Determinación del estado técnico mediante ultrasonido y frecuencias de mantenimiento preventivo del equipo mecánico del tambor de mezclado de los camiones mixer de la Constructora A&P Cía. Ltda, ubicada en la ciudad de Ambato

Abstract

The objective of this work, was to determine the technical status through ultrasound and preventive maintenance frequencies of the mechanical mixing equipment drum that belongs to the trucks’ mixer Constructora A&P CIA. LTDA, located in Ambato city. The field research, in the maintenance area, a quantitative approach was used both, such as in the creation of a measurement mesh with 432 points in 4 geometric divisions, 3 for the drum and 1 for the drum’s head: as in material thickness measurements. The participatory direct observation technique and the use of ultrasound equipment to measure thicknesses by the echo pulse method established the maximum and minimum values. Consequently, the critical points resulting in the minimum average thickness in the drum’s body 3 with a value of 2.78 mm and it was compared with the theoretical minimum thickness. It is calculated at 2.54 mm according to the technical standard. The material wear of the drums was determined after 3.6 years of operation. So it is finding that the greatest wear is 3.6 mm at point 2 of body 2. So that, it represents an annual wear of 0.98 mm. Finally, the useful life of the equipment was determined, and it is estimated that 50% of the mixing drums have completed their useful life. The investigation results indicated that the minimum inspection frequency should be at least 3.97 months. In conclusion, the truck identified as XBB-2099 has exceeded the useful life of the drum body more than 1 year, while the truck identified as PQM-631 has exceeded the useful life of the drumhead with 3 months. Therefore, it is recommended to get a preventive maintenance plan to guarantee the right functionality of the devices.