Condition monitoring is evolving from fault detection into decision support. According to SKF, success is no longer defined by how much data is collected, but by how confidently maintenance teams can extend maintenance intervals and reduce maintenance costs through earlier, more informed decisions.
At SMM 2026, the company will present the new IMx-16 GEN2 condition monitoring system.
Designed for continuous condition monitoring, the IMx-16 is intended for critical maritime applications such as thrusters, pods and gearboxes. It captures multiple parameters simultaneously and analyses them using increased processing power and high-resolution FFT capabilities.
Rather than looking at individual values in isolation, the system provides a synchronised picture of machine health, making faults easier to detect and interpret. Combined with SKF @ptitude software, the information is translated into maintenance recommendations to support maintenance teams in deciding on the next steps.
The IMx-16 has been developed for integration into existing industrial environments. Two independent Gigabit Ethernet interfaces allow integration into separate network domains with individual IP settings, while cloud connectivity simplifies system integration. Backwards compatibility with earlier SKF systems is intended to protect existing investments while supporting future upgrades.
Cybersecurity is also becoming an increasingly important requirement. With IACS UR E26 and E27 placing greater emphasis on cyber resilience, the IMx-16 is designed to support compliance while protecting both machine data and operational continuity.
According to SKF, the IMx-16 moves condition monitoring beyond data collection by helping maintenance teams identify developing faults before they become costly interruptions.
Hall A1, Booth 210
