Emerson’s AMS Machine Works software continues to advance in the mission to unite the full breadth of condition monitoring and vibration technologies making up the AMS machinery health management lineup—including route-based portables, wireless sensing, edge AI-analytics and online prediction-plus-protection systems—under a single software platform.

By bringing all modern AMS condition monitoring tools together under a unified interfacing software, AMS Machine Works version 1.8 aims to simplify data use, enabling teams to make informed decisions and optimize maintenance activities. Version 1.8 of AMS Machine Works introduces an abundance of customer-centric improvements, including a more intuitive experience for new users, improved dashboards, menus and navigation, support for more data acquisition equipment, advanced analysis tools, role-based user management, and more – all created with human-centered, user-assisting functionality.

For the first time ever, data collected from the AMS 2140 Machinery Health Analyzer, a stalwart portable tool used by thousands of users in plants across the globe, will integrate directly into AMS Machine Works software. Emerson’s release of this much anticipated feature, along with a fully revamped UI and menu structure, cybersecurity, workflow orchestration, route and case management, and more will set a new high watermark for industrial machinery condition monitoring platforms.

AMS 2140 Machinery Health Analyzer Compatibility

The AMS 2140 is Emerson’s portable, multi-channel vibration analyzer designed to assess the condition of rotating machinery. It offers four-channel simultaneous data collection, allowing users to measure multiple points on the machine.

The AMS 2140 adjoins other AMS condition monitoring hardware like the AMS Wireless Vibration Monitor, AMS Asset Monitor, AMS 6500 ATG, and AMS 9420 Wireless Vibration Transmitter, under one, consolidated software system.

Previously, the AMS 2140 required the use of AMS Machinery Manager, the legacy predecessor to the more advanced AMS Machine Works platform. This setup often involved switching between software systems, managing more licenses, and other extra tasks.

Portable Device Agent

AMS Machine Works v1.8 includes a new Portable Device Agent—a lightweight service that enables a user’s laptop to sense when an AMS 2140 connects to the USB port. Once the device is sensed and discovered by the laptop, AMS 2140 communication is then routed to the AMS Machine Works server. Now, users will be ready to transfer routes and condition monitoring data from the AMS 2140 to the AMS Machine Works database. Additionally, the service will also support Wi-Fi and Ethernet communication.

Routes

Traditional route-based condition monitoring is a proactive approach to asset management where maintenance technicians or engineers use portable diagnostic tools to regularly collect data from rotating machinery (like pumps, motors, gearboxes, and others), following a predefined, pre-loaded route of equipment to be monitored around a facility or process unit – a method that has been used for decades. The primary goal is to detect early signs of equipment failure and avoid unexpected breakdowns by analyzing vibration, temperature, and other operational parameters. Just as they have done for years in AMS Machinery Manager, AMS 2140 users will now be able to configure and modify routes in AMS Machine Works v1.8, as well as setting analysis parameters and alarms.

Assisted “Smart” Routes

AMS Machine Works v1.8 also adds new route functionality for the AMS 2140 that was never available in AMS Machinery Manager: a new capability to assist the user after editing a route, locating AMS 2140 units nearby to push the updates to. Users will then see on individual portable units which routes have become out of date and can allow updates in a single click.

Machine Train Builder

Machine configuration workflows are more intuitive, user-assisted, and draw from many more machinery asset types in AMS Machine Works v1.8

Version 1.8 incorporates a more user-friendly design, while also offering users of previous iterations of AMS Machine Works (and AMS Machinery Manager) reasonable levels of familiarity they can build on as they unlock value with the many new features and benefits. Conversely, brand new users of the software will find version 1.8 an advantageous starting point due to the highly intuitive, user-assisting nature of the software. This improvement reflects Emerson’s commitment to a human-centered design approach.

The human-centered design approach becomes especially clear when configuring machines in the Machine Train Builder module. Here, users will find an intuitive drag-and-drop diagramming tool, a more streamlined design workflow, redesigned menus, and an extensive library of specialized asset types—with domain expertise embedded into the fabric of the software. These features truly shine while mapping measurement locations of sensor devices, setting measurement and analysis alerts and schedules, generating waveform signal processing, configuring portable devices, and finally, “commissioning” the train to activate and initiate machine monitoring.

