Upgrade brings extra layer of detection to precision acoustic imagers

To assist users in identifying and localising ‘mechanical areas of interest’ within short timeframes, Fluke has added a unique new feature to its ii910 precision acoustic imagers. The Firmware 5.0 update brings a MecQ facility to the imagers, which helps to minimise unplanned downtime and reduce repair costs by allowing early identification of possible mechanical problems. Energy savings are also attained by carrying out repairs early and reducing faults.

The update was developed following extensive research involving Fluke customers around the world in which maintenance specialists and technicians said their key focus was identifying issues as early as possible on the potential failure curve.

Examining various types of conveyor systems, the research showed that non-driven bearings are frequently the root cause of numerous mechanical faults. Because these systems are integral to the overall production process, lengthy downtime could greatly impact the factory and cause major issues along the supply chain. This applies in food and beverage production as much as it does in the logistics, electronics, automotive and mining/raw materials sectors.

Using the acoustic imager, the process of carrying out a non-contact inspection on conveyor systems is simplified considerably, with the unit identifying immediately via sound pattern comparison the locality of a mechanical area of interest. Once the issue is displayed on-screen, the maintenance professional can note it, share it with their team and address it on their maintenance schedule.

The update was developed to bring an extra layer of detection to the imagers in addition to taking a picture, taking a video, carrying out leak detection with LeakQ and partial discharge detection in PDQ mode.

Although the most common frequency for ultrasound instruments is 30kHz, the device now provides user-selectable frequencies from 2kHz to 100kHz and fixed multi-mode frequency bands of 15kHz, 20kHz, 30kHz, 40kHz and 60kHz to check various stages of bearing deterioration. The user can decide whether to turn these pre-set frequency bands on or off, depending on the environment.

Tako Feron of Fluke says: “Any member of a maintenance team will love the ease-of-use the new MecQ facility provides with its intuitive interface and seamless integration with existing leak and partial discharge detection tools. They will also appreciate the ability to boost efficiency, maximise uptime (by reducing meantime-to-repair) and lower costs while ensuring high safety levels through contactless inspection and the elimination of hazardous situations. Thanks to MecQ, the ii910 now enables maintenance engineers to locate a problem, annotate a screenshot, share that with the team and then schedule repairs during planned downtime. Having all these workflow enablement solutions built into a single tool is not only unique to Fluke, but the Firmware 5.0 upgrade has also simplified what could ordinarily be a highly complex and time-consuming inspection and maintenance operation.”

Feron adds: “It is important to remember that the ii910 with MecQ is designed to offer a first-line scanning solution that identifies an area of interest at scale for follow-up inspection.”