The Importance Of Oil Analysis, Vibration Analysis, Thermography, TPM, RCM, And ISO 55000 In Predictive Maintenance

Maintenance managers / supervisors in industry are often asked to evaluate their current approach to maintenance and to explore what other tools and techniques are available to support the development of a new maintenance strategy. Modern Maintenance Practices (Total Productive Maintenance, Reliability Centred Maintenance and Condition Based Maintenance) are usually the favourites.

For your assignment please write a report in the manner of a literature review, evaluating maintenance techniques and practice within industry. The report should include the following items:

1. A review of the different measurement techniques used for condition monitoring. Within this section of the report, include (at a minimum) vibration analysis, oil analysis and thermal techniques. Include, in each case, how the equipment is used and on what applications. In addition, provide details of what faults could be detected.

2. A review of the two management techniques often used for maintenance strategy development, described below. Critically compare (use references from the literature) and contrast the two techniques including examples of where they may be used and the benefits which they are expected to deliver.

a) Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

b) Reliability Centred Maintenance (RC)

3. ISO 55001:2014 specifies requirements for an asset management system within the context of the organization; it can be applied to all types of assets and by all types and sizes of organizations. Conduct a detailed review of ISO 55000 and describe the main issues companies will need to understand relating to implementation. Issues such as planning and resource allocation should be included.
 

Overview of Oil Analysis

Oil analysis is a laboratory analysis of properties of lubricants, wear debris and suspended contaminants. Oil analysis is carried out during regular predictive maintenance to give accurate and meaningful information on machine and lubricant condition, by following the analysis sample over life of a given machine, a trend can be established which can assist in eliminating costly repairs. Tribology is the study of wear and tear in machinery. Tribologists regularly interpret or perform oil analysis data.

Oil analysis can be grouped into three groups:

1. Analysis of the properties of oil which include additives and those of the base oil.
2. Analysis of contaminants

• Machine wear debris analysis

From the results of oil analysis one can be able to tell how the equipment was used and the condition which it is in. Oil which has been in any mechanical equipment which is moving for a period of time  reflects the exact condition of that given mechanical equipment. In the motion process the moving parts comes into contact which each other resulting to wear and tear and introduces very tiny metal particles to the oil. Most of this metal particles remain suspended in oil due to their small size. Many combustion process products gets trapped in the circulating oil. As well as the oil might be exposed to the sources of contamination. Measuring and identifying these impurities clearly indicates the level of contamination of oil and the rate of wear of the moving parts (Davies, 2012, p. 87). Therefore the oil is used as the working history of the mechanical equipment. Oil analysis also proposes techniques which can be adopted to reduce contamination and accelerated wear. An oil can be able to show the presence of contaminants as well as if the appropriate lubricant was used. Oil analysis detects the following:

1. Lubricant misapplication
2. Oil contamination

• Bearing excessive wear

The major merit of oil analysis is that is able to anticipate problems and schedule repair works. The early detection of problems can

• Reduce repair costs.
• Prevent catastrophic failures
• Increases the lifespan of the machine
• Minimise non-scheduled downtimes.

There are various reasons to use oil analysis in the testing of the engines and they include, to determine optimum oil drain intervals. To find out if there are changes to the normal operations of the machines. To determine the interval in which the machines will require maintenance (Mannan, 2016, p. 316).

Oil analysis tests include:

• Particle analysing
• Viscosity
• Contamination of water
• Spectrography
• numbers neutralization

The figure below shows contaminants analysis and wear products analysis

 

Fig 1: contaminants analysis and wear products analysis

Vibration is a mechanical occurrence whereby oscillations occurs at an equilibrium point. The word vibration is generated from a Latin word vibrationem which means shaking. The oscillations can be either random or periodic (Fakher Chaari, 2016, p. 237).

Uses of Oil Analysis

Vibration analysis refers to the analysis of vibrations monitoring data in order to monitor the behaviour changes in rotating machines which are caused by misalignment, imbalance, bent shaft, and faults in gear drivers, mechanical looseness and the defects in rolling element bearings.

