by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Nov 8, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
Rotor defects are the most strenuously investigated areas related to Current and Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA). Air-gap eccentricities are the second. What’s interesting is that the rotor-defect issues are one of the least-expected causes of failure for a...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Nov 7, 2020 | Asset Management, Plant Operations
Older readers of The RAM Review may remember inventor Ron Popeil’s entertaining infomercials for his rotisserie oven and his mantra “set it and forget it.” You could load the meat for cooking, set the cooking details, and go on about your business because the machine...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Nov 7, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods
The ways many businesses measure financial performance with standard cost accounting may be at odds with reliability improvement. Likewise, production-scheduling standards can also mute the importance of reliability improvement. As a top executive once explained to...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Nov 7, 2020 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Years ago, I learned how to systematically and successfully tackle equipment-failure events. I later conveyed these learnings to others and was fortunate in seeing them apply the principles. A key to successful application is to see/learn how others do...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Nov 1, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
If your plant depends on a dedicated group of reliability professionals to first collect and then analyze machinery vibration and other equipment-condition data, you’re not alone. They’re probably assigned to this task because your organization knows that an...
by Jane Alexander, Managing Editor | Nov 1, 2020 | Solution of the Week, Solution Showcase
FLIR Systems, Inc., Arlington, VA, has introduced four new Exx-Series advanced thermal imaging cameras: the E96, E86, E76, and E54. Compared to earlier Exx-Series cameras, these additions offer enhanced thermal resolution for more vibrant, easy-to-read images, and...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Oct 31, 2020 | Lubrication Corner, Planning & Scheduling
Talking about the weather is a national pastime. It would appear we are obsessed with it. Yet, many maintenance organizations are often poorly positioned to deal with the problems that weather changes pose for their facilities and machinery, especially when cold...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Oct 31, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
In parts I through IV of this series (see links below), we discussed the theories behind stator-slot signature in relation to Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) and Current Signature Analysis (CSA). This week, we discuss a real-world example based on Fig. 1, and...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Oct 30, 2020 | The Sustainable Plant
And so the quest began. The front cover of the Jan. 14, 1911, issue of Scientific American featured Thomas A. Edison and his improved storage battery. He had invented the alkaline storage battery in 1901, and spent years perfecting this achievement before placing it...
by Jane Alexander, Managing Editor | Oct 25, 2020 | Solution of the Week, Solution Showcase
Honeywell, Houston, TX, has announced the release of its Immersive Field Simulator (IFS), an advanced industrial-training solution that incorporates 3D technology with operator-training simulation to create a collaborative learning environment for operators...
