Acoustic Cameras as an Everyday Tool

Acoustic imaging can be much more than a tool used for occasional compressed-air surveys. When incorporated into everyday maintenance, it can help manufacturing facilities locate difficult leaks, shorten troubleshooting time, prioritize repairs and verify that maintenance work is producing measurable results.

In this webinar, Nicklas Matyas will present the story of an automotive factory experiencing recurring problems with a windshield-handling vacuum system. After multiple pumps were replaced without resolving the issue, acoustic imaging helped identify the actual source: leaks within the overhead vacuum-distribution system.

Using this case study, Nicklas will explain how one successful inspection can develop into a practical, plant-wide program supporting maintenance, reliability, utilities and production teams. The presentation will also cover how findings can be converted into prioritized work orders, incorporated into repeatable inspection routes and tracked over time to demonstrate the effectiveness of the maintenance program.

Key Takeaways

• How acoustic imaging can locate difficult compressed-air, gas and vacuum leaks in noisy, operating manufacturing facilities.

• How the automotive factory identified the actual cause of its vacuum-system problem after replacing multiple pumps.

• How to prioritize findings using leak severity, estimated loss, location, accessibility and operational risk.

• How to convert inspection findings into work orders containing the location, acoustic image, estimated impact, recommended action and repair-verification status.

• How repeatable routes, technician training and accessible camera options can make acoustic imaging an everyday maintenance tool instead of equipment that sits unused.

• How to measure progress over time without treating estimated leak values as guaranteed utility savings.