Acoustic Monitoring Extends Uptime on Paper Rollers

PCB Piezotronics, Inc. introduces their low cost, non-contact Model 130D20, ICP® electret microphone for frequency analysis and amplitude trending in the paper industry. When large capital equipment such as paper rollers, break down, it costs companies large sums of money for repairs and lost revenue from downtime. By using frequency analysis or trending the amplitudes, maintenance technicians and plant engineers can predict when machines will need minor maintenance that will help avoid major repairs.

Paper Roller machine manufacturers and end users often have concerns of material build-up, roller wear, and defects on the machine as paper passes through rollers over extended periods of time. By using PCB® electret microphone Model 130D20, and running the ICP® output signal through a programmable logic controller (PLC), the machine operator can set control limits in the PLC to alarm output any changes in sound waves. When the amplitude in decibels increases, or the frequency changes from normal set points, the alarm allows the machine operator time to investigate the source and plan for maintenance, which can end up saving tens of thousands of dollars in repairs and downtime. This short term preventative maintenance can prevent catastrophic failures and also extend the lifespan of the machine.

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