Ultratrend DMS 2, which has been designed for use with the Ultraprobe 9000 and Ultraprobe 10,000, is the complete ultrasonic data management system. This software allows you to quickly create a database and organise your inspection data across multiple plants and many different applications.

Once you have created your plant using the simple wizard, you select an application from the list (e.g. bearings, leaks, etc). We can then break the plant down further by using groups and locations, before creating the record itself (e.g. a bearing on a machine). It is these records that contain all of the data we collect when using the Ultraprobe.

After we have created this hierarchy, we can upload part of it to the Ultraprobe itself. This 'route' will then take the operator from point to point to record the next reading. When the operator is finished, we can download this new data to the software (requiring almost no user input) for archiving or trending purposes.

When these readings have been downloaded to Ultratrend DMS 2, the basic inspection data recorded by the Ultraprobe is then viewable on the fields screen. This information includes the date and time, dB level, frequency, sensitivity, module used and much more. If we also recorded a sound file using the Ultraprobe 10,000, this is automatically downloaded and linked to the relevant reading as well. We can then play this sound file back and analyse it further using UE Spectralyzer.

Using as much or as little of this information as we choose, we can then plot and print graphs and trend the data over a period of time (e.g. to predict when a bearing may fail). We can also export all of this data to Microsoft Excel, set alarms which alert us to potential problems using a two-colour coding system and even associate images (e.g. digital photographs and infrared images) with a record.

UE Spectralyzer, which is included with the Ultraprobe 10,000, integrates with Ultratrend DMS 2 to transform your computer into a fully functioning Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyser, giving you the tools to perform basic spectral analysis on sound files (recorded using the Ultraprobe).

To give you a bit of background, a spectrum analyser creates a visual image of a sound file by displaying the amplitude and frequency components of the recorded sound, similar to that of an oscilloscope (which shows time and amplitude).

Some of the features of UE Spectralyzer include...

• Playback, real-time and record modes
• Spectrum and time series displays
• 44.1 kHz sampling rate, with frequency span of up to 1/2 of the selected rate
• Spectral overlays (for visually comparing two or more sound files)
• Frequency markers, averaging and spectral weighing (exponential and linear)
• And alarms (low and high frequency, as well as dB set-points)

This software is automatically opened up when we play a sound file which is linked to a reading in Ultratrend DMS 2, but can also be used independently of the aforementioned software if preferred.

To help quantify and cost the compressed air leaks that you find when using the Ultraprobe, we have created these handy Loss Guess-Timators.

To learn more or to actually use one, please choose your model from the following list...

• Ultraprobe 100
• Ultraprobe 550
• Ultraprobe 2000
• Ultraprobe 3000
• Ultraprobe 9000
• Ultraprobe 10,000

Unfortunately, calculating the cost of a leak isn't an exact science. It is worth keeping in mind that factors such as instrument sensitivity, leak orifice configuration, moisture, pressure and turbulence can all significantly affect your results.

Should you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss any of this further, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.