Endoscopy

In our experience, the gearbox is not examined thoroughly during normal service visits by manufacturers or service companies. A service visit is therefore no guarantee that the gearbox is in good condition. Oil analysis does not give a condition assessment of the gearbox either.

Advantages

• Access to parts of the gearbox that can otherwise only be inspected after dismantling.
• A non-destructive test: no parts of the gearbox are damaged.
• No special operating conditions, wind speed, production or temperature required.
• No other method can photograph the inside of the bearings without dismantling.

Limitations

• An endoscopy is a spot check. Only a small part of the gearbox is seen.
• Some places cannot be reached because of the gearbox design.
• Components may be covered in oil, and in some cases oil has to be drained.

When to choose an endoscopy

• When the gearbox warranty expires.
• When you want to know if the gearbox can be repaired on site.
• When there are signs of trouble: noise, vibration, or metal particles in the oil or filter.
• Before investing in a used turbine.
• With known faults, to follow how they develop and choose the right time to replace.
• When another main component is replaced. It can pay to examine the gearbox while the crane is on site anyway.