Unlike in past decades when maintenance was somewhat hit-and-miss, the wide availability of advanced solutions today means that equipment owners can progress from reactive to more proactive maintenance programs backed by real-time analytics.
You may have heard the terms “Predictive Maintenance,” or “PdM” and even “CMMS” thrown around in maintenance or engineering circles and you’re wondering if these technologies can take your maintenance systems to the next level. Well, in this post, we hope to introduce you to the essentials of these technologies, show you how they work together, and then discuss some of the great benefits that these tools can offer you no matter the industry your business is involved in.
Predictive Maintenance (PdM): The Basics
PdM is a maintenance strategy that uses the real-time information generated by an asset to determine its health. Based on the data generated by condition-monitoring sensors, it compares parameters like heat, vibration, noise, etc with historical information and then gives you warnings about any deviations to enable your team preempt functional failure of the asset.
In other words, this system uses statistical and predictive models to compare patterns of machine behavior and then tries to predict when failure is most likely to occur.
Ideally, the period between potential and functional failure of the machine gives you enough time to arrange for the required resources (e.g. labor, tools, PPE, spare parts, etc) that will be needed for maintenance intervention.
This process minimizes downtime since it begins to detect problems while the equipment is still running. Predictive maintenance relies heavily on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and machine learning. Problems in the equipment are detected through different condition monitoring techniques like vibration analysis or oil analysis, etc.
However, the amount of data generated by condition-monitoring sensors can be overwhelming depending on the type of machines in question. That’s why pairing a PdM program with a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) places your team in the best position to get the most value from predictive maintenance.
That takes us to the next point.
PdM And CMMS
If you’re not yet using a CMMS, trying to make the leap to implementing PdM will likely end in futility. Aside from the monitoring sensors, a CMMS is arguably the most important requirement you’ll need to ensure the success of your PdM program. A CMMS will allow you to analyze the incoming data and then create and run your PdM program alongside other maintenance programs you may choose to deploy by automating the scheduling and tracking of all maintenance activities.
Essentially, all the information coming out of your assets regarding their condition will pass through the sensors, which will then transfer that information to your CMMS.
A CMMS uses PdM technology to optimize your maintenance operations in several ways such as:
- Automated work orders – An advanced CMMS can be configured to automatically generate work orders when an alarm is triggered based on incoming data from the sensors, e.g. an increase in vibration.
- Better budgeting – Gaining insight about when a piece of equipment is likely to fail or reach the end of its useful life allows you to more accurately provide for those expenses in your budget.
- Improved asset maintenance – Using a CMMS to track equipment-related data puts you in the best position to understand the overall health of all assets. You can also generate automated and detailed reports to help you make better decisions to maximize uptime, reduce machine life cycle losses, and life cycle costs.
- Mobile CMMS – service technicians can access maintenance data on the field and report any issues in seconds using a mobile device. They can also receive PdM alerts and notifications wherever they are.
How Can Axxerion CMMS Help You?
Are you currently dissatisfied with your maintenance performance? Or maybe you feel that your organization can do much better in improving asset reliability? Then PdM may just be what you need to turn things around.
Schedule a demo today and let’s guide you through the process. You’ll be glad you did!
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