What is predictive maintenance. The need for predictive maintenance

1. What is predictive maintenance?

Predictive maintenance has an English name, Predictive Maintenance (PdM), also known in Vietnamese as predictive maintenance or predictive maintenance, they are the same thing.

Predictive maintenance is also defined as “the use of data analysis tools and techniques to predict possible abnormalities in equipment operations or possible failures before lead to damage.”

Predictive maintenance is the process of monitoring the actual condition of equipment, in order to predict when a failure will occur in order to conduct maintenance before it occurs.

The purpose of this process is to help manufacturers and businesses reduce maintenance-related costs, limit unplanned maintenance, reduce maintenance frequency and production risks.

2. Common predictive maintenance methods

To predict possible failures in the future, finding the right methods is most important.

The method must ensure a combination of predictability and provide adequate time for maintenance.

Just have to combine the hardware to monitor the devices and the software to output the order of the remediation process

Here are the methods predictive maintenance includes:

• Vibration analysis: used for heavy machinery, manufacturers use vibration sensors to detect signs of deterioration when the machinery is in operation.
• Thermal imaging: also known as infrared technology, is used to detect hot spots when the device is operating. Spotted spots mean the parts are getting too much friction.
• Acoustic and ultrasonic analysis: this technique uses acoustic signals to detect small cracks and broken welds, before they are visible to the naked eye. These faults will cause gas or liquid leaks.
• Oil analysis: Oil analysis is the inspection of the amount of debris in equipment that uses oil. The more metal debris in the oil, the greater the sign of wear.

3. Pros and cons of predictive maintenance

Advantages of predictive maintenance

• Predictive maintenance helps businesses devise methods to repair and improve machines quickly before machines fail.
• Fix unexpected problems that cause activities to stop.
• Extend the life and performance of equipment and machinery based on repair and maintenance activities.
• Reduce costs to pay for maintenance and repair of equipment and machinery.
• It is a lever to promote and increase the revenue of the business.

Limitations of predictive maintenance

• Initial investment costs are quite expensive, even higher than the estimated cost of installing technology
• Requires highly skilled human resources for the most accurate data analysis
• Spending a lot of time training and instructing staff to learn how to apply predictive maintenance
• Doesn’t work for all different machines, some of your tools will be suitable for other maintenance strategies such as: preventive maintenance or reactive maintenance.

4. Areas where predictive maintenance is needed

Manufacture

Manufacturing operations always require large-scale tools and equipment, all of which are very expensive.

When equipment and tools encounter problems, the entire operation of the business will also be stopped, causing great losses.

Therefore, the application of predictive maintenance is essential that businesses and manufacturers should equip.

Energy

Energy must include power plants, the supply of electricity from the plant to users and in production must always be provided continuously.

So unexpected maintenance keeps the supply uninterrupted. Thereby contributing to increase profits and revenue.

Food

In the field of food, safety, quality and hygiene are always the top criteria that this industry is aiming for. In order for the products to fully meet the above criteria, the equipment and machinery must meet quality standards.

Therefore, predictive maintenance is used by many businesses to ensure and maintain the operability of food production and preservation equipment and tools.