SKF Flexibility - Rewriting the Textbook on Plant Asset Management

SKF Flexibility - Rewriting the Textbook on Plant Asset Management The combination of SKF's GX Series portable maintenance instruments and Machine Suite software, offer a unique tailor-made solution for plant asset management. Chris Otto, Manager of SKF Condition Monitoring Products, outlines SKF's total solutions concept: "Our dedication to produce leading-edge technology hardware, highly flexible and sophisticated software, coupled with SKF's focus on "Value Based Solutions", are the reasons why SKF Condition Monitoring Products and Services rate as the benchmark in the industry." The recently launched GX Series Microlog is an advanced, modular, route-based condition monitoring data logger and field service instrument. The standard package will allow for on- and off-route data logging, analysis, and field balancing. A host of other capabilities are available and could be installed by the user within minutes after order placement by convenient electronic transfer. "No piece of hardware is ever complete without its software support, and SKF's Machine Suite provides a common software platform for easy, seamless integration of data from all mainstream SKF Condition Monitoring hardware platforms - ie Marlin, Microlog and On-line Systems. This software package is by far the most powerful of its kind, and its advanced flexibility makes perfect sense for users of all levels," says Otto. SKF's Remote Analysis Centre is another bottom line plus for the customer who, instead of having to employ a qualified analyst, will simply relinquish the collected machine data into the worldwide SKF Remote Analysis Network, where SKF expert analysts are available around the clock - every day of the year. The GX Series is part of the new generation Microlog® family and adopts a unique open-architecture approach. This enables the SKF Research Team to continue with the improvement of existing capabilities and the development of new application modules for every conceivable need of our customers, without the need of returning the unit to the factory to apply the developments and improvements SKF's entire range is based on the concept that technology should never dictate, but rather adapt to customer application requirements. For this reason we have built our portable systems on the Windows CE platform - enabling even more flexibility and adaptability to industry standard peripherals such as memory expansion and flash disks. With advanced mobile computing capabilities incorporating the latest 400 MHz Intel Xscale processor, the GX is a powerful unit: 1.Capable of taking fast, high resolution measurements. 2.eamless connectivity to the PC environment is provided by Microsoft's Windows CE.net operating system and USB communications 3.Large 64megabyte internal memory and digital storage options, guarantee problem-free operation. 4.Transflective ¼ inch, easy-to-read VGA display 5.Step-by-step on-screen instructions 6.Image display of actual machinery or transducer locations 7.Hard copy print-out to a field portable printer. The ruggedly designed GX is built for harsh industrial environments, with IP65 sealing against dust and water, and has been drop tested to 2m (6.5 ft) The modularity of the series allows customers the choice of a range of different testing and analysis applications. This revolutionary approach puts the customer fully in control of the price. "We have given every consideration to identifying plant requirements, and, key to the flexibility of our GX Series, is its advanced modular approach. By selecting only the applications they need, customers can now create an instrument tailored to their exact requirements. Should their needs change, further modules can be installed, ensuring a viable upgrade path without the need to invest in new hardware. Technology and systems must be flexible enough to meet immediate and future plant requirements and by merging the latest hand held computing technology with our comprehensive, flexible Machine Suite software, our total solution product will adapt to any environment", comments Otto. SKF's Machine Suite is a sophisticated and comprehensive software solution that integrates inspection, vibration and process data from multiple plant condition monitoring systems. The software is capable of managing data from several individual handheld instruments and permanently installed on-line vibration condition monitoring systems, allowing users to consolidate data and share machine information throughout the company. The software is a competitively priced enterprise solution with a number of key benefits: 1.Rapid and seamless incorporation of other capabilities such as Remote Route, Human Machine Interface (HMI) and TrendOil into existing systems 2.Integrated vibration, inspection, and process data manipulation Highly flexible definition and modification of alarms to address specific machines and processes 3.Self expanding database with unlimited data content storage Program Architecture based on Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) "plug-in" technology 4.True Multi-processing Operating Environment allowing simultaneous background and foreground processing 5.Generation of shared customised reports to enhance inter-departmental communications 6.Multi-client networks 7.Interface with SAP® and other Computerised Maintenance Management Systems SKF Machine Analyst also couples with @ptitude - SKF's advanced Industrial Decision Support System. This enhances your team's ability to keep plant machinery running at optimum efficiency. It systematizes the reliability maintenance decision-making process by automatically identifying probable faults with an asset or process, then prescribing appropriate action, enabling a consistent methodology among employees locally and globally.Otto says that the value of system modularity and flexibility can never be over-emphasized and that it is sound business practice to selectively purchase a flexible system with ample capacity for future expansion such as the GX and Machine Suite combination from SKF. Customers are no longer burdened with the routine expense of forced upgrades as the platform hardware is changed, but can enjoy economical software upgrades that truly enhance the system capabilities. In 2007 SKF celebrates 100 years of cutting-edge technology, brilliant innovation, the commitment of highly trained people to unsurpassed service, and dedication to our customers. "This solid base of people, technology, innovation and service, supports SKF's integrated condition monitoring solutions, which has been proven to enhance customers' profitability by extending machine service life and reducing overall maintenance costs for optimum plant efficiency," concludes Otto.