SKF @ptitude Observer

Overview
The combination of SKF @ptitude Observer software with data acquisition devices such as
the SKF Microlog Analyzer dBX, SKF Multilog On-line System IMx-1, IMx-8, IMx-16Plus and
IMx-Rail delivers a powerful and flexible condition monitoring solution across many industries,
including the railways. The expert diagnostics and analyses provide unrivalled application
insights to maximise rotating equipment performance (REP). This allows your business to be
more agile, deliver greater output, optimise safety, reliability and sustainability.

The system design supports fast data storage across hundreds In addition to comprehensive plot, display and reporting
of monitored machines and allows an unlimited number of functions, SKF @ptitude Observer facilitates data sharing by
hierarchy levels. Process overviews and workspaces allow providing a Phoenix internal (self-hosting) web service. This
users to access the key information needed. can be used to retrieve data from the Observer database
through a web service API.
SKF @ptitude Observer provides wizards for users to quickly set
up and maintain machine and measurement configurations. In SKF @ptitude Observer, there are multiple alarm layers:
Setup functions that would once have required direct access primary measurement value alarms, secondary machine
to the data acquisition device can now be accomplished diagnostic alarms and since Observer 10.5, SKF Protean
remotely, over TCP/IP. Diagnoses.

For data analysis and diagnosis, a good understanding of the Protean Diagnoses are based on SKF proprietary technology
dynamics of the machine being monitored is necessary. With and can be applied to data from the range of SKF online data
SKF @ptitude Observer’s machine information database, each acquisition devices. No user input is required to setup these
plant item is defined by its mechanical components. This allows diagnoses, all diagnostic rules have been evaluated and fine-
all machine fault frequencies to be dynamically calculated by tuned on millions of measurements across different industry
the system. The built-in bearing database is an important part segments. The built-in rules available to the user include
of this functionality and information is available for thousands common machine faults such as misalignment, looseness
of bearing designations. and bearing damage.

Condition monitoring displays

In addition to standard displays such as single Trend, Phase Multi trend
or amplitude Spectrum (FFT), Full Spectrum and Time Wave-
Trend plots show not only the overall value but also important,
form, SKF @ptitude Observer has a variety of enhanc ed data
related parameters such as speed, sensor BOV and band
plots to assist data analysis and interpretation. These plots
data. In a multi trend plot, measurement trends are overlaid
provide tools for the analysis of live data, historical data or
and cursor values are displayed as bars, for easy comparison.
data captured during Run up / Coast down (transient) events.
A Trend List is a report format making this same data available
Combination plots (for example Diagnosis / Spectra / Time
in tabular form.
waveform) are also available.

History Bode (Trend)

Vibration amplitude or phase displayed as a function of time,
A History display is used to visualise the variation in machine
speed or any available process parameter.
condition over time, to identify deteriorating condition. The
History display supports amplitude spectrum, phase spectrum
and time waveform or any combination of these.

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Orbit Diagnosis
Uses signals from two transducers at 90° (typically eddy This uses automatic FFT analysis algorithms to eliminate the
current probes). Orbits can be constructed from the raw signal need for the user to manually analyse FFTs and includes
(true orbit) or from a signal filtered at shaft speed, higher standard rules for common machine faults, such as unbalance,
harmonics or a user defined frequency range (filtered orbit). misalignment, bearing faults etc. User defined diagnosis rules
can also be easily implemented. SKF @ptitude Observer’s
Shaft centerline machine diagnostics feature is always active, constantly
monitoring, detecting and displaying clear text alarms.
By also using two eddy current transducers at 90°, the
shaft radial position relative to the bearing cross-section is
displayed. The shaft centerline display is a useful monitoring Protean
tool, at machine run-up. The SKF Protean diagnosis is a powerful tool which follows
the progression of machine condition indicators. All condition
Polar indicators are generated by the algorithm with no input from
the user. The alarm mechanism is intelligent and can notify
A polar plot illustrates vibration phase and amplitude in a
the user when the condition of the machine has worsened.
polar diagram. Alarms are circular and are therefore sensitive
In addition, machine indicators will also identify (positive)
to changes in either phase or amplitude.
changes in the machine, like a bearing replacement, and
automatically adjust the indicators for a new baseline.
Power Cepstrum
Power Cepstrum plot is a useful tool designed to detect perio-
RFT
dicity in a frequency spectrum. It is particularly effective for
RFT graph provides a view of all narrow-band enveloping
analyzing vibration patterns in machine failures, which have
spectra at a glance, making it a valuable tool for quick equip-
multiple harmonics of the fundamental frequency and/or
ment condition evaluation and in-depth analysis of potential
sidebands present, such as in the analysis of gearbox faults.
faults (e.g., bearing or gear problems). It is also used to iden-
tify the best enveloping bands with the best ‘signal-to-noise’
3D plot aspects and to identify the most dominant modulations in
A 3D plot (or waterfall) displays frequency spectra against a different envelopment frequency ranges.
z axis of speed, process data or time. Users can freely zoom,
rotate, or elevate to change the view perspective.