Machine building and configuration will greatly increase capacity to support more assets within one machine train. Version 1.8 will add custom fault frequencies, the ability to set more alarms per measurement point, short and transient waveform collection for the AMS 6500 ATG, and more customization for analysis parameters.

New Dashboards and Analysis Interfaces

 A Landing Page Built for Efficiency

AMS Machine Works’ new dashboard offers a powerful combination of data accessibility, intuitive navigation, advanced analysis tools, user-friendly design, advanced prioritization capabilities, and a more seamless workflow, enabling maintenance teams to work smarter, not harder. The new landing page in AMS Machine Works functions as a centralized hub, giving users an at-a-glance view of essential KPIs and tools that are frequently accessed. The design reflects modern code and a user-focused approach, organizing information into intuitive panels that highlight top priorities right from the start. This design ensures that from the moment a user logs in, they are presented with the data that matters most.

 Prioritizing Assets by Criticality and Alarms

One of the standout features of the new dashboard is its dynamic prioritization system. If the user has provided an asset criticality ranking, the software can detect alarms in real time, multiply the asset criticality score by the alarm criticality, and generate a list of equipment ranked by urgency. This functionality makes it simple to identify which machine trains or pieces of equipment need immediate attention—ensuring that the most critical issues are at the top of a user’s to-do list. The prioritization tool helps maintenance teams focus their efforts where it matters most, potentially preventing costly breakdowns or extended downtime.

 Effortless Workflow from Landing Page to Detailed Dashboards 

AMS Machine Works is all about minimizing clicks and maximizing insights. From the landing page, users can easily drill down into the dashboard of a specific machine train with a single click, making it easy to access more in-depth information for high-priority assets. This seamless transition from the overview to the individual asset’s dashboard makes it simple to navigate through equipment details without wasting time. 

Visual Recognition and Asset Status at a Glance

The design of the dashboard isn’t just functional; it’s visually intuitive. AMS Machine Works includes graphics specifically designed to make machine identification quick and easy. For example, if a critical alarm is detected on a gearbox, users can instantly recognize the issue visually. Clicking into the gearbox provides an immediate breakdown of measurement locations, measurement points, and measured parameters that triggered the alarm—making it easier than ever to locate and address problems.

Real-Time Data and Recent Values

For maintenance professionals, having access to up-to-the-minute data is crucial. The new AMS Machine Works dashboard presents the most recent measurement values for each piece of equipment, giving users a live look at asset performance. This real-time data is especially helpful for tracking the health of critical components, allowing for faster response to emerging issues.

Contextual Launch for Vibration Analysis

One of the most exciting features of the new dashboard is the contextual launch capability for the vibration analysis tool. Users can launch this advanced tool directly from the dashboard, whether they’re looking at a trend, measurement point, or specific machine parameter. The contextual launch functionality means that users can go directly from identifying a potential issue to analyzing vibration data in a browser-based tool, without having to navigate through additional menus or applications. This streamlined process enables users to dive deep into root cause analysis with minimal friction, accelerating decision-making and facilitating quicker resolutions.

Multi-Level Access to Critical Details

AMS Machine Works understands the need for flexibility. The new dashboard allows users to interact with information at various levels, from a high-level machine train overview down to specific measurement points and individual parameters. This multi-level access gives users the freedom to choose how detailed they want their insights to be, providing everything from a quick summary to an in-depth analysis in just a few clicks.

AMS 6500 ATG Prediction 

For anyone invested in industrial asset health monitoring for high-criticality assets like compressors, turbines, generators, and others, the AMS 6500 ATG module integrated into AMS Machine Works offers exciting possibilities. In version 1.8, AMS Machine Works not only streamlines monitoring capabilities but enhances data visualization and device configuration and supports advanced analytics on asset health—all with an intuitive user interface. The AMS 6500 ATG Agent is responsible for configuring devices, visualizing device statuses, channels, and sensor health, and facilitating data collections from connected AMS 6500 ATG devices. The design places configuration and diagnostics right at a user’s fingertips, making it easier than ever to monitor and manage critical equipment:

• Device status visualization: Real-time status display of devices, channels, and sensors for quick diagnostics.
• Configuration of data collections: Allows users to set up the native scalar collections (overall vibration levels, for example) and define additional analytical parameters that the ATG device will calculate.
• Transient graph support: The system processes waveforms collected by AMS 6500 ATG devices, transforming them into spectrums and derived parameters for in-depth analysis.

