FEATURE MATERIALS HANDLING & CONVEYING
REMOTE MONITORING: why it is the way forward
One of the latest developments in asset management is remote monitoring. Mo Tarki of Konecranes discusses the positive impact it can deliver in the lifting equipment sector
SAFETY ALERTS
For added peace of mind remote monitoring and reporting is available with ‘safety alerts’. Focused on overloads, overheats and e-stops, this service refinement forwards an email and/or SMS notification soon after the event occurs. Information delivered in this way not only helps identify where the problem has emanated from, it ensures that prompt action can be taken if required. In terms of production statistics, peaks,
T
he significance of asset management within the cranes and lifting
equipment sector is well documented for obvious reasons: increased productivity, reduced downtime and improved operator safety being the main benefits an effective programme can deliver. Aligned with this have been advancements in OE and retrofit technologies, enhanced service and maintenance initiatives. Industry leaders such as Konecranes
who have pioneered work in the field of remote monitoring while investing heavily in the process, understandably believe there is a strong argument in favour. Remote monitoring or real time services is about pushing the boundaries and represents a quantum leap forward from both reactive and preventative maintenance programmes. The big difference is that in the real-
time world actions are based on the actual usage and condition data of equipment; it is about monitoring it 24/7. Using real time operational information ensures that customers can have the confidence to plan actions and make informed decisions regarding maintenance investments and productivity. However any system is only as effective as the type of information that is monitored, collated, reported and acted upon. Basically, usage data is broken down into the following areas:
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● Safety information: overloads, emergency stops and hoist over temperatures. ● Actual crane usage hoist motor starts, work cycles and running hours. ● Service life: designed working periods (DWP) - hoist brakes, machinery and structure.
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS Crane usage data is collected via a remote condition monitoring unit that relays information back to the host provider via a modem, both of which are installed onto the crane or lifting equipment. On arrival at the data bank information
is compiled into a variety of report formats that are accessed via the customer using a secure and password protected online portal. From the information collated customers should be able to assess an overall summary page that highlights the condition of equipment that is being monitored; Konecranes uses a traffic light system. From here there should be the ability to drill down to reports that enable comparisons to be made between items of equipment in terms of potential problems, safety issues and operational comparisons. Furthermore, specific operational information relating to an individual item of equipment should be displayable.
JULY/AUGUST 2015 | MATERIALS HANDLING & LOGISTICS
From the information collated customers should be able to assess an overall summary page that highlights the condition of equipment that is being monitored
valleys and trends in production become visual which can then be used to compare actual usage against intended design levels. This information can therefore be used to make improved decisions regarding maintenance spending and capital investments. From a safety perspective data can help uncover issues relating to operator behaviour while pinpointing specific equipment as not being suitable for the application to which it is being applied. Knowledge of actual usage data provides a higher degree of confidence by giving a clearer indication of remaining design life of components, the timing of required planned maintenance shutdowns and financial investments that might be prudent in terms of equipment upgrades.
THE BENEFITS
It is against this backdrop that the overall effectiveness of remote monitoring is best summed up from the benefits that it has the capacity to deliver already. With further advancements on the
horizon such as real-time diagnostics, production monitoring and periodic data reporting, it is a developing and dynamic field offering: ● increased safety of lifting equipment ● exposure of unsafe/abusive operating practices prior to an incident occurring. ● the ability to predict when a critical component is nearing the end of its designed lifetime. ● enables maintenance activities to be optimised as they can now be planned based on real usage.
Konecranes T: 0800 987 0188
www.konecranes.co.uk Enter310
/ MATERIALSHANDLINGLOGISTICS
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