In the database, DREAM® stores the pertinent information on all your equipment
including technical specifications, drawings or pictures, machine condition
including defects found, maintenance or corrective actions recommended,
vibration measurement results, and so fourth. The contents of the database is
displayed hierarchically as a Node Tree. The node tree contains three types of
nodes - Machine Groups, Machines, and Diagnostic Units. Machine groups can
contain machines and other machine groups. The number of groups, machines, and
levels of the hierarchy is unlimited. Machines can only contain diagnostic units.
The diagnostic unit is the part of the machine to be diagnosed by DREAM and can
be a bearing, pump impeller, induction motor electromagnetic system, or other
machine component.
Configuring Diagnostics
To enable DREAM to make condition diagnostics of the equipment, the operator
configures diagnostic units in the DREAM database by entering the physical
parameters of the equipment such as the type of bearing, the mains supply
frequency for electric machines, the number of blades for a pump, or the number
of teeth for a gear. Using this data, DREAM determines what measurements should
be done to make diagnostics of the unit and automatically sets up the
measurements in the database.
Conducting Measurements
Once the measurement units have been set up, you can create routes that can be
loaded to a data collector for measurements, a very easy operation in DREAM.
Just drag and drop the diagnostic unit to the route window. You can also drag an
drop the whole machine or a group of machines. After the measurements are made,
all the data are downloaded back to DREAM for diagnostics.
On-line Monitoring
DREAM most commonly acquires it's data for diagnostics and monitoring from a
data collector such as the DC-12M but it can also be used in an optional on-line
or stationary system monitoring mode using up to 16 DC-12Ms with each DC-12M
having up to 16 input channels, or with PC based data single and multiple A/D
card and multiplexer systems. The on-line monitoring mode allows a mix of
frequent measurements for level based monitoring, condition by monitoring, and
less frequent measurements for condition based monitoring, condition by
diagnostics. See the monitor manuals for more information.
Automatic Diagnostics
DREAM provides automatic diagnostics of the units configured in the database
and measured in the field. To make the diagnostics, select a diagnostic unit
node in the node tree or in the image display, click the secondary mouse button,
and choose the diagnostics command. DREAM will find all possible defects of the
machine, display the symptoms that it used for diagnostics, tell you how long
this unit can operate without maintenance needed, and either advise when it
should be measured next or make recommendations on the maintenance or repair
work to be done. Each of the recommendations will be substantiated with the
corresponding defects found and each of the defects will be substantiated by
marking or listing the corresponding lines in the spectra.
Information Display and Analysis
For a Group or a Machine, DREAM displays the condition summary or else the
image on which you can mark the positions of all nodes of the next hierarchical
level. For diagnostic units, DREAM displays the recommendations for
maintenance, results of condition diagnostics, and symptoms for any defects
found.
Extensive spectrum analysis functions are available in graphic display windows
including waterfall plots, overlay, trend analysis, characteristic frequency
cursors, harmonics, sidebands, and other functions. In this way, DREAM provides
excellent tools for an expert to deal with those rare cases when the automatic
diagnostics present uncertainties for the reasons for the changes in the
vibration state of the machine.
A number of reports regarding measurement point configuration and conditions can
be formed automatically by DREAM.
Planning Diagnostic Operations
Using its diagnostics, DREAM furnishes and estimate of the time period for
non-failure operation of the machine, that is, condition prediction. After this
periods expires, DREAM recommends making the next measurements and diagnostics.
DREAM can automatically schedule these operations and create routes for the
specific dates. For example, when the operator comes to the enterprise each day,
he creates a route map for the days' measurements. DREAM enables one operator
to control several thousand of machine components without missing any component
failures.
