Compressor Monitoring

We are cognisant of the fact that solving compressor maintenance issues instantly is such an important contributor to customer success. We have since placed uptime at the heart of our compressor monitoring strategy across Southern Africa. Using digitalisation tools, such as our Real Time Monitoring technology, as one enabler of improving efficiency, we have an extended enterprise view to be even more proactive in the support of our customers.

How Does Compressor Monitoring Work?

An attached monitoring device on each compressor enables us to actively monitor machine running hours, as well as other crucial operational parameters. Connected machines hold huge potential as an enabler to streamline processes, monitor in real time, in order to respond to any issues instantly to maximise uptime.

This technology provides significant benefits to both our customers and us. Our customers experience less compressor downtime, as we are able to react quickly and efficiently to any issues that may arise. For us, it allows for proactive rather than reactive compressor maintenance, which reduces costs associated with unplanned downtime.

Compressor Condition Monitoring

In today’s operating environment, any unnecessary compressed air downtime is money down the drain. Compressor condition monitoring allows our service personnel to anticipate a potential compressor failure and take action accordingly. We believe it’s better to be down for a short scheduled time to replace a worn part than to have a failure that requires an unknown amount of downtime. Time is money, and the importance of fore-warning about potential mechanical failure on your compressor cannot be stressed enough.

We take the opportunity to conduct air compressor condition monitoring during major compressor services. An oil sample and vibration readings are taken at specific reference points on the compressor air end and motor. Oil samples are sent to condition monitoring specialist, WearCheck, where the oil is checked for integrity, as well as for microscopic particles.

Preventing Air Compressor breakdowns before they happen

We continuously have cases where potential machinery failure is detected early through condition monitoring, and corrective action is taken to remove the faulty part and either repair it or replace it. The old adage “forewarned is forearmed” springs to mind – if you know that a component is about to fail, you can then avoid the extremely costly unplanned downtime when it would have actually failed.

What are some advantages of using digital tools for compressor monitoring?

Some advantages of using digital tools for compressor monitoring include:

• The ability to actively monitor machine running hours, as well as other crucial operational parameters.
• The ability to unlock predictive maintenance.
• The ability to provide significant benefits to customers, such as less downtime.
• The ability to reduce costs associated with unplanned downtime.

What are the benefits of using digital tools for compressor monitoring?

The benefits of using digital tools for compressor monitoring could include:

• Greater accuracy and detail in data collection than if manual methods were used.
• Data collected can be easily stored, sorted, and analyzed as needed.
• Automatic alerts or notifications can be generated if predetermined conditions are met. (e.g., a part needs replacing before failure occurs)