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One of the challenges facing plant instrumentation engineers today is the effective and reliable monitoring of thrust bearing wear in critical pump applications.  Typically pumps of this type are in continuous use and operational downtime is normally only permitted during planned outages.  Predicting the wear and hence requirement to replace the thrust pads, is essential to fit in with this regime.

 With rotational speeds between 3000 and 7000 RPM, protection against potential pump damage is also key, as excessive thrust wear can not only damage the bearing assembly but also the impeller, resulting in the plant potentially being out of action for 6 months or more.
 

One of the challenges facing plant instrumentation engineers today is the effective and reliable monitoring of thrust bearing wear in critical pump applications.  Typically pumps of this type are in continuous use and operational downtime is normally only permitted during planned outages.  Predicting the wear and hence requirement to replace the thrust pads, is essential to fit in with this regime.

 With rotational speeds between 3000 and 7000 RPM, protection against potential pump damage is also key, as excessive thrust wear can not only damage the bearing assembly but also the impeller, resulting in the plant potentially being out of action for 6 months or more.
 

The OG-Cube photoelectric sensor from sensor market leader ifm electronic Ltd provides high optical performance in a compact metal housing. The sensor offers reliable position detection in industrial applications such as conveying, packaging, material handling and automotive manufacturing.

The OG-Cube

What

Astrium, a 100% subsidiary of the globally leading aerospace company EADS, specializes in cosmonautics and space-based services. In Europe, the company employs about 11,000 staff members.

The focus of the Ottobrunn division Astrium GmbH is among other things on satellite ground station antennae and large measuring systems for satellite antennae e.g. for telecommunication, earth observation, science and navigation.

Pegler Yorkshire has overcome high summer temperatures in its radiator valve assembly line at the Pegler plant in Doncaster by installing Seeley International

Artesis, a leading supplier of intelligent predictive maintenance solutions, has launched the MCM System on a Card (SoC), a product for the OEM sector, bringing a highly efficient and easy to use tool suite that allows the fast and complete integration of Artesis

As part of the government Enhanced Capital Allowance ( ECA ) scheme, Parker domnick hunter energy saving compressed air drying products complete with Dewpoint Dependent Switching (DDS) have been added to the Energy Technology List ( ETL ) with effect from December 1st, 2008.

The ECA scheme for Energy Saving Technologies is a straightforward way for a business to improve its cash flow through accelerated tax relief, by encouraging investment in energysaving plant or machinery specified in the ETL which is managed by the Carbon Trust on behalf of the Government.

Andy Anthony, Operations Director with Monitran, discusses the importance of vibration sensor selection, placement and use for condition-based predictive maintenance.

In the December issue of Engineering Maintenance Solutions Donald Lyon, MD of Monitran, explained how cost-effective condition-based predictive maintenance (PM) strategies can be formed around the intelligence gathered from vibration monitoring and analysis.