News / Building Bulletin

Tarmac embraces Schaeffler OPTIME solution

04 April 2024

Schaeffler’s OPTIME wireless condition monitoring solution is helping prevent unplanned downtime of machines and auxiliary equipment at the Tarmac Tunstead limestone plant near Buxton, Derbyshire, UK. The site benefits from the early detection of equipment failures, as the OPTIME app keeps the maintenance team informed on the condition of the machines at all times, without them having to take manual readings. Tarmac Tunstead is home to one of the largest limestone quarries in Europe.  Prior to installing OPTIME, the plant has relied on route-based condition monitoring services provided by Schaeffler UK. Every two months, a Schaeffler field service engineer would visit the site to take vibration measurements on a variety of critical plant and equipment to identify any deterioration of rolling bearings and other general mechanical components such as gears and fan blades.  Although this approach worked well, it relied too much on time-based maintenance and was more ‘reactive...