A technology that is catching on but not as prevalent as Laser Alignment and Vibration Analysis is "Thermal Imaging".
This tool is used to find "hot spots" on an operating system. It can be overheated wire connections in a switchboard or panel board, or a bearing on a turbine. In either case, the heat signature of the equipment is measured and recorded using a "gun" type device that emits an infrared band of energy. This infrared "reader" converts the data into a visual signature, complete and in color, designating the temperature of the spot being targeted.
In turning to the "Wikipedia.org"© website, the following quick explanatory paragraph may be helpful.
Infrared thermography (IRT), thermal imaging, and thermal video are examples of infrared imaging science. Thermographic cameras usually detect radiation in the long-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 9,000–14,000 nanometers or 9–14 µm) and produce images of that radiation, called thermograms. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero according to the black body radiation law, thermography makes it possible to see one's environment with or without visible illumination. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature; therefore, thermography allows one to see variations in temperature. When viewed through a thermal imaging camera, warm objects stand out well against cooler backgrounds; humans and other warm-blooded animals become easily visible against the environment, day or night. As a result, thermography is particularly useful to the military and other users of surveillance cameras.
The "hot spots" may be caused by various problems, either mechanical, electrical, or environmental in nature. For example, an overloaded motor will become "hotter" and an imaging reading may afford the customer the ability to either solve the overload or modify the production process to reduce the load. Or, in the case of an "electrical" signature, a "hot" wire connection may be an "overload" also, like the motor, or it could be a "loose connection" of the terminal lug. Certainly a "fixable" solution. Environmentally speaking, taking thermal images of the exterior (or interior) of your home can give you a real "picture" of the air infiltration of the windows and walls of the home. You may be able to find walls with "missing insulation" or windows with leaking weather seals.
All of these examples are simple in nature, but critical to factory operations and in cases like your home... money saved by solving energy wasting problems. So if you feel that "Thermal Imaging" might be a solution to one of your problems, give a call to our "Service Department" to schedule a service tech to visit your facility. If you just want to discuss the possibilities... call our "Sales Department" and see if we can help. We'll do what we can...!
Crane and hoist inspection services have come up a number of times and A.R.&E. personnel have been trained in the inspection of these devices. The inspection requirement by OSHA is real and needs to be accomplished for overhead devices on a routine and regular basis.
The services offered include (but are not limited to:
- Link chain inspection and verification
- Roller chain inspection and verification
- Wire rope inspection and verification
- Hook spread dimensions and verification
- Hook latch presence and operational characteristics
- Gearbox oil level (if available)
- Control cable and operator's station integrity
- Power cable connections and integrity
- Load brake operation and integrity
- Total operational integrity of hoist system
- Other miscellaneous tests and inspection
- Load test is available in "limited" instances
So if you have overhead cranes and hoists, you need to consider having A.R.&E. perform annual (and/or semi-annual) inspections. Inspection result details are recorded and submitted to your company for record purposes on company designed forms. These forms are also kept on file at our offices in Hagerstown, MD.
Give us a call to schedule your next crane inspection. We're here to help...