Preventing failures by detecting vibrations and leaks with Spot

Boston Dynamics continues collaborating with its official business partners (like us) to enhance the value of its Spot platform. One of the most effective ways companies see a return on their investment with Spot is through acoustic leak detection. While Spot manages the mobilization and autonomous navigation, the Fluke SV600 helps operators detect ultrasonic noises—often early indicators of equipment failure. Undetected issues like leaks, vibrations, and partial discharges can escalate and lead to costly operational disruptions.

The Fluke SV600 is a non-contact acoustic imaging sensor that continuously scans large areas for anomalies. By identifying problems early, it allows teams to prevent equipment failures without interrupting daily operations. Ideal for maintenance, this sensor can significantly reduce costs by preventing unexpected downtime.

Compressed air leaks and their costly consequences

Many industries rely on compressed air systems, which over time, can degrade or develop pinhole leaks from physical damage. In Canada, energy losses due to compressed air leaks can be as high as 30%. These leaks not only inflate operational costs but also reduce the efficiency and lifespan of equipment. A facility with multiple air leaks could be losing thousands of dollars a month in wasted energy. Detecting and addressing leaks early results in significant savings, improving both energy efficiency and equipment longevity.

Detecting partial discharge before it’s too late

Partial discharge (PD) is a localized dielectric breakdown of a small portion of a solid or fluid electrical insulation system under high voltage stress. While PD doesn’t completely bridge the insulation between conductors, it can gradually degrade the insulation, potentially causing equipment failure over time. In extreme cases, this can lead to dangerous situations, including catastrophic equipment breakdowns. Industries dealing with large-scale electrical infrastructure, especially in Canada, face substantial economic risks if partial discharge goes undetected.

Monitoring rotating equipment for vibration anomalies

Boston Dynamics has expanded the capabilities of the Fluke SV600 to perform ultrasonic inspections of rotating equipment. This feature enables operators to detect early signs of bearing failure, facilitating preventive maintenance to avoid costly downtime. Rotating equipment like conveyors is crucial to production flow, and any failure can bring entire production lines to a standstill. In some industries, downtime costs can exceed thousands of dollars per hour.

Leveraging the power of Spot with the SV600

Originally a fixed sensor, the Fluke SV600 becomes even more powerful when paired with Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot. This combination can greatly improve operational efficiency by automating acoustic inspections. Pre-setting inspection routes and scheduling routine rounds frees up maintenance teams to focus on more innovative and value-added tasks. The automation ensures consistent, reliable data collection, centralized for easy access and analysis. Over time, this dataprovides valuable insights that help prioritize repairs and prevent unplanned downtime.

Boston Dynamics reports that customers using the Fluke SV600 for acoustic leak detection alone often see a return on investment in two years or less. When combined with other tools like thermal detection and AI-powered visual inspection, the benefits for operations are even more dramatic.

Enhancing maintenance procedures with Spot

Does your facility rely on compressed air, high-voltage equipment, or rotating machinery like rollers or bearings? At Osedea, we offer a proof-of-concept with Spot, where our team evaluates how Spot can enhance your workflow and significantly boost the efficiency of your maintenance procedures. Send us a message—we’d love to discuss how we can help make your operations smoother and smarter!