Milton CAT provides Caterpillar engines to a variety of industries and applications. In the past, the company had worked with 6D and Caterpillar on a major oil and gas project. And so, when a marine customer was experiencing watercraft vibration issues, 6D was asked to help determine if the engine was the source of (or contributed to) the problem.
TEST PLAN
A test plan was developed allowing 6D to manage the project remotely. This would not only save travel costs, but utilizing Milton CAT resources provides an opportunity to train the dealer’s test engineers for similar projects in the future.
Test equipment, along with instructions for set-up and usage, was provided to Milton CAT. 6D worked with the company’s test engineers to review the plan, familiarize them with equipment set-up, and discuss next steps. This allowed Milton engineers to be comfortable with all facets of the project prior to arriving at the customer site.
REMOTE ASSISTED TESTING
Supplied test equipment included a ruggedized PC and software, 32 channel data acquisition system, accelerometers, cables, light tach kit, and power supply. Milton engineers were guided through test set-up and preparing the vessel for data collection. This included identifying data collection locations, orienting accelerometers, and so on.
6D communicated with on-site personnel to adjust testing on the fly for optimum results. Through several test cycles, data was collected, downloaded, and analyzed. Data analysis and construction of an Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) helped to eliminate the engine as the vibration’s source.
RESULTS
At the project’s conclusion, Milton CAT was provided with a report and recommendations. Supplementing in-house technical resources with 6D experience provided the dealer with the answers they were looking for in a timely and cost-effective manner. What’s more, Milton CAT now has the in-house experience to troubleshoot similar issues they may encounter.
Pete Mandeville, Milton CAT Power Systems Technical Communicator, explained, “We enlisted the support of 6D to evaluate a recently overhauled marine propulsion engine. The vessel’s owner was concerned over a vibration that appeared once the engine was restored to the hull. 6D’s data collection system was applied to various components of the engine and hull. We are very pleased with the outcome and will certainly use 6D in the future for in-depth analysis of similar complex vibration issues”.
Rhonda Gelinas, Milton Cat Commercial Engine Product Support Manager, added, “The way the test equipment was sent to us, step-by-step support, and the provided results allows us to utilize 6D going forward for those situations that require a very high level of expert assistance for vibrations of this magnitude”.
Product Support Authorized Marine Dealer & Coordinator, Lucas Patch states that, “6D engineers were extremely knowledgeable and friendly throughout the process. They guided us through each test and data was downloaded and checked before moving onto the next test. Tooling was easy to use and setup!”
ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
Equipment problems can crop up at any time or place; and fast expert response is critical. On-site or remote, 6D works with manufacturers around the world and throughout industry to quickly identify the root cause of mechanical and structural failure and implement practical solutions.