Efficient Plant Nov./Dec. 2021 - 22

department | on the floor
Evolution of R&M Tools & Technologies
Increasing capability with new tools & techniques
Zones of uncertainty are occurring with increasing frequency.
purchase. More machine learning will help
in condition-based maintenance (CBM),
providing better/faster feedback on results. I
say this because some of my analysis showed
that CBM was not getting expected benefits
in a group of facilities. So, it's important
to follow up to assess the CBM finds and
benefits. A similar analysis on predictive
technology routes (followed with fixes)
resulted in less reactive maintenance.
Also in development is 4D printing.
Fundamentally it's the same as 3D printing,
except it includes shape morphing responding
to an environmental stimulus such as
temperature, light, voltage, humidity. There
will be more real-time data for decision
22 | EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM
making and prescriptive maintenance
(machine learning assigning only necessary
work orders/maintenance)
The amount of available data will
cause its own challenges, primarily the
cost of storage and security. There will be a
greater need for improved human-machine
interfaces (ergonomics) as more automation,
connected devices, software controls,
assists, edge computing, machine learning/
AI decisions at systems thinking level are
implemented.
International Data Corp., Needham,
MA, (idc.com), predicts that the collective
sum of the world's data will grow from 33
zettabytes in 2021 to 175 by 2025. One zettabyte
equals 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
bytes. Almost 30% of the data generated will
be consumed in real-time by 2025.
Companies are making better data-based
decisions, but it's still what I refer to as " data
rich, information poor. " The practicable
tools and processes have not been established
to take advantage of the dormant
knowledge that can be used to improve
performance.
As companies work toward Industry 4.0
(often referred to as the fourth industrial
revolution), things will change more quickly
for all involved in reliability and maintenance.
Many items will be beyond anything
that we can conceptualize today. EP
NOV/DEC 2021
Increasing acceptance, usability, and ROI
http://www.idc.com http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM
Efficient Plant Nov./Dec. 2021

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