Causes and transmission of Vibration in vibration-analysis

• Components and machines vibrates in response to multiple pulsating forces known as excitation forces such as mass unbalance.
• The vibration magnitude depends on both the mass excitation forces and the system properties such as speed.
• The occurrence of vibrations can be used to find out the defects which arise from misalignments, defective design and mass unbalance. 

A vibration analyser is an equipment which is used for inspection and testing manufacturing production products, facilities, construction sites and product development laboratories. The equipment measures vibration for the purpose of maintenance of manufacturing equipment. The equipment is also used to evaluate the axis of rotation of a machine .In the case where there is rotational unbalance, the rotor may be replaced during the scheduled down time of the machine.

Data obtained from a vibration analyser generally identify parameters of vibration velocity, acceleration and displacement. Thus the vibrations are recorded with a very high level of accuracy (Holmberg, 2014, p. 163).

Vibration analyser devices which are portable offers mobility and accuracy and thus allowing measurements of vibrations which are to be taken conveniently and effectively. The figures below the vibrator analysers.

 

Fig 2: Vibration Analyser

Thermography refers to the process of using the thermal imager in order to detect heat which is emitted by an object. This technology allows the users to validate the normal operations and locate thermal anomalies which indicated the possibility of defects, faults or inefficiencies within a machine assets or system. Some of the areas where thermography has been applied in industrial include (Medsker, 5th, p. 65).

Electrical system in order to test overloaded circuits or fault connections

Mechanical equipment/apparatus to find out the possible bearing failures and abnormal warm motors.

Fluid systems to detect tank levels, line blockages and the pipe temperatures.

Even though the use of this method is considered to be very easy, the process of interpreting the images taken can be very complex and challenging (Marwala, 2014, p. 43).

Other applications thermography include:

• Coupling
• Steam traps
• Boilers and refractories
• Heat exchangers
• Bearings
• Roof and wall insulation.

Total Productive Maintenance is a maintenance program that involves concepts which are newly defined for maintain equipment and plants. The major objective of Total Productive Maintenance is to markedly increase the rate of production as well as the morale of employees, time and job satisfaction (Mannan, 2016, p. 611).

Total Productive Maintenance gets maintenance into the central focus as an essential and necessary part of any business. Currently Total Productive Maintenance is not regarded as a non-profit which the business involves in. Maintenance down time is scheduled as part of the manufacturing day and in some situations as an integral part of the manufacturing process. The aim of this is to hold unscheduled and emergency maintenance to minimal levels. 

Oil Analysis Tests

• Enable production of goods and services without reducing the quality of the product
• Reduce cost
• Avoid wastage in an economic environment which is quickly changing
• To ensure that the goods which are set to the clients are non-defective.

The aims of developing the proactive maintenance program were:

• Obtain a minimum of 90% Overall Equipment Effectiveness
• Be a position of machines even during lunch breaks
• Operate in a way that will ensure that there is no customer complaints
• Reduce the cost of manufacturing by 30%
• Achieve 100% success in delivering the products as per the client’s needs
• Create and maintain an environment which is accident free(Jaber, 2015, p. 65)
• Increase the suggestion by 3 time

Fig 3: PILLAR 1 - 5S

Motives of TPM	i. Adoption of an approach to the life cycle for improving the overall production equipment performance. ii. To achieve job Enlargement which will motivate workers and therefore improving productivity iii. Usage of small voluntary group’s activities which are used for identifying the possible equipment and plant modification (Medsker, 5th, p. 73).
Objectives of Total productive management.	i. Achieve zero breakdowns, zero accidents and zero defects in all the functional areas of an organisation ii. To ensure that people are involved in all levels of an organisation iii. Create different teams to reduce self-maintenance and defects.
Directs benefits of TPM	i. Increase overall plant efficiency and productivity ii. Corrects the customer complaints iii. Reduces the manufacturing cost by almost 30% iv. Reduces accidents in workplaces v. Follow pollution control measures
Uniqueness of total productive management	The uniqueness of TPM is, the operators are made to be involved in the process of maintenance
Indirect benefits of Total productive management	i. Improved employee’s morale and confidence ii. The working places are kept neat, attractive and clean iii. By working as a team it is easy to achieve the organisation goals. iv. Sharing of experience and knowledge is made possible v. The employees gets a feeling of owning the machines they are using (Niezrecki, 2016, p. 317).

