. A relative inexpensive learning tool when compared to in-house training or even "classroom" visit training.
Visit our website for more details on this service.

http://www.alertanalytical.com/advat.html

Also:

"Sending" us the data is also an option.
Contact us in the United Staes at:
1-715-893-5035

or email
Alert@centurytel.net

or email
info@alertanalytical.com

or visit our website
http://www.alertanalytical.com/

You are correct it is easy to send the data to an outside contractor. The file you need is in the Cust Data directory of RBMsuite, it is an .rbm file. Depending on the size of the rbm file you can just send this via email or copy it onto a CD etc. I think your concerns around an analyst looking over your data when they haven't even seen the machine are justified, however with the situation that you are in this is probably your best option. I wouldn't be too concerned about sending the data outside of Europe as long as the analyst is able to produce a report in Metric as well as being aware of the different electrical line frequency. All in all I think this could work for you as long as you are prepared to work closely with the contractor to get the project up and running. I do know of an analyst who would be able to create a report from your rbm file so if you would like to contact him send me an email and I'll pass it on to him.

Good Luck

Andrew

andrewloder@yahoo.co.uk

Vendor

As Sam indicated, you are welcome to contact us.
Olov

Why not use the company that makes your analysis equipment? It would seem to be a seamless fit!

Alan,

I can make a vendor recommendation that would meet your remote analysis requirements. Please email me your contact information and I will put them in touch with you. mmerten@cox.net

IVC Technologies is well equipped to handle your Remote Vibration Analysis needs. Please contact me to learn more about how we may be able to assist you with your PdM program.

Regards,

Jim Smith

IVC Technologies

Hi Alan,

VENDOR WARNING:

Just wondering how you are coming with your request for "remote analysis".

We are offering, to potentially new clients, an introductory special offer for a "free", one time, remote analysis of a route or machine of their choice in their plant, online, to see if we fit their needs.

Feel free to contact us for more details.
http://www.alertanalytical.com

G'Day Al,
It seems your business has been caught in the economic cycle along with many others.
It is fantastic that you are able to continue your Condition Monitoring program.
If you do decide to out source the analysis, I have a couple of suggestions for you.
* Make sure the company you get has a proven track record.
* Check that the insurance & legal information is all in order
* Build a clear way of reporting so that everyone understands the results(in other words if the report is going to the manager make sure it is in the terminology that he/she can understand).
* Make sure the service provider has a good knowledge of the type of machines that is to be worked on.
* to gain the best results from your remote style analysis you will need to provide lots of history and machinery details.
* Also make sure your CSI software that you use is the same version as the peoplere viewing this for you (you may neeed to upgrade, this can get expensive).
* Put clear & resonable KPI's in place for the service provider.
* Make sure your data collectors are taught the importance of collecting good quality, repeatable data.
And the biggest thing that I believe that gets overlooked is being able to celerbrate and capture your successful Condition Monitoring WINS.
Not only does this highlight to all levels the valuable service this creates you can also work out how much money your organisation has saved by having this team.
God knows when the bean counters came through our Mine site 3 months ago they left me the hell alone because I had tracked the amount of savings we had made and I told everyone at the start of each month just how good our program was running.

FYI, I too used to be a consultant that would sometimes get other peoples data to analyze. It is a struggle some times if you don't have all the information or the person who collected the data does something a bit different to the normal.

Anyhow these tips I hope will help everyone.

These are just some of my thoughts and opinions, Good luck to all involved and remember to "cover your butt" as those pesky bean counters may be about.

Hooch

I work for Azima DLI and can fill you in on how we are doing this for other customers. I can give you Don's number if you want to talk to him. Thanks jschlottman@azimadli.com

Alan,
Staff collecting data and outsourcing data analysis? Makes more sense to re-hire the vibration analyst to collect and interprete data.

So Erik, you can see the value created by this one person leaving the organisation.
What has it done for the business?

Lowered morale
Reduced the likely hood of finding problems as they arise
Additional strain on crew to cover this persons knowledge.
Mentor for CM program no longer available.
Unstable enviroment for a period of time untill replacement is found.

These are jusst a few things that could be avoided. Once again I stress the importance of being able to celerbrate your wins, calculate the savings and tell everyone about it.
Look up a book called Gung Ho and have a read of it this may improve your understanding of management decisions.

happy reading.

Hooch

I am skeptical that the original request by Chinese Alan is not real, but is just to engage a discussion about the "Remote" topic for business.

Walt

quote:

I am skeptical that the original request by Chinese Alan is not real, but is just to engage a discussion about the "Remote" topic for business.

Walt

I have been wondering about this posting also, Walt. Seems like Chinese Alan would at least respond back with something instead of just letting it go on and on.

My guess is that Chinese Alan is from the northwest USA and works for a company that manufactures vibration instruments and sells remote monitoring services. I won't be more specific, because I could be totally wrong!

Walt

Doesn't sound like a sales pitch to me. He asked for a discussion of pro's and cons of remote monitoring which could have easily brought out some con opinions. He asked for recommendations on who can do it, which invites presumed competitors to chime in.

Maybe Alan will come back and tell us more.

Hi all

My apologies for the late reply, it seems that some members think this is a little fishy, however it's more down to work load than under hand tactics. As some members are aware I have contacted them regarding remote analysis and I would like to thank them for their time and effort in responding. I would also like to thank the members who offered advise rather than service as this has been very useful as well, especially with regards to finding the data file etc. To cut a long story short I have decided to use an analyst based in the U.K who uses CSI software, this way I can send our rbm file to him on a regular basis for analysis. The deal is that he will visit site a couple of times a year so that he is familiar with our equipment. Thanks again to everyone involved and I hope to use the site again to pick your brains.

Alan