DATscan®
A DATscan is a cold drum (performed when a rotary dryer or unit is shut down) engineering survey that measures system alignment. A DATscan gives you baseline measurements to inform your maintenance and repair decisions for your rotary equipment. Whether you’re preparing for a plant shutdown or in the middle of one, a DATscan is a great tool to help guide your next steps concerning your rotary unit. This precision engineering survey is checked three ways and boasts an accuracy of +/-0.040”.
The Deliverable
DATscan
A cold drum engineering survey for rotary dryers
Information included:
- System Slope
- Base Slope
- Support Roller / Trunnion Slope
- Tire / Roller Angle
- Brief Visual Inspection
- And More!
Types of Measurements
When the DATscan is performed, each tire (tyre) / riding ring will be surveyed to establish a unit center point, horizontal misalignment, and unit slope. Support rollers / trunnions will be surveyed to establish their relationship to each tire and support roller / trunnion slope and one base at each pier will be surveyed for center reference points. Additionally, a brief visual inspection will be performed on the rotary unit to detect any noticeable problems and recommendations for adjustments will be made.
How Does the DATscan Work?
The DATscan involves the use of optical instrumentation and specially designed software that communicates wirelessly with multiple tools to gather data. It is a cold drum survey engineering survey and the rotary dryer or rotary unit must be shutdown to perform this engineering service.
Why Schedule a DATscan?
If you are unsure of your baseline measurements as designed and initially installed, experiencing aggressive or excessive, unexpected wear even after an alignment or as a periodic check of baseline as a measure of your maintenance performance (recommended every two years) and as part of a continuous improvement initiative.
Quick View of a Float vs. DATscan
DATscan
- Alignment such as slope
- Can determine roller coordinate system
- Can get base slope information
- Determine base setting if any
- Determine diameters of tires and rollers
- Compare coordinates to base centers
Float
- Referred to as skew, thrust neutralization, or balancing a rotary unit
- Ensures the rollers give a balanced uphill thrust
Information included in the DATscan:
- System Slope
- Base Slope
- Support Roller / Trunnion Slope
- Tire / Roller Angle
- Brief Visual Inspection