Condition Monitoring involves the design and use of sensing arrangements on industrial plant, together with data acquisition and analysis systems to enable diagnostic methodologies with the objective of implementing early interventions by performing the correct maintenance in a planned manner based on the actual condition of machine. Mining and manufacturing are two industries that have become more reliant on condition monitoring in recent years but unfortunately not more resilient because of it. The successful implementation of condition monitoring technologies has become rarer than unicorns. A mythical concept embedded in progressive maintenance philosophies but as elusive as sightings of supernovas.  

So how do we implement a successful CM program in an environment that flourishes on increasing the tediousness in the task? 

Applying 5 critical questions below to decide which technology will be more suited to identify the failure mode based on type of machine. 

1. Can this technology identify the earliest indication of a developing problem? 
2. Can this technology identify the exact cause of the problem? 
3. Can this technology identify the exact location of the problem? 
4. Can this technology identify the exact severity of the problem? 
5. Answering the four questions above will guide you to the correct maintenance task to be performed?