Buying capital equipment can be a large investment. In order to increase your return on this investment, it is imperative to monitor your equipment to keep it in the best shape possible. With consistent monitoring, equipment errors can be spotted quickly, reducing downtime, disruptions, and maintenance costs. Creating a monitoring system including a schedule, monitoring devices, and best practices can improve the lifespan of equipment and decrease costs needed for repairs and maintenance.
Using Monitoring Devices
Use a monitoring device to measure equipment performance. Choose a customizable monitoring device for unique equipment needs. Teams with frequently mobile crews will find portable devices helpful, such as the APEX™ accelerometer. This portable monitoring device can read real-time data on any equipment like speed, throughput, frequency, and more. For a more permanent tracking solution, an accelerometer like VERTEX™ can collect and report on data 24/7. Since all data is stored on this sort of sensor, technicians can read a quick overview of the unit performance on the spot.
Record data and receive alerts via smartphone. Portable monitoring devices that are connected to a vibration monitoring smartphone app via Bluetooth increase efficiency and analytic measurement capabilities. You can also choose a monitoring device and system package that includes text alerts, as some of the BARRIER™ packages do. When disruptions occur, text alerts are sent to the GK NOMADX® team for analysis. This way, problems can be addressed at any time of the day or night, so there are no surprises.
Best Practices for Scheduling and Reporting
Schedule regular preventive maintenance. Regular preventive maintenance goes hand-in-hand with consistent monitoring. Together, equipment performance is kept in line and in tip-top shape. Compared to reactive maintenance, or maintenance that is performed after a problem has already occurred, preventive maintenance minimizes downtime and increases efficiency. Equipment is kept in good condition and issues are addressed early to prevent safety hazards and production disruptions. Technicians and maintenance teams should have a regular maintenance schedule that includes periodic visual equipment inspections, checking for normal wear and tear or points of failure.
Review equipment performance reports periodically. Whether a smartphone app or web portal is used, it’s important to put together historical logs of recorded data in order to gain a clear picture of equipment performance. In some equipment monitoring services, field service teams may analyze, troubleshoot, and send back data with recommendations if needed. Technicians and operators must review reports periodically to make sure equipment is functioning optimally and according to specifications.
Equipment Monitors from General Kinematics
At General Kinematics, we designed our monitoring devices and services to help our customers get the most out of their equipment performance. That’s why our BARRIER™ product line meets unique monitoring needs, whether it’s portability, 24/7 data collection, or text alerts. To learn more about BARRIER and other monitoring options through GK, contact us!
