Predictive maintenance flexibility

Automatic report generation Report generation will be an important part of the predictive maintenance program. Maximum flexibility in format and detail is important to program success. The system should be able to automatically generate reports a multiple levels of detail. As a minimum, the system should be able to report ... 

The PLC and microprocessor controls have enhanced the flexibility and versatility of the hydraulic press. Virtually any function on the press can be programmable if so wanted. Force and velocity rates can not only vary but also be displayed as a function of time or position to provide results that previously were not economically possible. Presses and press systems can be interfaced with management information systems for production reporting, data acquisition, statistical process control, or predictive maintenance purposes. In addition to being easy to use, these controls are truly beneficial. 

The second question asked what would be an excessive temperature for this process. It was recommended that process hot spots (i.e., zones higher than 100°C) should be avoided. This requirement was met by keeping the heating lines, the walls of the melting pot, and the spray head thermally jacketed to maintain the appropriate internal soak temperature. As a result, the model presented a potential for hot spots at the skin surfaces of the lines and equipment walls. This needed to be investigated for its decomposition potential, and in fact, after several batches were processed, the flexible heat-traced lines had to be discarded because of a buildup of a blacked residue on the inner tubing walls. The kinetic model predicted how many batches could be run before this necessary replacement maintenance was required. 

Fennerty A, Dolben J, Thomas P, et al. Flexible induction dose regimen for warfarin and prediction of maintenance dose. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984 288(6426) 1268-70. 

Table 1.4 lists the priority R D needs that were identified for burners, boilers, and furnaces. Essentially all of these needs require some amount of testing. These needs were generated from the following end-use requirements increased system efficiency reduced NOx, CO, CO2, and particulate emissions increased fuel flexibility more robust and flexible process control and operations better safety, reliability, and maintenance lower capital and operational costs faster, low-cost technology development and enhanced system integration. Coupled with these needs are some barriers to improvement financial risk, inability to accurately predict the performance of new systems, lack of industry standards, and the wide gap that often exists between the research done at a small scale that needs to be applied to industrial-scale systems. Testing is often required to address some of these barriers. 

Reliability and maintainability analysis, based on breakdown, repair, and periodic maintenance statistics obtained for each plant item (or even on sensible guesses from experienced people). In conjunction with economic data, the model is used to predict plant availability and economic performance while taking into account the probability of failure of individual components and the repair time. The model may be used to make optimum choices on the provision of standby equipment, equipment enhancement, operational flexibility enhancement (including optimizing the period between overhauls), maintenance facilities, intermediate tankage or stockpile capacity, and capacity margins for individual equipment items. 

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