Spectro Scientific is a global leader in oil analysis technology, offering advanced solutions for efficient lubrication management across industries. Initially catering to laboratories, Spectro Scientific expanded to deliver on-site testing equipment for faster, more accessible results. Their technologies, such as portable analyzers, serve sectors like defense and power generation, enabling proactive maintenance and supporting critical machinery reliability with predictive insights. Through these advancements, Spectro Scientific is reducing downtime, extending equipment life, and enhancing environmental sustainability.
What does the future hold for oil analysis innovation?
LISA: Oil analysis is a crucial component in the broader condition monitoring framework. It pairs effectively with techniques like vibration analysis. These methods complement each other, forming a comprehensive monitoring program that reveals the 'lifeblood' of a machine’s health. Oil analysis can uncover underlying issues and help predict maintenance needs, enhancing equipment longevity and operational efficiency.
What limitations exist in traditional oil analysis, and how has on-site oil analysis evolved?
LISA: Traditional oil analysis usually involves sending samples to a lab, which can be time-consuming. Working in a third-party lab for 11 years, I recognize the value of in-depth analysis there. However, on-site analysis offers significant advantages, especially in terms of time. Having immediate access to equipment, such as viscometers or spectrometers, allows for real-time data assessment, which can be quickly relayed to relevant personnel. This immediacy is crucial in enabling faster decision-making and preventive maintenance.
Can you explain the challenges with setting alarms in oil analysis and how alarm fatigue affects maintenance?
LISA: Alarm fatigue is a common issue, where constant alerts lead to desensitization. When users receive numerous alarms many of which may not indicate critical problems they often ignore or disable them. This is detrimental because critical issues may be overlooked. In condition-based monitoring, systems like Spectro Scientific’s TruVu 360 are designed to set tailored alarm thresholds, which can significantly reduce non-urgent notifications, helping users focus on essential alerts and improve response efficiency. Alarm fatigue is a well-known challenge across industries, and effective alarm management is a key step in optimizing oil analysis.
How do users determine appropriate alarm settings for oil analysis?
LISA: A common question is, 'What values should be set for water, particle count, or iron levels?' Standards like those from ASTM, provide statistical frameworks that aid in establishing meaningful alarm thresholds. Leveraging historical data, organizations can set alarms that are not only specific but also relevant to their equipment’s operating conditions, allowing for a data-driven approach to predictive maintenance.
How should companies justify the investment in on-site oil analysis equipment to management?
LISA: One way is by analyzing failures—learning from them rather than letting a valuable learning opportunity go to waste. When a failure occurs, it’s critical to determine whether oil analysis could have provided early warnings. Understanding the data needed to prevent similar failures can demonstrate the return on investment for on-site oil analysis. Whether it’s preventing a functional failure or a catastrophic loss, the data gained from oil analysis can help inform better preventive actions and ensure operational reliability.
How does TruVu 360 enhance the oil analysis process?
LISA: TruVu 360 addresses the limitations of reactive maintenance by shifting towards predictive insights. Instead of analyzing lagging indicators, TruVu 360 enables users to monitor factors like wear and contamination, helping them identify potential issues before they lead to failure. By adjusting sampling frequency and focusing on specific data points, this approach not only extends oil life but also helps manage maintenance costs effectively.
About the Speaker:
Lisa Williams, AMETEK Spectro Scientific’s Digital Product Manager has over 15 years of expertise in reliability engineering and lubricant analysis. An STLE member and Certified Lubrication Specialist™ (CLS), Lisa also holds MLA I and LLA II certifications from the International Council of Machinery Lubrication. She actively contributes to the field as Chair of the In-Service Lubricant Testing Committee at ASTM D02 CS96 and continues to play a key role as the technical lead on ASTM Standards related to lubricant condition monitoring techniques, applicable in the lab and in the field. With a results-focused approach, Lisa is a driving force in advancing lubricant testing and reliability practices.