Thermography in Predictive Maintenance: Optimization, Safety and Failure Prevention

Termografía en el Mantenimiento Predictivo
Table of Contents

In the field of predictive maintenanceInfrared thermography is an essential tool for ensuring operational continuity and avoiding costly failures. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to detect thermal anomalies in critical infrastructures, allowing timely interventions before serious failures occur.

The use of thermographic inspections in sectors such as energy, construction and industrial maintenance improves efficiency, reduces operational risks and optimizes costs. Aerolaser offers advanced thermography services for predictive maintenance, using state-of-the-art technology and specialized platforms to ensure accurate results.

Importance of Thermography in Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance aims to anticipate failures and plan repairs at the optimum time. Infrared thermography is one of the most effective techniques to achieve this for the following reasons:

  1. Early Detection of Anomalies
    Thermal imaging inspections identify hot spots in equipment and systems before they become critical failures. This allows you to act proactively, avoiding unexpected and costly outages.  
  2. Risk Reduction
    Detecting overheating helps prevent accidents, fires and damage to installations. Thermography makes it possible to identify these risks in advance, ensuring the safety of infrastructures and personnel.  
  3. Maintenance Cost Optimization
    Performing repairs only when necessary avoids unnecessary expenses and prolongs the useful life of the equipment. Thermography enables efficient scheduling of interventions, reducing operating costs and downtime.  
  4. Non-Service Interruption Evaluation
    Thermographic inspections are performed without shutting down equipment, which avoids production losses and maintains continuous operation. 

Thermography Applications in Predictive Maintenance

Electrical Maintenance

In electrical systems, thermographic inspections are essential to identify overheating in key components such as:

  • Transformers
  • Connections and splices
  • Switches and fuses
  • High voltage lines and insulators

Thermal anomalies are often indicative of high resistance, wear or impending failure. Early detection allows preventive repairs to be carried out and power outages to be avoided.

Mechanical Maintenance

In mechanical equipment, friction, lack of lubrication and wear cause temperature increases that can be detected by thermography. Common applications include:

  • Bearings and gears
  • Motors and pumps
  • Drive systems and pulleys

Identifying these hot spots allows maintenance to be scheduled before failure causes a production shutdown.

3. Critical Infrastructure

Critical infrastructures, such as industrial plants, buildings and transportation networks, require rigorous maintenance. Infrared thermography makes it possible to inspect large areas quickly and accurately, identifying potential problems in:

  • Air conditioning systems (HVAC)
  • Roofs and facades
  • Energy installations

Thermography helps to ensure the proper functioning of these infrastructures, minimizing operational risks and maximizing efficiency.

Advanced Technology for Thermographic Inspections

At Aerolaser, state-of-the-art technologies are used to perform accurate and efficient thermographic inspections.

Trakka SWE300 and SWE400 gimbals

These tools enable the capture of high-resolution thermal images from the air. Trakka gimbals, mounted on aircraft, make it possible to survey large areas of terrain quickly and accurately.

As a complementary inspection, we use DJI Zenmuse H20T and Zenmuse X5S cameras mounted on drones to inspect areas that are difficult to access on foot or in aircraft, allowing for even more thorough analysis.

DALIA Platform

The DALIA platform facilitates the management of thermographic inspection data, allowing:

  • Organize and classify the detected anomalies according to their type and severity. according to their type and severity.
  • Prioritize interventions to optimize maintenance.
  • Generate detailed reports that help in decision making.

This combination of advanced technology ensures thorough inspection and efficient predictive maintenance management.

Benefits of Predictive Maintenance with Thermography

The implementation of thermography in predictive maintenance offers multiple benefits for companies:

  1. Increased Equipment Reliability
    Identifying problems early ensures continuous and reliable operation of systems. 
  2. Reduced Operating Costs
    Avoiding unexpected failures and planning interventions reduces maintenance and repair costs. 
  3. Improved Safety
    Detecting hot spots and thermal anomalies reduces the risk of accidents and ensures the safety of installations. 
  4. Maintenance Efficiency
    Thermography allows prioritizing maintenance actions and optimizing available resources. 
  5. Regulatory Compliance
    Thermographic inspections help to comply with safety and maintenance regulations, avoiding penalties and guaranteeing the correct operation of installations. 

Conclusion: Thermography as a Pillar of Predictive Maintenance

Infrared thermography is an essential tool for any predictive maintenance program. It makes it possible to detect failures before they become serious problems, optimize maintenance costs and ensure the operational safety of infrastructures.

Aerolaser, through its advanced thermography serviceshelps companies anticipate failures, improve their operational efficiency and protect their most important assets.

LATEST NEWS

Discover the latest news from Aerolaser System