Going on its sixth year as the industry’s only international predictive maintenance conference focused on ultrasonic and complementary technologies, Ultrasound World has offered plant maintenance professionals the unique ability to share inspection challenges and learn about real-world, proven strategies that result in real-time ROI.
At a time when almost every plant manager is looking for new ways to reduce both costs and carbon footprint, Ultrasound World has offered a different experience for attendees - providing tools and techniques that all but guarantee a more efficient, safer, and more profitable predictive maintenance program.
Among the 12 presentations, workshops, exhibits, and training courses offered during Ultrasound World V, one of the most memorable was from Dean Wolever of Herman Miller, Inc. A longtime advocate of ultrasound technology, during his presentation on Generating Savings from an Ultrasound Inspection Program, he stated that “Ultrasound inspection paid for itself the first time we used it to locate a welding gas leak,” going on to say that to date he has demonstrated a savings of $250,000 in leaks alone.
Improving the Bottom Line
Due to the existing economy and the need for a significant ramp-up in energy efficiency, the Ultrasound World V conference continued to teach attendees and invited guests easy, effective, and timely ways to improve their bottom line while simultaneously reducing energy. And although Ultrasound World focuses on how ultrasonic detectors convert ultrasonic frequencies into an audible range to pinpoint existing or potential plant equipment problems caused by airborne or structureborne mechanical, electric, or fluid systems, the conference also promotes complementary technologies such as infrared and vibration inspection programs.
Although most of these technologies have been available for more than 35 years, many companies have barely touched on their potential for reducing energy costs and improving equipment performance levels. Ultrasound World showcases this knowledge from those responsible for plant performance every day.
Ultrasound World VI launches May 10, 2010 in Clearwater Beach, FL. The 3-day conference will continue to feature presentations from plant maintenance professionals, sharing their insights. Attendees can also expect to receive invaluable international peer-to-peer networking opportunities, information on improving asset availability, increased productivity, and plant-generated ROI, concepts for improved maintenance practices, and an overall better understanding of how ultrasound works with other PdM technologies.
Leaving with a Plan
Each attendee should leave with new enthusiasm for implementing plant-wide savings through ultrasound and should return home with an immediate game plan for increasing profit and decreasing energy consumption.
“The results of ultrasound are immediate and undeniable,” says Chuck Peterson, president of Peterson Predictive Maintenance and a recent presenter at Ultrasound World. “I remember using ultrasound for a client’s compressed air inspection program. After one quarter, the ROI was 2 to 1.” Peterson continued, “The cost of the Ultraprobe® inspection device we recommended to them was roughly $11,000 compared to the $25-30,000 they saved on compressed air leak detection. In fact, since we introduced ultrasound to their PdM program, they have not had the need for one new compressor, creating a savings of $225,000. Yes, if you are not intimately familiar with ultrasound technology, this conference is important. Very important.”
UE Systems, Inc., provider of ultrasound detection equipment and producer of the Ultraprobe® inspection gun. hosts the annual event.
"Each year the Utrasound World events keep getting better and better," says Alan Bandes, vp of marketing for UE Systems. "We (at UE Systems) really pride ourselves on planning the conference because we feel it’s imperative that plant professionals continue to learn how the technology can improve plant performance, save costs, and streamline efficiency -- hopefully with a result that encourages an economic stimulus for those organizations.”