What Is Equipment Health Monitoring (EHM)?

Equipment Health Monitoring (EHM) is a system that uses sensors and software to track the condition of your manufacturing equipment, such as temperature, vibration, and pressure, and alerts your team to potential problems before they cause a breakdown.

Breakdowns disrupt operations and can be costly to repair or replace. EHM is a cost-effective way to improve the reliability, efficiency, and safety of your equipment and keep it running smoothly.

What are the four phases of equipment maintenance?

You may have heard the expression “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” That’s a pleasant enough saying, but waiting for things to break is not a good plan. It’s what we call “Reactive maintenance”, the first step on the journey to maximum efficiency.

Equipment maintenance has four distinct phases:

Reactive maintenance is when you wait for something to break, then repair it. This can cause unplanned outages and significant operational disruptions.
Proactive maintenance is getting ahead of things. Changing the oil on your car every 3-5 months is proactive maintenance. You understand equipment wears down and needs upkeep, and you take steps to prolong its life.
Predictive maintenance begins to incorporate data to predict when specific parts of your equipment need servicing or replacement. This is where EHM begins to come in.
Prescriptive maintenance takes EHM a step further by using the equipment and AI to recommend how to handle predicted failures.

How does equipment health monitoring work?

Equipment health monitoring systems typically use a combination of sensors and software to track the condition of your equipment. The sensors are attached to your equipment and collect data on things like temperature, vibration, and pressure. This data is then sent to the software, which analyzes it for signs of problems.

If the software detects a potential problem, it will send an alert to you or your maintenance team. This gives you time to take action before the problem causes a breakdown.

What are the benefits of equipment health monitoring?

There are many benefits to using EHM. Some of the most common benefits include:

Reduced downtime: By identifying potential problems early on, you can take steps to fix them before they cause a major emergency breakdown. This helps reduce downtime and keeps equipment running smoothly.
Improved efficiency: By scheduling preventive maintenance more effectively, you can avoid unpredicted downtime and schedule resources more effectively. This improves your operational efficiency.
Increased safety: By identifying potential hazards and taking steps to correct them, you create a safer work environment for your employees and reduce potential liabilities.
Reduced costs: By preventing costly emergency repairs or replacements, you save money in the long run.

How do you choose the right EHM system?

There are many different EHM systems on the market. When choosing a system, there are a few factors you’ll need to consider, such as:

The type of equipment you need to monitor
The features you need
Your budget

It’s important to choose a system that’s right for your specific needs. If you’re not sure which system is right for you, it’s a good idea to talk to an EHM expert like ClearObject.

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Frequently asked questions

What data does equipment health monitoring collect?

Sensors attached to equipment collect data on conditions like temperature, vibration, and pressure. Software analyzes that data for signs of problems and alerts your maintenance team.

What is the difference between predictive and prescriptive maintenance?

Predictive maintenance uses data to predict when specific parts need servicing or replacement. Prescriptive maintenance goes a step further and uses the equipment data and AI to recommend how to handle predicted failures.

What are the benefits of EHM?

EHM reduces downtime, improves efficiency by making maintenance easier to schedule, increases safety, and lowers costs by preventing emergency repairs or replacements.