Condition Monitoring for Milling Blower Reliability

This technical report details the condition monitoring process implemented by AVT Reliability Ltd to identify bearing wear and looseness in a milling blower at a distillery. The report outlines the challenge faced when a sudden change in the blower's running condition was observed during routine monitoring in November 2024, with significant spikes in velocity and acceleration indicating potential mechanical instability. The analysis revealed non-synchronous peaks correlating with bearing faults. Following the alert generated by the Machine Sentry® platform, a planned intervention was executed during a scheduled shutdown in December 2024, leading to successful motor bearing replacement and drive belt adjustments. Post-repair monitoring confirmed a return to baseline vibration levels, demonstrating the effectiveness of early fault detection. The report emphasizes the importance of condition-based maintenance strategies in preventing unplanned failures and minimizing production disruptions, showcasing how proactive measures can avert costly downtime.