Efficient Plant November 2017 - 50

feature | solution focus
high-frequency response by:
 combining a high-response accelerometer with a low-mass, high-strength
rare-earth magnet
 carefully controlling the quality of the
metal-to-metal surface between the magnet and the structure
 providing a layer of lubricant to act as
a coupling medium across the magnet-to-structure interface.
To validate this hypothesis, the investigators ran a series of tests using a PCB
accelerometer and rare-earth magnet.
The magnet pull was only 2.5 lb., but the
low mass (2.3 grams) of the accelerometer/
magnet system resulted in a high resonant
frequency when mounted. During each of
the three test phases, various configurations were evaluated to assess the effect of
surface preparation, attachment methodology, target designs, and different glues
and lubricants. To assure repeatability and

uniform results, personnel prepared at least
three test samples of each configuration and
obtained multiple readings from each. As
the best configurations emerged from the
process, additional samples were prepared
and re-tested to confirm the original results.

Resolution of key
technical issues in
sensor mounting paid
off for this operation.
Ultimately, three sets of tests were performed. The third and final set was conducted at an actual air-separation facility. In
addition to revealing the efficiency of magnet mounting, the testing procedures clearly
demonstrated the importance of controlling
the metal-to-metal surface between the
magnet and the structure. Machine surfaces

Looking to refocus or revitalize
your maintenance program?
Looking to prepare for ISO 55001 certification?
Does your program currently:
P Lack confidence in its

P Lack the time to

P Lack strategic direction?
P Lack effective communication?

P Lack succession planning?
P Lack effective work planning

maintenance data?

complete all work?

and scheduling?

If you answered YES to any of the above,
call Ken Bannister at ENGTECH
ENGTECH Industries Inc-
successfully implementing usable asset management
programs for over 27 years-at (519) 469-9173
or email kbannister@engtechindustries.com
and let's talk maintenance!

Helping People manage People who Manage Assets!

50

| EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM

in the real world don't provide the ideal flatness, smoothness, cleanliness, and surface
finish necessary to achieve high-frequency
response with a magnet-mount accelerometer. The presence of a lubricant as a
coupling medium across the mechanical
interface between the magnet and the target
proved to be an extremely crucial element
of the attachment system.

IMPLEMENTATION
Resolution of key technical issues regarding
magnet-mounting techniques has paid off
well for the industrial-gas manufacturer by
improving vibration monitoring at multiple sites-and on many different types of
air-separation equipment. Benefits have
included:
 Reduction in unscheduled downtime:
Almost every week, the program identifies a condition that, if not corrected in a
timely manner, could have caused a plant
to go down.
 Increased equipment availability: Since
the program has been in place, equipment
availability at some plants has increased
by several percentage points.
 More-efficient use of personnel:
At each measurement location, the
quick-connect/disconnect mount
saves at least a minute compared with
stud-mounting. Multiply this by hundreds
of measurement points at hundreds of
plants every month and the result is a
considerable manpower savings over the
course of a year.
 Better use of vibration resources:
Because the improved PdM program runs
smoothly, vibration analysts are able to
spend their time resolving critical problems or doing proactive work to make the
entire network more efficient. EP
For more information, visit pcb.com/PdMProcess/Sensors-For-Monitoring-Gearboxes.

NOVEMBER 2017
http://www.engtechindustries.com https://www.pcb.com/PdMProcess/Sensors-For-Monitoring-Gearboxes http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Efficient Plant November 2017
