logo+white-168w
FREE CONSULTATION

Condition Based Monitoring – An Idea

Steep Management

Condition Based Monitoring – An Idea

Utilizing new tools for predictive maintenance

From some of the folks, I know in the lift maintenance world what I am about to share is probably not news, but to many, I suspect it might be. The logic of it, I think, will resonate with all. The challenge is to see the upside versus the investment of money for either outside firms or equipment and time for training. My take is that given the state of the labor market, and the demand to utilize lifts for summer activities anything that can be done to be predictive of maintenance requirements is a step in the right direction.
The essence of this concept is that data is collected over time relative to a component of a lift, drive, gearbox, or coupling as examples. The continuous monitoring of that data gives you the ability to see what is happening. Putting my salesman hat on, MountainOffice provides the ability to capture that data as a value record in the system with the system providing alarms when a data point goes beyond the limits you set. More importantly, what data points should you be collecting and what technology or services do you need to collect the needed data points.
This aspect of maintenance is called Condition – Based Maintenance or CBM. The following are tools of CBM:
  • Vibration Analysis – vibration sensors, permanent or handheld;
  • Infrared (IR) – IR cameras to detect high temperatures
  • of utilized motors;
  • Nondestructive Testing (NDT) – ultrasound used to detect cracks in welds, corrosion of pipes, or the thickness of metals;
  • Ultrasound – used to detect leaks of gases or a vacuum;
  • Oil Analysis – measure particles/sampling;
  • Electrical – motor current analysis;
  • Operational Performance – sensors throughout a system to measure performance
For sure some of these you are using today such as oil analysis and of course NDT, but probably using Magna flux versus ultrasound. Today we can utilize IOS and Android devices to capture thermal readings, vibration, and infrared readings for relatively low investment. (These are not as precise or accurate as specially made tools.) Ultrasound requires special equipment and software, but the entry price is not off the charts.
A case in point might be the over lubrication of electric motors. Here is an example of over lubricating, which could be detected by an ultrasound test of the motor, a newish CBM approach called Acoustics Lubrication.
“When inflection points are not adhered to, lubrication continues with possible adverse effects from over lubrication, such as premature bearings failure due to high temperatures, blown grease seals due to excessive internal pressure and possibly grease getting into the armature of the motor. The photo shows a motor that ran inefficiently for several months due to grease working its way into the stator body and rotor assembly. Eventually, grease was distributed into the windings.

Acoustic lubrication is the use of a high-frequency receiver or translator to detect sound that may relate to the condition of a motor bearing prior to lubricating the motor bearing. ‘


Here is a link to more information about this concept, Acoustic Bearing Lubrication. There could be many applications for a ski lift where bearings are a significant player in the well being of the ski lift operation.

 

The important point made here is how to reduce the cost and increases the use of the ski lift. This simple graphic does a good job in conveying the message of early detection.

 

Time and cost are the important components of the equation. Time is limited as we are not staffing due to lack of staff availability and cost is not only the cost to repair but the possible lost operating time.  Lost operating time is often not calculated, but it does have an impact on customer perception and their experience, which is priceless as they say.

It seems these added tools can improve our diagnostics and productivity.

 

 

Reach out to Steep Management, we are willing and happy to help you be better.

We can help you create a healthier ski resort by providing individualized solutions to your specific situation—no matter the size of your ski resort, or where you are in North America.
logo_bls1
The Advantage quadrant
logo+transparent-c21267c6-1920w

Steep Management has experience in ski area operations, particularly with the challenges of strategic daily routines and workflow. Developed For Ski Industry Professionals, by Ski Industry Professionals. Through our software products we can assist you in maintaining focus on those things which you and your team need to meet your goals and objectives.

Facebook Linkedin Envelope

Data and Information

Database of record: Centralized and organized data assists in recognizing and evaluating patterns, resulting in more thoughtful planning and informed predictions.

Rapid, intuitive retrieval of current and historical data (accessible on or offsite) improves decision making at all levels of management.

Simple report generation.

Reduces risk and potential lawsuits.

Supports visualization of current and future mountain infrastructure (e.g. Gazex explosives locations, forest thinning, designing new runs, parking, etc.).

 

Please click on the images to learn more

Ski Patrol

  • Ease of real-time data entry (no more logbooks or spreadsheets!).
  • Use of common language allows for consistent communication and information sharing.
  • Increases safety by minimizing accidents through pattern analysis of incidents.
  • Accident Investigation and Risk Management.
  • Snow Safety (Ski Patrol) Training.

The web and mobile application suite will provide editing and data collection tools for mapping incidents (wrecks, accidents) of any kind.

Please click on the images to learn more.

Avalanche Module

 

Ability to document, track and analyze slope conditions with one tool.

Ease of real-time data entry (no more logbooks or spreadsheets!).

 Centralized and organized data assists in recognizing and evaluating patterns, resulting in more thoughtful planning and informed predictions.

Provides detailed current and historical weather patterns for visualizing/predicting.

Saves money through more precise use of explosives. 

Please click on the images to learn more.

Dispatch

The dispatch and risk module leverage Esri’s Survey 123 for ArcGIS, providing an intuitive survey-form, data-driven workflow for point feature collection and reporting. Data collected with SmartMountain Survey apps, which are available for both web browsers and native desktop and mobile apps for standard operating systems, are integrated with one or more SmartMountain modules, providing real-time or disconnected and later synchronized workflows for data collection and integration.

Each ski resort decided what they wish to display on the Dispatch Dashboard including on-hill incidents, walk-in incidents, on-hill refusals,  missing persons, work details for different departments, ski patrol rosters for the day, clearances, and sweeps.

Please click on the images to learn more.

OPERATIONS LOGBOOK

  • Logs for Lift Maintenance, Lift Operations, and Groomer inspections, as well as building inspections.
  • Logs can record data and signatures, can record stops, station assignments.
  • Logs are tracked by calendar.

INFORMATION

  • Management review made easy through the use of Excel – reviewing a major grouping of assets or a single component of an asset such as a drive or a gearbox.
  • All information related to a system(asset) is in one place whether it be a lift inspection report, a manual, oil analysis, a service bulletin, or a letter from a vendor.

DASHBOARD

  • Every user has a unique dashboard.
  • Dashboards can be customized to reflect a user’s specific needs.
  • Quick access to the status of work and cost .

SCHEDULE/ WORK ORDERS​

  • The schedule function in MountainOffice provides for detailed instructions by task, recording of data such as the temperature of a gearbox, and service bulletins.
  • All schedules can have a time or counter trigger.