Multilog DMx System

SKF has introduced the Multilog On-line System DMx, a multi-featured vibration monitor that is also intrinsically safe.  The system conforms to the API-670 standard and is therefore ideal for critical machinery, such as gas turbines, generator sets, motors, pumps and compressors in the Hydrocarbon Processing Industry (HPI), Power Generation, and other applications.

The Multilog DMx system combines both protection and condition monitoring functionality in a single device, providing continuous data acquisition to predict and prevent a failure, and machine protection to react to an alarm that may signify a potential catastrophic failure.  Certain features of the system are believed to be unique and patents are pending. 

The system’s modular design, distributed architecture and small footprint have advantages over traditional 19" rack systems.  The DMx can be installed within the hazardous area, meaning infrastructure requirements such as cabling, cabinets and isolation barriers are either removed or substantially reduced, saving time and money during installation.  The low power consumption requirements of intrinsically safe devices also provide energy savings when compared to control room monitor racks.

Multilog DMx has four dynamic input channels for vibration, axial thrust and dynamic pressure, with two channels for speed/phase measurements.  Local LED's indicate module status including system, transducer and alarm condition.  The DMx functions as an independent monitor or as a complete system connecting to plant-wide fieldbus infrastructure and SKF’s asset management tool - @ptitude Monitoring Suite.

SKF @ptitude Decision Support

SKF announces availability of SKF @ptitude Decision Support (@DS), a software program that functions as a knowledge repository to capture the decision process used by an organization’s personnel in dayto-day maintenance and operations activities.  @ptitude Decision Support enables a proactive approach to reliability by identifying faults and symptoms before they result in failure.  This enables a consistent maintenance methodology among employees throughout the organization – at the plant or local level or globally.

Using decision support assists experienced and new employees to confidently determine: What is the problem at the component level of the asset?  How serious is the problem?  How certain is the prognosis?  What action needs to be taken and in what priority?  What are the potential risks to productivity, quality, worker safety and the environment?

The system supplies enabling technology to assist staff in making and executing reliability decisions to optimize condition based maintenance.  @ptitude Decision Support captures and retains the knowledge of your most seasoned professionals for use by everyone, reducing the learning curve for new employees.  

Houghton LeRoy, ARC Advisory Group, commented, "Recent ARC Surveys have identified Condition Based Maintenance and Decision Support as important issues to many companies with good paybacks. These new SKF solutions should help customers address these issues."