Predictive or condition-based maintenance (CBM) promises us the moon. By monitoring certain conditions (such as vibration, temperature and the quality of lubricants) we presumably can predict forthcoming equipment problems and prevent these from happening. Predictive maintenance would also lower the overall maintenance cost as it reduces the need for regular, preventative maintenance. Consequently, it would also increase the availability of the equipment. What more could we ask for?
Expensive, I hear you say? Impossible? If we may believe all gurus, the IoT and Big Data will be the answer to all of it. And at relatively low cost too. Well, get to it, then. (more…)