Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is a strategy that uses real-time data to monitor the performance of equipment and machinery and identify potential problems before they result in costly downtime. This approach is becoming increasingly popular in the transportation industry, where it has the potential to reduce maintenance costs, increase asset uptime, and improve safety.In the past, according to the Axcent Group’s Matteo Genovese and Andrea Gatti, most maintenance was done on a fixed schedule, with equipment being serviced according to a set timetable, regardless of its condition. This approach often resulted in unnecessary maintenance, as well as missed maintenance events that could lead to equipment failure.“CBM brings great improvement to the maintenance process, saving cost in the long run,” said Genovese.It has had a significant impact on the railroad industry, reducing costs and improving the management of spare parts. “It is being used to monitor the condition of locomotives and track infrastructure while trains are in operation. “By using sensors to monitor wheel bearings, brakes, and other critical components, rail operators can identify potential problems before they result in a derailment or other safety incident.”CBM is also being used in the aviation and trucking industries where it has become an essential part of maintenance programmes, helping to reduce maintenance costs, increase asset uptime, and improve safety.Gatti said as technologies continued to evolve expectations were high that CBM would become even more prevalent in the future.
