Page 60 - Hub-4 Magazine Issue 70

Quarrying
Don’t compromise on
vibrating screen health
How Partnering with a Technical OEM for Equipment Monitoring Can Help Your Bottom Line
By Wilm Schulz, Haver & Boecker Niagara service manager
Vibrating screens work at the heart of an operation; every ton of material must be screened at least once before it is loaded into a truck for sale. And just like the human heart, they need to be kept strong and healthy to do their job well.
Maintenance crews have a lot to take care of. From vibrating screens and crushers to conveyors and load trucks, the list is a long one. It’s tough to be an expert on every piece of equipment.
By partnering with a technical vibrating screen OEM that also specializes in equipment monitoring, operations can rely on a team that not only manufactured the equipment, but offers comprehensive diagnostic tools, product-specific knowledge and years of engineering experience. The result can be peace of mind, minimized downtime through faster problem solving, and lower repair costs down the line.
cloud service where it can be viewed from multiple devices. In addition to analyzing current machine performance, some systems also store historical data in order to predict the machine’s future performance and schedule maintenance accordingly. All of this data is used to fine-tune equipment for optimal performance and maximum output, as well as locate issues that could lead to larger repair costs or machine failure and unplanned downtime if not addressed.
While many vibration analysis and condition monitoring tools are available, only a small number are manufactured by a vibrating screen OEM, like Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Pulse Vibration Analysis. An OEM offers the benefit of having engineered the equipment, fully understanding its operational parameters, and providing in-depth analysis and recommendations.
An OEM should perform a vibration analysis on any new vibrating screen before it even leaves the factory. This provides a baseline for how the machine should run. At each service visit, vibration analysis should be used to better understand the machine’s condition before any repairs are made. Once technicians make necessary repairs, another vibration analysis should be completed to ensure the problem has been solved and to document that the machine is running at optimal condition once again.
The vibration analysis sensors themselves are something to consider. All vibration analysis systems require some sort of sensor — often magnetic — to be placed on the vibrating screen. Some are wired and require the user to stand within range while holding the connected device. Others are wireless, providing the safety benefits of allowing the user to stand farther away. A vibration analysis setup may include one sensor that must be moved to multiple parts of a machine for a full reading. Others save time by including multiple sensors, allowing for a comprehensive look at the entire machine at the same time.
Vibration analysis systems work similarly to a stethoscope — they analyze the machine at the moment in time at which it is being measured. Conversely, condition monitoring — sometimes called continuous monitoring — systems work more like a heart monitor, or perhaps an EKG. These systems include permanently affixed sensors for 24/7 monitoring. Some condition monitoring systems include automated alerts if problems are detected, allowing for a quick shutdown before the problem becomes potentially catastrophic. The
By partnering with a technical vibrating screen OEM that also specializes in equipment monitoring, operations can rely on a team that not only manufactured the equipment, but offers comprehensive diagnostic tools, product-specific knowledge and years of engineering experience.
Hard-Earned Experience
There’s a wide range of OEMs to choose from. While many have engineered reputable screening equipment, it’s important to consider the services they offer to take care of that equipment for the long run. One that has dedicated research and development focused on diagnostic tools, for example, will be that much further ahead in keeping that heart of the operation healthy.
Vibration Analysis & Monitoring
Vibration analysis is one such tool dedicated to measuring the health of vibrating screens. These systems measure and transmit real-time vibration data such as acceleration, orbit, deviations and more. The data is transmitted while the machine is in operation via sensors that are placed at dedicated locations on the screen body. The information is recorded to software in a phone, tablet or computer, or to a
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www.hub-4.com Sept-Oct 21 - Issue 70