Maintenance has come a long way from the days when we waited for things to break, and thanks to the ever-increasing capabilities of technology, predictive maintenance has become a viable solution for keeping equipment running smoothly and efficiently around the world. This is according to Suleyman Aydemir, Services VP for Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, who notes that 70 to 80 years ago, the concept of maintenance was all about reacting to problems as they arose, and fixing what was broken, often at the cost of lost time and productivity.
“This was known as corrective maintenance, which focused on addressing malfunctions. In those years, it was mainly about repairing equipment. Then the concept of preventive maintenance emerged, where the focus was on mechanical maintenance to prevent potential failures,” says Aydemir. “In the 1980s and early 1990s, as the electronic industry grew, preventive maintenance evolved to include predictive maintenance. This involved using electronic devices to measure and compare equipment performance, rather than just checking it annually.”
Digital and condition-based maintenance
He explains that over the last four to five years, industries have been providing predictive maintenance solutions to end users. Now the revolution in the industry is moving towards digital and condition-based maintenance. “Instead of going to the asset and manually measuring its status, we use continuous monitoring with digital sensors. The advantage of continuous monitoring is that it captures not just the equipment data, but also the environmental factors affecting it,” he says. “We measure data from the asset, including temperature and load characteristics. This data is analysed through algorithms to detect if a problem is approaching or has already occurred.”
Suleyman Aydemir.
He adds that when Schneider Electric trains its service engineers, whether they are based locally or in its connected service hubs that monitor data globally, the company’s priority is not just to address the current issues, but also to estimate whether a problem will occur soon – within the next three to six months. “Traditionally, customers would call us when they had a problem. But with the technology of online monitoring, we can now proactively reach out to customers and inform them that we have detected a potential issue before it becomes a problem. This is an innovative approach that helps increase the lifetime of the assets and minimise the cost of ownership,” he says.
Another example that Aydemir highlights is the use of digital twins. Instead of relying on traditional single-line diagrams or paper-based schematics, an entire electrical system can now be embedded into software. “With the digital twin, you can virtually model changes to your system, such as adding motors or transformers, or increasing loads. The software can then automatically calculate how the system will behave, and whether any additional functions or modifications are required,” he says. “Additionally, the digital twin provides detailed information about the specific components in your system. This eliminates the need to manually check component details, and helps you better design and plan for the growth and evolution of your electrical infrastructure.”
The journey from reactive to condition-based maintenance marks a significant shift in how organisations manage their assets. It is a testament to the advancements in technology and the growing recognition of the value of proactive management.
Schneider Electric’s Five-Pillar Strategy takes the guesswork out of equip Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Field Service Cycle, otherwise known as the Five-Pillar Strategy, is a structured approach to managing the lifecycle of equipment to prolong asset lifespan while reducing the total cost of ownership for customers.
Read more...Why utilities must prioritise maintenance of SA’s remote data Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
The story of power generation is more than meets the eye. Beyond energy distribution and the infrastructure are invisible, point of presence data centres located the remotest parts of our country that play a fundamental role in keeping systems running
Read more...Laying the groundwork in IT/OT
IT in Manufacturing
In the realm of manufacturing, the core mandate is to deliver value to stakeholders. For many in the industry, this is best achieved through a risk-averse approach. Only upon establishing a robust foundation should a business consider venturing into advanced optimisation or cutting-edge technological innovations such as industrial AI.
Read more...Looking into the future of machine vision Omron Electronics
IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant transformation in all areas of industrial automation, and machine vision is no exception. Omron’s AI-powered machine vision systems seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art algorithms, enabling machines to analyse and interpret visual data meticulously.
Read more...Driving digital transformation in the truck industry Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Tatra Trucks, a leading truck manufacturer in Czechia, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software including Teamcenter software for product lifecycle management and the Mendix low code platform to help increase production volume and strengthen its ability to manufacture vehicles that meet specific customer requirements.
Read more...Opinion piece: Digital twins in manufacturing – design, optimise and expand Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Digital twin technology can help create better products, fast. It can also transform the work of product development. This strong statement from McKinsey reinforces how far digital twins have come in manufacturing.
Read more...UPS systems are key to keeping SA’s automotive industry up and running Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
During loadshedding, PLCs and OT systems often fail, not because they are directly tied to the factory’s core manufacturing process, but because they are now an integral part of IT infrastructure. When an IT system shuts down, the impact is far more complex than simply restarting machinery.
Read more...Asset tracking is key to driving operational excellence and sustainable growth Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Asset tracking plays a critical role in the success of industrial businesses. By effectively managing and monitoring assets, companies can optimise their operations, ensuring that resources are used efficiently. This leads to improved productivity and reduced costs.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version