Use of Magnetic Flux Leakage to Diagnose Damage to a Lift Guide Rails System with Reference to the Sustainability Aspect

Abstract

The scientific objective of the conducted experimental research was to find an answer as to whether the application of magnetic flux leakage would be an effective tool for assessing the technical condition of lift guide rails in which the loss of thickness of the guide part is damage resulting from the brake whose operation destructively affects the surface shown. In particular, the scientific objective was to investigate the potential of this method in the context of quantitative assessment of the degree of damage featuring small increments in depth at the level of tenths of a millimetre. The conducted research was also aimed at determining the correlation of the effect of damage type with the nature of the signal recorded. The article presents the results of our own research, obtained from experiments on the use of magnetic flux leakage (MFL) to diagnose damage occurring on lift guide rails. During operation, lift guide rails are exposed to contact with the friction elements of brakes, resulting in the violation of their surfaces. Damage to the working surfaces of guide rails increases the vibration of the device, noise and wear of other components of the lift, such as guide rails. Currently, diagnostics of lift guide rails are not carried out, and their replacement depends on their technical condition. However, from an economic point of view, there are situations wherein their condition allows their use without their replacement with new ones. This was the main factor that guided the authors; we used a diagnostic head of our own design for the tests. The obtained measurement results showed that magnetic flux leakage can be used with great success to diagnose damage to guide rails. The results obtained in the laboratory shall be further developed in the form of research on correlating the signals obtained from magnetic sensors and the size of the damage, which shall eventually allow for a final quantitative assessment of guide rails regarding their technical condition. The conducted research fits into the scope of sustainable development by reducing the need for the consumption of electric energy and the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere in the overall production balance. This will be made possible by implementing the developed head in industrial practice in the context of assessing the need to replace guide rails with new ones. The economic and environmental efficiency that is the basis of sustainable development in the context of lifts can be achieved at the modernisation stage by repeated (further) use of as many components as possible. An example of this is the guide rail system, the reuse of which is possible after a prior assessment of its wear and tear.