CM Technologies continues to push forward with its engine cylinder wear detection system, a technology designed to identify the early onset of wear in two-stroke marine diesel engines—before costly damage occurs.
Following successful ship trials in 2024 on containerships and Baltic ferries, the sensor system has gained broader attention across the maritime industry throughout 2025, offering shipping operators a new way to mitigate catastrophic engine failures linked to scuffing and liner wear.
Monitoring Cylinder Health in Real Time
The CM Technologies solution uses acoustic emissions (AE) sensors to detect friction-related issues inside the engine cylinders while the engine is still operating.
This real-time capability is crucial: scuffing—the extreme wear caused by the breakdown of lubrication between piston rings and cylinder liners—can happen suddenly, often without visual warning.
By capturing changes in high-frequency vibrations and stress waves emitted when microscopic damage forms, the AE sensors provide early alerts that traditional methods like oil drain analysis, liner wall temperature checks, or manual inspections often miss.
“Timing is crucial. The technology alerts operators early enough to take corrective action before serious engine damage occurs,” explains Matthias Winkler, Managing Director at CM Technologies.
How the Detection System Works
The sensor system employs electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) with integrated amplifiers, tuned specifically to detect sound waves associated with material cracking, friction, delamination, and cavitation. Captured data is analyzed using CMT’s proprietary software, giving operators clear indicators of developing lubrication failures or mechanical distress within the engine.
Unlike traditional inspection methods, the system requires no engine shutdowns, ensuring continuous operation and proactive maintenance.
Addressing a Longstanding Industry Challenge
Sudden liner wear has historically been difficult to catch early due to the long running times and inaccessibility of marine diesel engines during voyage operations.
Conventional detection tools often identify problems only after significant wear has already occurred, limiting intervention options and increasing repair costs.
By providing a real-time, in-operation monitoring solution, CM Technologies’ system is helping fleet operators reduce unplanned downtime, lower repair expenses, and extend the operational life of their engines.
As shipping companies face increasing pressure to improve reliability and minimize maintenance costs in 2025, real-time condition monitoring tools like CMT’s wear detection system are becoming an essential part of modern maritime asset management.
