Maintworld Magazine 4/2020

PARTNER ARTICLE
Specialized mobile app AssetExpert for upgrading SONAPHONE devices for route-based
data capturing and onsite inspection and evaluation of asset health.
Modular software-hub SONAPHONE DataSuite with an overview of potential applications
during the maintenance process.
urement in the asset trap on the PC.
The basic structure can be adapted to
the KKS or RDS-PP designation system,
both of which are commonly used in
power stations. Photos and texts can
be stored with the test point. This also
makes the job of the user easier, as they
know how the sensor should be connected.
In order for the measuring point
to be clearly identified, an ID and the
type of comparison can be specified in
the system, e.g. via QR code.
Red alert?
The integrated traffic light function
shows immediately when threshold values
are exceeded. The monitoring of the
threshold values protects maintenance
staff from unpleasant surprises. The
threshold values are defined for the first
time by comparing them with the initial
measurement or with identical equipment.
If the status of a measuring point
changes from green to yellow or red, appropriate
maintenance measures must
be initiated.
After the maintenance planner has
created all inspection points, he creates a
specific work plan in the form of a route.
The routes can be put together individually,
e.g. filtered according to critical
measuring points or following a recurring
test plan.
From the PC to the test in the
power plant
Once the routes have been created
on the PC, they are transferred to the
SONAPHONE digital ultrasonic testing
device and are available for the technician
to process in the AssetExpert app.
Power plant areas can be systematically
walked through using the routes. If the
routes are well prepared, reproducible
measurements can be carried out quickly.
Has the condition of the steam trap
or the roller bearing changed? The
SONAPHONE provides the answers
directly on site. New measurements can
be compared with historical values and
the condition assessed. Depending on the
application, appropriate airborne and
structure-borne sound sensors are used
for the measurement. The ultrasonic signals
are displayed in the spectrogram and
level curves. In addition, images, voice
memos and texts can be added to the
measuring point.
Analysis is the be-all
and end-all
The route is then evaluated on the PC.
All measured values and context information
such as photos, text memos, etc.
that were recorded in a route are transferred
to the SONAPHONE DataSuite.
They are then available at a central point
for analysis tasks and documentation
purposes.
What should be done if the threshold
value is exceeded on a steam trap and
the traffic light switches from green to
red? First of all, the measuring point in
the SONAPHONE DataSuite should be
examined more closely. The data is visualized
in the level curves and in the spectrogram.
In order to evaluate the trap, it
is important to know which type of trap
has been tested, because steam traps
have different functional principles and
noise characteristics depending on the
type, manufacturer and installation location.
Depending on the interest, areas in
the spectrogram can be zoomed in and
important measurement settings, photos,
text and voice memos can be viewed
in the DataSuite. If the tester comes to
the conclusion that the steam trap is
defective, it should be replaced as soon
as possible.
With the introduction of the modular
software platform SONAPHONE Data-
Suite, SONOTEC brings a central hub
for the organization of maintenance
processes onto the market. The software
platform provides maintenance
engineers with the key figures on the
positive and negative development of
their equipment.
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