Improving asset reliability with intelligent, portable asset condition monitoring

Portable equipment condition monitoring options for routine walk-throughs, periodic inspections, and equipment troubleshooting aren’t what they used to be. Today’s tools are smarter, more efficient, and more capable at detecting subtle patterns and issues that jeopardize asset health, enabling predictive maintenance to improve reliability and availability. Recent innovations span mechanical, electrical, oil, material surface, and instrumentation condition monitoring.

Targeted approaches

Irregular or abnormal condition results provide clues to underlying issues in assets and systems. The new VibWorks LT entry-level vibration data collector announced by LUDECA is BETAVIB’s latest portable solution. This user-friendly and cost-effective condition monitoring solution enables high-quality vibration data acquisition and AI-based analysis. It also generates reports with a single click, facilitating documentation and regulatory compliance.

The device leverages “advanced AI technology for real-time data collection and analysis, dramatically improving maintenance decision-making,” says Mario Rostran, product manager for VibWorks LT at LUDECA. “Our system’s intelligent anomaly detection predicts potential problems before they escalate, providing actionable solutions to streamline troubleshooting.”

FOTRIC’s new P7MiX AcouTherm camera integrates professional thermal and acoustic imaging, enabling multi-angle inspection and increased efficiency. During electrical or industrial inspections, current-induced heating equipment such as bus bars and clamps emit significant heat when malfunctioning, making them suitable for thermal imaging cameras, explains application engineer William Tsai. Conversely, voltage-induced heating equipment such as insulators and couplers emit partial discharges that can be detected by acoustic imagers.

“In addition, simultaneous thermal and acoustic imaging helps validate defect identification. Acoustic imagers are often used at industrial sites to detect gas leaks, but background noise can be distracting. Thermal imaging helps confirm the results,” Tsai adds.