Gearing Up for Better Maintenance: Utilizing ASTM E2905 for Cleaning and Inspecting Kiln and Ball Mill Gear Drives

The standard method presented in this article allows kiln and ball-mill maintenance planners to reduce the time it takes to perform preventative maintenance shutdowns. Planners that used to allow 36 h to perform maintenance and inspect the gear set now allow 18-24 h for this job. It is conceivable to inspect four kilns (2 m X 10 m) and (2 m X 7 m) in two days. The process provides comprehensive and accurate examination data. This is very important in determining the integrity of the gear set. The examination can take place alongside other maintenance personnel. It reduces the reliance on human interpretation by using other examination methods. Insurance companies have acknowledged the benefits of ASTM E2905. It provides real-time mapping of the inspected region, facilitating data interpretation and improving reliability and the probability of detection. All of this reduces unscheduled downtime, resulting in increased uptime.