Intelligent Maintenance System

An intelligent maintenance system (IMS) is a system that utilizes the collected data from the machinery in order to predict and prevent the potential failures in them. The occurrence of failures in the machinery can be costly and even catastrophic. In order to avoid them, there needs to be a system which analyzes the behavior of the machine and provides alarms and instructions for preventive maintenance. Analyzing the behavior of the machines has become possible by means of advanced sensors, data collection systems, data storage/transfer capabilities and data analytic tools developed for such purpose. More information on the related data analytic tools can be found in prognostics. The aggregation of data collection, storage, transformation, analysis and decision making for smart maintenance is called an intelligent maintenance system (IMS).

An intelligent maintenance system is a system that utilizes the history data by facilitating data analytics and decision support tools to predict and prevent the potential failure of the machines. With the growing complexity of manufacturing processes and machinery, the role of monitoring systems and intelligent maintenance is becoming more crucial. The recent advancements in information technology, computers and electronics have facilitated the design and implementation of such systems.

Based on the industries growing demand in sustainability of the assets, different maintenance practices have been designed and implemented. The maintenance practices generally include condition-based maintenance (CBM), reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), corrective maintenance, scheduled or planned maintenance and predictive maintenance. An intelligent maintenance system enhances the performance of predictive maintenance systems by utilizing the advancements in computer science, electronics and information technology. The key research elements of intelligent maintenance systems consist of:

Center for Intelligent Maintenance Systems (IMS Center) is an Industry/University Collaborative Research Center (I/UCRC) that consists of the University of Cincinnati, the University of Michigan, and Missouri University of Science and Technology. Since 2001, IMS has been a frontrunner in advancing methods, tools and technologies for enabling the products and systems to achieve and sustain near-zero breakdown. The techniques and technologies developed by the IMS Center have been validated in over 70 projects conducted with research and industry partners across the globe. These projects include various applications from a wide range including manufacturing, energy, rotating machinery etc. [www.imscenter.net]. A complete list of publications by IMS Center can be found in its website. In 2012, a feasibility study conducted at North Carolina State University showed that among the NSF I/UCRC research centers across the U.S., IMS Center has had the biggest economic impact with the benefit of $238.3 for every dollar invested on it (238.3:1). Berkley Sensors and Actuators Center (BSAC) at UC Berkley and Industry-University Center for Surfactants (IUCS) at Columbia University were ranked second and third with economic impacts of 36.2:1 and 2.8:1 respectively.

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