

A Human-Body Analogy For Equipment Asset Management
No single element makes for a healthy human. The same holds true for healthy plant equipment. Using this analogy, the author describes all the live-body “parts” that keep a site’s money-maker systems up and running.

Three Little Words: ‘Made In China’
The U.S. knows how to compete successfully in almost any market in the world today and has the strengths to do it. So why aren’t we? It’s up to all of us, from CEOs to technicians in our plants, to help change the current dynamic.

Treat Your Specialized Tools As Assets
An effective tool-inventory-management system can contribute significantly to maintenance efficiency at a site. Unfortunately, this best-practice strategy is often overlooked or poorly executed in today’s plants.

Concepts In Machine Learning (ML) With Electrical Signature Analysis (Part II)
In short, the concepts around ML and predictive analytics are very similar to what’s already been going on in the RAM arena. This article begins a discussion about some of the algorithms used in these types of systems.

Revisiting Pump Life Expectancy Statistics
Many pump users may not realize that the MTBF and other performance targets for their fluid-handling systems were published almost 20 years ago. Those pump and component lifetimes should be readily achievable today.

‘We Can Only Achieve Digital Transformation Together’
An interview with Andreas Weber, Ph.D., of Enovik, provides insight on the 4th Open Production & Maintenance Community e.V (4th OPMC) and its aim to help safeguard Germany’s economic future in the context of digitization.

Developing Problem-Solving Workplaces
How about this new normal we’re in? It’s not just COVID-19 that’s been challenging traditional ways of running plants and facilities, though. Other situations are also accelerating demand for systematic problem solving.

Educating Managers: When, Where, How
Professional knowledge comes from pertinent education. For true professionals, acquiring this education as adults requires reading. Motivating employees to read should be something for which good managers get credit.

Get Gatekeeping Right For Maintenance Work Prioritization
According to the author, whether the work involves routine maintenance or is shutdown/turnaround/outage (STO)-related, effective gatekeeping is essential to success. This article explains how to handle the process.

A Timeless And Most Effective Maintenance Strategy
It’s been said that everything old is new again. The simple, universal, inexpensive, easy-to-implement strategy describe here can substantially increase equipment reliability. And it’s been available to industry for ages.