'Life Cycle Management', 'Predictive Maintenance' and 'Condition Based Monitoring' explained in more detail

In the world of technology and science, complicated terms abound. Jargon is also not uncommon. In this article, we will briefly explain three frequently heard terms: 'Life Cycle Management', 'Predictive Maintenance' and 'Condition Based Monitoring'.

These three subject-specific themes will return during WoTS in a number of seminars from World of Automation, combined with Industrial Processing and World of Motion & Drives. One of the seminars is about 'Life Cycle Management'. When 'managing' the 'Life Cycle' we are talking about focusing on the chain management of a product.

The life cycle of a product consists of three phases: the conception and manufacture of the product, its distribution and finally the arrangement and reuse of residual materials. In 'Life Cycle Management' we look at this cycle with an overarching view. The goal here is to make the life cycle of a product as efficient as possible in order to reduce costs. The theme Life Cycle Management is a very comprehensive concept and everyone often interprets it in their own way.

One way to make chain management more sustainable is 'Predictive Maintenance'. The goal of this preventive maintenance is to replace the components of a machine at the right time, before the end of its lifespan. When done correctly, preventive maintenance is more efficient than corrective maintenance.

Measuring is knowing
A form of 'Predictive Maintenance' is 'Condition Based Monitoring.' Here, sensors are used to measure the status of a component over a certain period of time. With this collected data, trends can then be established to determine the lifespan of a component and thus find out when this component should ideally be replaced. One way to make the 'Life Cycle' more sustainable is to purchase sensors to limit maintenance costs.

A step further is the rise of servitization. Servitization means that producers offer their products as a service and try to relieve the customer of their worries. A positive side effect is that the expenses and investments for an end customer are clearer. However, an end customer does lose the 'ownership' of his installation. For many parties within the industry, this is still too big a step. In practice, this means that companies do not buy the machines they need, but lease them and pay per use. In the case of an industrial bakery, for example, this ensures that the loaves of bread are baked in an oven, which is leased from the supplier of bakery machines, who charges the bakery a certain price per loaf. An adopted form within the world of copying machines, but not yet for the industry.

Servitization is the result of increasingly demanding customers and is used by companies as a means to distinguish themselves from others. Servitization does require the necessary adjustments in the business operations from the supplier. Service provision must become number one, because in the event of a malfunction, a machine must be quickly put back into operation. The coordination of the correct SLA conditions is key here.

Are you interested in attending one of the seminars? Then you can register here register for free.