Early Imbalance Detection on Inlet Fan Prevents Unplanned Downtime in Dairy Production
SKYLER
The Challenge
What We Detected
Early vibration increase
Skyler detected a subtle rise in overall vibration levels at a very early stage.
Pattern
The spectral signature indicated a strong imbalance pattern combined with a secondary lower amplitude looseness component .
Consequence in the Field
If left unaddressed, excessive vibration could accelerate bearing wear, loosen mounting points, and cause loss of ventilation in the silo, increasing the risk of dust accumulation or overpressure during loading operations.
Component:
Fan DE & NDE
Speed:
1320 RPM
Pattern:
Fundamental Speed (1x) with multiple harmonics
Our Recommendations
- 1Inspect:
Stop the fan and perform a detailed visual inspection for dirt build-up on the blades.
- 2Clean:
Clean all fan blades thoroughly to restore balance and prevent uneven mass distribution.
On-Site Findings
The end customer using Skyler carried out a physical inspection of the asset on the same day following our recommendations.
a large amount of dirt was found accumulated on the blades and cleaned instantly.
The Result?
Outcome
Vibration levels dropped 40% from 3.6 mm/s to within normal range. Imbalance and looseness patterns reduced, and fan resumed operation.
$21,800
$21,800 saved. Bearing damage and asset failure were prevented.
Risk avoided
By acting immediately the customer prevented degradation that could have led to ventilation loss, bearing failure, and unplanned downtime— safeguarding dairy production continuity.
Measured Improvement
Spectral analysis before and after cleaning shows significant reduction in imbalance amplitude.
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