SKF Enlight Program Provides Low-Cost Instrumentation With Instant Connection to SKF Experts

SKF Enlight combines a new mobile app with a Bluetooth-enabled vibration sensor to allow non-expert staff to gather critical machinery data, effectively turning a standard mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet into a data-collection device. In the event of a parameter warning or alert, the user can then request an “On Demand Diagnostic,” whereby the data is sent wirelessly with the single push of a button to the SKF Remote Diagnostic Center (RDC) network for expert analysis and reporting.

Unlike route-based systems or dedicated high-end vibration analyzers – requiring high levels of staff competence and especially costly for one-off data measurements – SKF Enlight provides low-cost instrumentation with instant connection to SKF expertise. For data collection in hazardous areas, ATEX Zone 1-compliant smartphones and tablets have been developed for the job.

SKF Enlight consists of Data Collect (the app) and the SKF Wireless Machine Condition Detector (WMCD), a sensor that mounts magnetically to a machine and measures vibration data. The data is relayed to Data Collect via Bluetooth for visualization and vibration levels that are benchmarked against ISO standards. The user sees the assessment as a simple “traffic light” (red, amber, or green) indicator. If an “On Demand Diagnostic” is warranted, an SKF RDC expert then would analyze the data and send a report on the cause of any fault with recommended remedial actions to the user’s email account.

The WMCD sensor additionally takes a simultaneous measurement of bearing condition using patented SKF algorithms to assess severity of any damage or wear. These results, too, are displayed in traffic-light format and can be sent for on-demand SKF analysis and recommendations.