Topology plot
A Topology plot can be likened to a 3D plot viewed from
above, with the amplitudes colour coded to enable variations
in machine behaviour to be easily identified.

Profile
The profile plot visualises a vibration time waveform
referenced to one revolution of a rotating component. It is
particularly useful for analysing data from rolls or felts whose
surface condition is critical to their function.

Gear Inspector
Gear Inspector is for detection and visualisation of gear
problems and uses colour to represent impact intensity, to
assist identification of the location of gear damage.

Event and run cycle capture

Event capture is based around a long time waveform that
holds the captured data, “pre and post” a specified event. In
SKF Rail Track Monitoring run cycle capture is used to auto-
matically gather track vibration data between stations.

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Scalable wireless condition
monitoring of production equipment
@ptitude Observer software hosting the wireless condition Some of the benefits of using the IMx-1 system include:
monitoring system IMx-1 creates a powerful and cost-effective
tool for managing a wide network of wireless mesh sensors and • Replacement of manual machinery health data collection
provides data detection and processing of main issues on and/or widening monitoring coverage
numerous machines. • Increase of the periodic monitoring coverage from months
and weeks to days and hours
The data collection is performed using a compact battery-driven • Makes automated data collection easier and more
sensor and presented to visualization and analysis software. affordable
• Data from machines in inaccessible locations or measure-
Observer manages all the machine health data and provides ment points behind guarding
complete analytical capabilities turning the collected data • Quick and scalable deployment
into usable maintenance information as well as device • Allows reduction of unplanned downtime by identifying and
management for the IMx-1 wireless system. Data acquisition resolving problems before they result in costly machine
using Enlight collect IMx-1 together with Observer can be failure
carried in an on-premises software instance or in a cloud-
hosted environment.

SKF Enlight Collect Manager

Cloud-based Big data

SKF @ptitude Observer

IMx-1 sensor

SKF Enlight Collect Gateway

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SKF Rail Track Monitoring
SKF Rail Track Monitoring uses data from train mounted SKF Using the Phoenix internal web service, a cloud based or
Multilog IMx-Rail hardware to monitor the rail condition. These local network hosted web app provides easily viewed status
devices support mobile data (LTE/GSM) or Ethernet (RJ45 or information for the rail infrastructure including Map of Lines,
Wi-Fi) connectivity. Station Dashboard and Exception reporting and processing.

By specifying the infrastructure in terms of Regions, Lines,

Stations, Bounds, Connections, Features and Routes etc.,
the data received from the IMx-Rail is automatically matched
to specific rail sections before processing. An analyst can
then access special displays to aid the assessment of track
condition; Summary table, Acceleration and Speed Profile
and Acceleration for Section graph, as well as the Spectrum
(FFT) and Time Waveform for the “raw” data.

TCMS IMx IMx IMx IMx IMx IMx TCMS

Can be integrated Can be integrated

Cloud-based Big data

Data storage
Connection to SKF services
IMx Manager SKF @ptitude Observer
• Setup and configuration • Workflows
• User views

SKF Remote Diagnostic Services • Dashboard

• Data visualization

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Features and capabilities
Architecture Modbus connectivity
SKF @ptitude Observer is a TCP/IP based client / server This can be used to import data from external systems or
application and is fully supported in Local Area Network (LAN), sensors and/or export IMx measurement data. SKF @ptitude
Wide Area Network (WAN), thin client (Terminal) environments Observer supports enhanced Multilog IMx Modbus communi-
and cloud computing. cation capabilities including configuration of the IMx
device as:
SKF @ptitude Observer software works in conjunction with
Microsoft SQL (Database) Server. When using a full version of • a TCP or RTU master
that software, the database size is virtually unlimited. • with the possibility of multiple Modbus instances

All stored measurement data is date and time stamped and • as simultaneous RTU (slave) and TCP (master/slave)
data storage parameters can be flexibly configured. This can • and with support for multiple slave devices
be based on time, speed or process data variation, alarm
status, trend variation or an event or exception occurring. With Direct Modbus, TCP slave sensors can be added directly
to an @ptitude observer system. Direct Modbus does not use
Cloud solution any of IMx’s 32 external channel capabilities.
SKF @ptidute Observer can be hosted on SKF cloud giving
engineers the possibility for remote data access. The SKF Operating conditions
cloud solution is cost-effective, reliable and provides secure Effective condition monitoring requires knowledge of operating
communication. parameters and conditions that may influence how data is
interpreted or analysed.
Data sharing and integration
SKF @ptitude Observer can integrate to external/third party SKF @ptitude Observer supports data tagging, in which a text
systems at many levels. In addition to the Phoenix internal string can be appended to measurements either via manual
(self-hosting) web service: input or automatically through OPC UA.