The agent in the AMS 6500 ATG is the powerhouse that takes data collection to the next level. The ATG’s smart monitoring capabilities can not only perform on-demand and scheduled collections, but can also generate transient graphs through multiple internal triggers, such as RPM changes or alarm conditions. One of the notable features is Store on Alert and Store on Demand functionality, allowing operators to keep important data precisely when needed for predictive analysis. The transient data, which can be published based on requests, provides high-resolution insights during critical events such as startups or shutdowns. A significant leap in this AMS Machine Works release is the adoption of MongoDB as the primary vibration database. By consolidating data into MongoDB, users gain:

The AMS 6500 ATG is designed to easily replace obsolete protection systems, allowing users to cost-effectively initiate online prediction monitoring of critical rotating machinery assets like steam turbine generators, gas turbines, boiler feed pumps, offshore compressors, pipeline turbo compressors, chemical industry compressors, turbo exhausters, blowers, boosters and more.

• High-resolution trend data: MongoDB’s single-source data structure enables fine-grained, continuous trend data, which has been a common customer request.

Efficient transient graph management: Users no longer need to choose between long-term transient graphs for analysis and short snapshots. Both options are available, empowering operators to retain full recordings for transient plotting tools while also capturing short snapshots for spectrum and waveform analysis.

This database unification delivers a streamlined experience, reducing the duality of data sources and making it easier for teams to access high-quality, long-term asset information.

The addition of the AMS 6500 ATG brings notable improvements in transient graph functionality. Users can now retain graphs as recordings for transient plotting tools, or trim them to short waveforms for quick-spectrum analysis. This dual approach provides flexibility, especially for those who need detailed transient analysis over longer time spans. Additionally, the AMS 6500 ATG now includes optimized transient graph features to enhance predictive functionalities, such as anticipating vibration patterns that may precede asset failures. In v1.8, operators can manage multiple waveform collections based on triggers like scheduled events, RPM shifts, and alarms. Each device card in the system captures transient data specific to these triggers, making it easier to isolate and address fluctuations in asset health.

New Interface for the AMS 6500 ATG: Functional and Intuitive

AMS Machine Works offers an upgraded network device module interface that stands out in both functionality and transparency:

• Detailed device information: AMS 6500 ATG devices are prominently displayed in the AMS 6500 ATG section, where users can navigate to individual device details. The interface shows all configured collections, device status, and channel health, providing a holistic view at a glance.
• On-Demand and scheduled collections: Operators can easily configure demand-based collections or schedule regular data capture. This flexibility is crucial for those who need precise control over data collection intervals.
• Waveform collection review: The new module lists different transient waveforms collected by each ATG device card, making it easier to manage and interpret various data types, from RPM-triggered snapshots to longer recordings for detailed transient analysis.

As a strategic solution that grows with operational needs, the AMS 6500 ATG module is ready to support the requirements of modern asset management.

Conclusion

AMS Machine Works is relied on by reliability engineers, maintenance technicians, condition monitoring specialists, predictive maintenance analysts, asset managers, vibration analysts, plant engineers, maintenance supervisors, industrial automation engineers, and others.

Over the course of 2025, Emerson will begin working with customers to migrate historical information from their AMS Machinery Manager system into the latest version of AMS Machine Works.

With the mission of helping users consolidate licensing, acquire and analyze data more efficiently, and support end-to-end condition monitoring programs within one platform, Emerson is arriving at one of the most comprehensive and significant historical development milestones for the AMS machinery health management product line. Emerson’s AMS Machine Works v1.8 marks a much anticipated, significant leap forward in condition monitoring, offering a unified platform that integrates advanced tools for industrial machinery health management.