April 06, 2005
Asset Management 2005 Conference
SKF and Other Industry Leaders present – Asset Management 2005 Conference: A Global Vision for Optimized Reliability
SKF Reliability Systems will be hosting the Asset Management 2005 Conference May 10 - 13, 2005 at Loews Coronado Bay Resort in sunny San Diego. Asset Management 2005 is a global, interactive conference that will explore the culture and process changes needed to achieve immediate, yet sustainable results. The latest concepts, technologies, and tools for enhancing plant reliability will be highlighted during this conference. This will be a unique opportunity, for maintenance professionals to share insights on a wide range of relevant subjects such as asset management, condition monitoring, reliability engineering, and mechanical maintenance. Professionals from every major industry will explore a global vision for optimized reliability. This international event will provide a forum for our customers, executives and partners to collaborate in exploring one of industry’s most promising profit generating opportunities.
For more information please visit the conference website at http://www.am2005.com or call Concepts at: +1 888 602 3241 within the United States +1 760 602 3241 outside the United States
Email
Learn more about the Asset Management 2005 Conference online
April 06, 2005
Infrared Thermal Imaging Tip
Do you know your spot size to distance ratio?
A common question asked of users of a thermal imaging and measurement system or a non contact temperature is How far away can I accurately measure with this thing? This is a very good question.
There are many technical factors which determine this, such as the infrared detector size and optics and a very long discussion can be had explaining this. However, in simplistic terms, every non contact temperature measurement system has what is called a spot size to distance ratio.
This has been accurately determined by the manufacturer taking into consideration the IR detector and the appropriate optic.
First, at least with a thermal imaging system, objects can be detected at much further distances than they can be measured. But you must consider this spot size to distance ratio in order to insure you are actually getting accurate measurements.
The concept is rather simple. For any given system there is a ratio between the size of the target (in one dimension) and the furthest distance you can be from that target. It is a ratio, so the distance away from the target depends on the size of the target.
Example: if Camera A has a spot size to distance ratio of 250:1 with a 35mm optic, this means that if the target is 1 unit in size wide the furthest you can be is 250 units away and still get an accurate measurement. The unit to be used is the width of the target. If the target is 1 inch wide, the furthest you can be with this system and optic is 250 inches or 20.8 feet. If the target is 1 foot wide, then the max distance is 250 feet. If the target is 3 millimeters wide, the max distance would be 750 millimeters (250x3mm.)
You can reverse this ratio by dividing the distance by 250 to determine the smallest target you can resolve.
If you have a telescope attached, it will typically increase the ratio. If you have a wide angle optic, it will typically decrease this ratio.
What happens if you are beyond the calculated distance? You may be able to see the target but the temperature will appear cooler the further you are away.
Consult with your camera (or point measurement) manufacturer to determine the proper spot size to distance ratio for your system.
This tip provided by Electrophysics
Manufacturer of EZTherm and EZTherm Pro Cameras
http://www.electrophysics.com
Tel: 973-882-0211
April 06, 2005
Vibration Analysis Tip
Collecting Good Data Tip #1 – Test Locations
One of the most important aspects of data collection in a vibration or virtually any program is data quality and repeatability. If one cannot be certain that the data is good, one cannot be certain that the results based on that data are good either; garbage in equals garbage out, or so it is said. This is especially true if one is trending vibration readings in a Predictive Maintenance program.
The goal in a Predictive Maintenance program is to have repeatable readings, year in and year out, regardless of who collects the data. One of the first steps to accomplish this is to properly define test locations. The best available solution to this in a walk around vibration program is to mount sensor pads on the machine in the proper locations and create a diagram of the machine indicating where these test locations are and how the test pads are oriented. This will allow them to be properly replaced if they are knocked off.
The best place to locate these test pads are on rigid surfaces as close to the bearings as possible. Don’t places test pads on cowlings, motor housings or any other non-rigid structures. Test pads should be affixed using a rigid adhesive to assure good data transmission.
This tip provided by DLI Engineering
http://www.DLIengineering.com
Tel: 206-842-7656
