Condition monitoring gets flexible

30 September 2019

A new digital vibration monitoring solution helps enable smart condition-based maintenance practices.

SKF Enlight ProCollect is a new portable vibration monitoring solution designed to help companies adopt smart condition-based maintenance approaches, or for those seeking to extend their machine monitoring programs to a wider range of assets.

The solution incorporates an updated version of SKF’s rugged QuickCollect hand-held sensor, together with SKF Enlight ProCollect – a new mobile app. Running on a standard iOS or Android device, ProCollect has been designed to simplify the collection, interpretation and communication of both operational and machine condition data. The new software links seamlessly to SKF’s Enlight Centre, a web-based monitoring platform.

Enlight ProCollect allows frontline operators and maintenance personnel to incorporate vibration monitoring tasks into their everyday activities. For example, pre-programmed inspection routes can be downloaded from Enlight Centre to a ProCollect device, which will then guide the operator through the steps necessary to collect data. That data is then transferred automatically to the Enlight Centre platform, where it can be analysed and visualised.

Pre-programmed alarms can be used to help operators and maintenance staff diagnose and fix common problems on the shop floor. The visualisation capabilities of the Enlight Centre platform, meanwhile, allow companies to generate dashboards that provide an overview of plant performance.

That helps them to make better-informed maintenance decisions that deliver on their business objectives. Maintenance teams can use the platform’s suite of advanced tools to spot trends, diagnose problems and conduct root-cause analyses. Users also have the option of a connection to SKF Remote Diagnostic Services.

Customers can opt to buy the solution outright or choose a subscription approach that provides all the hardware, software and support services they need for a fixed monthly fee.

“Our subscription model allows companies to shift the cost of maintenance programme improvements from CAPEX to OPEX,” explained Barrie Rodgers, product line manager – Mobile Solutions at SKF. “They can easily extend their agreement to include other equipment and services – such as bearings or lubrication.”