by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Jul 3, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
When beginning work with new clients, I like to ask, “what would you change if given a magic wand?” Interestingly, the number-one answer isn’t management: It’s their maintenance software.There are many reasons the incumbent maintenance software, more commonly referred...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Jun 27, 2021 | Newsletter Column, RAM Tools & Methods
Whenever I perform a Maintenance Operation Effectiveness Review (MOER) for a client, rarely do I find a maintainer who is truly satisfied with his or her current state. Many believe they are undervalued and misunderstood. Although most would welcome the chance to be...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Jun 19, 2021 | Asset Management, Lubrication Corner
I was recently asked, “Why are lubricants so different? Why can’t we simply buy a ‘one fits all’ oil and grease?” I explained that the old farmers axiom, “Oil is oil, any oil will do,” may have had some merit 100 years ago, but it doesn’t now. In...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Jun 11, 2021 | RAM Tools & Methods
When confronted with performing maintenance on a newly purchased and installed machine versus an older machine covered in production swarf, oil, grease, dirt, water, and accumulated grime, on which would you prefer to work? Good housekeeping is an essential and...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Jun 6, 2021 | Asset Management, Lubrication Corner
If a machine is to provide service life past its warranty stage, its designer must envision and consider all operating conditions under which the machine will operate in the field. For example, to mitigate the effects of severe and semi-severe conditions, the design...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | May 22, 2021 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods
Have you ever wanted to implement a maintenance improvement program or project, only to have it voted down or shelved by management? Sadly, many great ideas, even if they make great economic sense, never receive sponsorship unless presented to management in the...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | May 16, 2021 | Newsletter Column, RAM Tools & Methods
For many years, the all-purpose tool was well represented by the Swiss army knife. In time, favor turned to the Leatherman multi-tool and its many facsimiles. Although these previous-generation items are still useful, they pale in comparison to today’s...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | May 1, 2021 | Asset Management, Lubrication Corner
When a lubricant manufacturer decides to update or develop a new lubricant for market, it begins by developing a lubricant specification. Built around a series of industry-defined parameters, performance standards and tests, this specification becomes a lubricant’s...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Apr 22, 2021 | The RAM Library Collection
This is Sanya Mathura’s first book, and it’s aimed squarely at the “Achilles Heel” of all mechanical-equipment-reliability programs: effective lubrication. TITLE:Lubrication Degradation Mechanisms – A Complete Guide AUTHOR:Sanya Mathura, MLManaging Director...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Apr 17, 2021 | Maintenance Management, Newsletter Column
If you have ever heard anyone in your organization state, “We’ve always done it that way,” chances are that you’re stuck in a paradigm. And it’s a paradigm that’s likely ill-suited to your current needs and requirements. This paradigm...