Reliability centered maintenance is the process of finding out the most effective maintenance approach. The Reliability centered maintenance employs predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance, real-time monitoring, run-to-failure and the proactive maintenance methods is an integrated way to enhance  probability that a component or machine will be able to work in the expected way over its life cycle design with the minimal maintenance (Rades, 2015, p. 76). One of the major objective of RCM is to offer the given function of the organisation with the required availability and reliability by use of the lowest cost. 

Reliability centered maintenance is governed by set principles some of which are discussed below;

• Reliability centered maintenance is function oriented; RCM seeks to preserve equipment or system function.
• Reliability centered maintenance is system focused; RCM is greatly concerned with system function maintenance as compared to the individual component function
• It is reliability centered; RCM treats failure statistics in an actuarial way.
• Reliability centered maintenance acknowledges design limitations(Randall, 2015, p. 611).

The figure below explains the logic tree for Reliability centered maintenance.

 

Fig 4: Reliability centered maintenance logic tree

There many advantages which are associated with RCM such as:

• It is considered to be the most efficient maintenance program.
• By eliminating system overhauls the maintenance costs are lowered.
• Enhances the component reliability
• Reduces the occurrences of sudden equipment failures
• Incorporates the main cause analysis

• Potential savings are not readily seen by the management.
• RCM can have essential start-up costs which are associated with equipment needs and staff training.

Total productive maintenance refers to a strategy of improving productivity through  improved maintenance practices  such as maintaining equipment and plant functions for example the use of TPM in British petroleum while reliability-centered maintenance  has one major aim of preserve system function.in this system critical equipment and system must be regularly inspected regularly to ensure preservation for example NASA (Randall, 2015, p. 762).

ISO 55000 refers to an international standard which covers the management of physical assets. Initially PAS55 (public available specification) was published by British standard institution in 2004, The ISO 55000 assets management standard series was officially launched in January 2014.

The ISO 55000 series is made up of three standards:

ISO 55000 series provides definitions, standard terms, and assent management overview.

ISO 55001 refers to the specification for an effective, integrated asset management.

ISO 55002 offers a guideline on the implementation of such management systems (Stamboliska, 2015, p. 253). 

ISO 55000 Development

The development of ISO 55000 was developed by the ISO committee PC 251, which was having 26 countries participating and other 12 locations/countries participating as observers. The ISO 55000 was officially published in February 2014.

In June 2010 preliminary meetings were held in London, four formal meetings of PC251 committee were carried out in Melbourne Development of ISO 55000 13, Pretoria, Arlington and Prague in Czech Republic (Zhou, 2016, p. 56). The following were completed; two cycles of working draft, two cycles of committee drafts and the Draft International standards.

Assets are managed under the following principles as they were set in ISO 55000:

• Systematic
• Sustainable
• Systematic risk-based 15
• Holistic
• Optimal
• Integrated

Overview of Vibration Analysis

Below is the schematic diagram of the asset management principles:

 

Fig 5: Assets management principles schematic diagram.

There exist different level of relationship between different types of assets i.e. the physical assets, human assets, information assets, financial assets and other intangible assets which are the main focus on the standards (willes, 2014, p. 115). The figure below shows the relation of the various assets.

Fig 6: various asets relationships 55001 clauses

The clauses which are contained in ISO 55000 include;

1. Normative references
2. Scope
3. Terms and definitions
4. Context of the organisation
5. Planning
6. Leadership
7. Operation
8. Improvement
9. Evaluation performance
10. Support

Understanding stakeholders’ expectations and needs

In the process of implementing the ISO 55000, it is very essential for the organisations or companies to find out its relevant stakeholders and their requirements i.e. there expectations and needs as stated, obligated or implied. The + PAS55 4.4.8 which defines the legal and other requirements (Davies, 2012, p. 378).

