ZF Introducing Marine Condition Monitoring System

ZF Marine Krimpen will be introducing its Condition Monitoring System during the Maritime Industry Exhibition in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, in May.

ZF said the Condition Monitoring System is equipped with various sensors and an intelligent electronic evaluation unit. This system measures vibrations which indicate the condition of the bearings and gears in the thruster’s upper and lower gearbox. The measurement results help the operators identify early on which components need to be replaced or maintained, the company said. This means repairs can be planned in advance and a worsening in the conditions of the components can be avoided, all of which prevent downtimes and shorten maintenance times, the company said. It also extends the service life of the monitored systems and components, allowing the operators to concentrate on their main job.

Visitors to the exhibition will also have an opportunity to learn more about the oil cleaning system.

“Particularly with biodegradable oil, it is important to keep contaminants, such as water, out of the system so as to prevent downtimes caused by mechanical failures,” said Peter Toxopeus, sales manager at ZF Marine Krimpen B.V.

By heating up the oil, the water is evaporated, a cotton filter filters out the particles down to 1 µm. Clean oil is pumped back into the system which extends the service life of the oil by 10 to 15 times. In conclusion, fewer oil top-ups are needed which means operators save money, the company said.

ZF will be at booth D.118. The show is May 7-9.