“The installation of a condition monitoring system that provides valuable insight into machine and equipment health is always a smart move,” states SKF Connected Technologies Manager, John Storm. “The benefits associated with early fault detection, and the subsequent prevention of potential premature machine failure through proactive maintenance scheduling, can be measured within the economic frameworks of both time and money.”
“The adage, ‘forewarned is forearmed’, is highly appropriate here,” continues Storm. “Carrying out maintenance before a problem occurs garners a raft of positive outcomes – prolonged machine availability, optimised rotating equipment performance and an efficient, smooth-running operation, which all boil down to maximised uptime and production, achieving the ultimate goal of sustained business profitability.”
The monitoring of machine and equipment health and performance cannot be easier or simpler with the versatile SKF Multilog IMx-8 and IMx-16Plus devices. “While compact in size, these two systems are big on performance with more functionality and flexibility compared to larger units,” notes Storm. These complete 8- and 16-channel condition monitoring systems also provide direct access to world-class SKF software and specialist analytics. Through cloud-enabled services, users are able to diagnose faults and visualise data, as well as tap into unmatched condition monitoring expertise by connecting to the SKF Cloud and engaging directly with SKF experts whose professional support helps to optimise rotating equipment performs.
Once the data has been gathered by the system’s sensors, it is automatically stored and shared on the SKF Cloud for analysis by SKF Remote Diagnostic Services. On the back of reports and expert recommendations and advice on how to correct existing or impending conditions, users are able to schedule any required maintenance during planned shutdown.
The Multilog systems also provides data to the customer’s historian (data store) for machine learning algorithms and analytics.
Ideally suited for applications such as mechanical and fluid power trains, these SKF Multilogs bring sophisticated yet economical, fit-for-purpose condition or health monitoring solutions to a wide industrial user base that includes mining, wind energy, marine, and a plethora of processing sectors.
With respective 8 and 16 analogue and 2 and four digital channels or inputs as well as improved Modbus TCP/IP and Modbus RTU capabilities, the SKF Multilog IMx-8 and IMx-16 offer multiple and simultaneous synchronous measurements on all channels. The units are equipped with Ethernet and RS 485 communication options. Easy wireless connectivity to mobile devices and networks facilitates configuration and monitoring via Bluetooth, using existing machine template configurations stored in the SKF Cloud. Real-time machine data is displayed on a mobile device.
In stand-alone mode, the SKF Multilog units can be used without the need for connection to a central software system or external data communications. The devices continuously measure and store machine data for later analysis, with real-time alarm indication. Equipped with a 4 GB of internal memory, the Multilog systems are capable of storing a year’s worth of machine data. Storm points out that this is particularly beneficial for remote applications where routine site maintenance visits are infrequent. Moreover, following a critical event, data is easily accessed for analysis. Bluetooth configuration and data access in stand-alone mode can be carried out via iOS and Android apps.
The IMx-16 features built-in LTE/GSM mobile data and Wi-Fi capabilities as alternatives to hard wired Ethernet. In addition to the standard capability for the analogue channels to accept a range of vibration transducers, channels 9 to 16 support
directly connected PT1000, temperature sensors.
From monitoring a single machine or an entire plant, the unparalleled flexibility of the IMx-8 and IMx-16 enable users to integrate and expand as required. As part of SKF’s renowned and popular IMx-32 channel machine health monitoring platforms, the IMx-8 and IMx-16 integrate easily with other IMx products and systems. Ethernet power and communications and the app-based configuration interface further facilitate installation and most users can set up the system with little or no previous experience.
These extremely compact Multilog devices (i.e. the same size as an A5 paperback book) pack a powerful condition monitoring punch. Fitting seamlessly into smaller spaces such as instrumentation cabinet enclosures, the units serve space-restricted applications such as small-size marine thruster pods or direct-drive wind turbines where instruments often need to be located as close as possible to the monitored machinery.
The world-class SKF IMx range’s reputation for delivering reliable, efficient performance has earned customers’ confidence that these machine monitoring solutions will meet their needs even within the toughest industrial environments. Storm concludes, “Equipped with new features and more functionality, these innovative IMx-8 and IMx-16 units offer a condition monitoring solution that conveniently places a complete picture of machine health at the customer’s finger tips.”