Finding out the management system scope

It is very important for the organisation of companies which are intending to implement ISO 55000 to determine the of asset system management and be able to communicate to both the external and internal parties. That is to inform the parties of the implementation and how the implementation will affect the performance of the organisation. The clause PAS5 4.4 which clearly defines how the implementation should be carried out.

Actions  taken to address risks and opportunities

It is of great importance for the companies or organisations to find out the opportunities and risks which are associated with the implementation of ISO 55000.That is done to insure that the management system can be in a position to achieve the intended results (Chakravorti, 2013, p. 167). Realize opportunities for improvement and prevent the occurrence of undesirable effects. The clause which the companies should understand before implementation is +PAS55 4.3.1.

The organisation should come up with a plan on how to an action plan to address the risks and opportunities which are identified and in the areas of applicable to see how they can be implemented and integrated in the asset management system (Beebe, 2015, p. 76).

Company Leadership

Before he implementation of the ISO 55000 it is very important the company to evaluate its leadership from General, Management Commitment, Policy, Organizational roles, authorities and responsibilities.

The companies should evaluate the impact which the ISO 55000 will be having on its leadership hierarchy and come up with solutions on how they will handle those leadership challenges which will arise from the implementation.

Asset management systems

The companies will need to determine, maintain, improve and implement an assets management system according to the ISO 55000 requirements which include process required and their interactions (Ablameyko, 2014, p. 452). 

References

Ablameyko, S., 2014. Neural Networks for Instrumentation, Measurement and Related Industrial Applications. 2nd ed. London: IOS Press.

Beebe, R. S., 2015. Predictive Maintenance of Pumps Using Condition Monitoring. 5th ed. Auckland: Elsevier.

Chakravorti, S., 2013. Recent Trends in the Condition Monitoring of Transformers: Theory, Implementation and Analysis. 3th ed. london: Springer Science & Business Media.

Davies, A., London. Handbook of Condition Monitoring: Techniques and Methodology. 1st ed. 2012: Springer Science & Business Media,.

Fakher Chaari, 2016. Advances in Condition Monitoring of Machinery in Non-Stationary Operations: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Condition Monitoring of Machinery in Non-Stationary Operations, CMMNO'2014, Lyon, France December 15-17. 3rd ed. Sydney: Springer.

Holmberg, K., 2014. Operational Reliability and Systematic Maintenance. 4th ed. Texas: CRC Press.

Jaber, A. A., 2015. Design of an Intelligent Embedded System for Condition Monitoring of an Industrial Robot. 4th ed. Paris: Springer.

Mannan, S., 2016. Lees' Loss Prevention in the Process Industries: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control, Volume 1. 1st ed. London: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Marwala, T., 2014. Condition Monitoring Using Computational Intelligence Methods: Applications in Mechanical and Electrical Systems. 4th ed. London: Springer Science & Business Media.

Medsker, L. R., 5th. Hybrid Intelligent Systems. 3rd ed. London: Springer Science & Business Media.

Niezrecki, C., 2016. Structural Health Monitoring & Damage Detection, Volume 7: Proceedings of the 35th IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics. 4th ed. Berlin: Springer.

Rades, M. .., 2015. Vibration measurement. 4th ed. Chicago: Springer Science & Business Media.

Randall, R. B., 2015. Vibration-based Condition Monitoring: Industrial, Aerospace and Automotive Applications. 2nd ed. London: John Wiley & Sons.

Stamboliska, Z., 2015. Proactive Condition Monitoring of Low-Speed Machine. 3rd ed. London: Springer,.

willes, S., 2014. Prod & Oper Mgmt,2E. 6th ed. Paris: Tata McGraw-Hill Education.

Zhou, Y., 2016. Information Symposium Measurement and Control Techniques in Rolling: Luxembourg, 2 and 3 September 1981. 4th ed. Berlin: Elsevier