SKF® Machine Work Notification Software Takes Operator- Driven Reliability to A New Level

Machine operators in industrial settings, who use core components of SKF® machine Suite reliability software can now initiate maintenance work orders and take operator-driven reliability (ODR), a step beyond watch keeping and inspection of assets .

To accomplish this important step, operators make use of SKF MARLIN® industrial computers running new, unique, add-on software; SKF Machine Work Notification. The new software will run on any MARLIN instrument that uses MARLIN firmware version 4.1 or higher.

SKF market research indicates that SKF Machine Work Notification will lead to the creation of work orders where they are not presently done. Thus, the system helps to overcome the problem of missed or overlooked tasks and in addition, SKF Machine Work Notification can be interfaced with a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), to automatically take over the work-order processing.

SKF Machine Work Notification enables operators to review previous work orders and the status of current orders. SKF Machine Work Notification was written specifically for operator-driven reliability programs in which products in the SKF Machine Suite – SKF Machine Analyst and SKF Machine Inspector – are used.

The new software adds functionality but requires no changes to the SKF Machine Suite products, which will continue to function as before.

“This product will truly integrate operators into the maintenance function,” says Product Manager Emilio Vargas, SKF Reliability Systems, San Diego, Calofornia. “It will make them more proactive in initiating work orders. It empowers them. They feel more ownership of the equipment for which they are responsible and come to understand that they are the first line of defense and not just employees who operate machines. They come to realise that they can contribute to the overall sustainability and operation of the company.” 2/…SKF Machine Work Notification

Vargas adds that implementing SKF Machine Work Notification can impact a plant’s entire maintenance strategy. “It does not remove the need to have maintenance personnel,” he notes. “It just allows them to focus more on fixing and preventing problems instead of looking for problems.”

SKF Reliability Systems is part of the worldwide SKF Service organization. The SKF Service Division provides end users with a full range of bearings and related products and services through a worldwide network of approximately 7,000 authorized distributors. The organization’s condition monitoring and service businesses extend machine service life, reduce overall maintenance costs and improve plant efficiency by creating integrated solutions for end-users utilizing advanced technology and reliability maintenance management.