Using OPC UA, measurement data can be exchanged with an Operating classes, (another SKF @ptitude Observer feature),
OPC UA server. This is fully bi-directional and capable of are different operating conditions in which a machine normally
receiving complementary (typically process) data from, or operates. By using multiple gating measurement points,
providing trend data or alarm status to, external systems. different alarm levels can be set depending on which operating
class, it is detected, a machine is in. SKF @ptitude Observer
UFF file export, provides a means to exchange measurement supports two “active” operating classes (and effectively a third
data related to investigations of structural response and potential passive, “no operating class”).
resonance conditions. By using the “Universal File Format”,
data can be ported into software that can provide animations Machine parts module
to support Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) analyses. Create a model of a machine – an intuitive drag and drop
design kinematics tool.
Calculated Machine Speed
Helps in vibration analysis of both fixed speed and variable These models can include components, such as shafts,
speed machines in cases where a physical speed sensor or gearboxes, motors, pulleys, impellers, bearings etc.
Modbus speed signal is unavailable in the data acquisition
device. The Calculated Machine Speed is post-processed in Ingenuous and effective identification of which machine
Observer. component is generating a particular anomaly.

The system can automatically calculate fault indicators of

It uses data stored in dynamic database measurements (FFT
each part, or the user can simulate the machine’s fault
spectrum) from SKF online systems IMx-S, IMx-8/16, IMx-1 or
frequencies.
external sources of speed readings as input for speed extraction
and association of speed with the asset’s dynamic vibration
measurements. This function should be applied mainly for
machines with low-speed deviations during the measurement
data set to avoid inaccurate speed association.

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 Other features and capabilities
• Multiple language support • Linear or log amplitude scaling
• Preferences for each individual user • Orders, Hz or cpm, frequency scaling
• User rights management • FFT post process (integration/differentiation)
• Pre-configured user roles • Support for derived points
• Automatic e-mail or SMS generation • Multiple gating points (MGP)
• Password encryption for database login • Run-out compensation
• TLS encryption for secure connectifity • Multi-plane balancing
• Each new session, starts from where that user’s last • Baseline FFT storage
session ended • Enveloping (gE)
• SKF @ptitude Observer Monitor, supervision • Plots can be used in Live mode
• On-line device supervision • Live update of process overviews (mimics)
• Automatic remote firmware upgrade of all on-line • Advanced data gating
devices • Adaptive alarming
• Sensor BOV (bias output voltage), monitoring • Scalar and vector alarms (as appropriate)
• Event logging • Alarms based on multiple measurements
• Choice of English or metric units • DiagX: the probability that particular machine
• Wizards, to simplify routine tasks parts are linked to a disturbance frequency
• Auto-linking of displays and active hierarchy

Hardware requirements
There are three basic scenarios to be considered:
Processor: For stand-alone and network client installations,
Network configuration – Network Client
a minimum of dual-core CPU with 2.5 GHz or higher.
A computer running only the SKF @ptitude Observer client For an SQL/network server, at least four-core CPU with
software. 2.5 GHz or higher.
Network configuration – Server Note that the above recommendations are for a
“dedicated PC”. Simultaneously running other applications
A computer running the Monitor service and hosting the
may degrade performance.
Microsoft SQL Server database.

Stand-alone configuration RAM: For stand-alone and network server configurations,

A single computer running the SKF @ptitude Observer client a minimum of 8 GB, with more recommended.
software, the Monitor service and hosting the SQL Server For an SQL/network client, 4 GB or higher.
database.
HDD free space: For stand-alone and network server
configurations, a minimum of 1.2 GB for the software
installation is required. Note that additional storage
space for data is required.
For each network client, 1 GB or more is recommended,
0.5 GB minimum.

Other requirements: Stand-alone and network clients

require a display with a minimum resolution of 1366 × 768
with 1920 × 1200 or larger recommended. Note that SKF
@ptitude Observer is designed for a default Windows font
size (smaller:100%). Using a larger font size may result in
display anomalies in some interfaces/forms.

An effective backup system and procedure is highly

recommended.

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Software requirements
SKF @ptitude Observer software, includes the following
components:
SKF @ptitude Observer client software and the Monitor
service support all Windows versions from Windows 7,
• @ptitude Observer
including server operating systems, and with each
@ptitude Observer release, the aim is to support any • @ptitude Observer database administrator
newly introduced versions. • @ptitude Observer Monitor
• @ptitude Observer on-line device configurator
Whilst @ptitude Observer supports 32 and 64-bit operating
systems, the Monitor service requires 64-bit. It is always • @ptitude Observer Data Bridge
recommended to install the latest available service packs.

Note that an admin-level account will be required to

Online device compatibility
install the software and run the Monitor Manager tool. SKF @ptitude Observer software, works with all SKF Multilog
On-line System IMx devices and MasCon 16 devices, except
For stand-alone and network server installations, Microsoft the IMx-M (version 10.5 and later).
SQL server 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 or 2022 is required.
Microsoft SQL server software has its own operating
system requirements, depending on the version.

Ordering information
Please contact your local SKF representative for ordering
information and support for specific configurations, site
licences and upgrades.

Your local SKF representative can also provide information

on Product Support Plans (PSP), installation and training
services.

Alternatively contact SKF at:

SKF Sweden
Ålgatan 10D, 973 34 Luleå, Sweden
Tel: +46 31 337 1000
Support: +46 31 337 6500
Web: www.skf.com/cm

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PUB CM/P8 10253/15 EN · January 2024
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