by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 25, 2019 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
You probably have long suspected this: Some companies can be their own worst enemies. I offer the following examples, from my perspective as book author/technical writer, of how some companies earn a bad name, while others earn a good one (and good things that come...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Oct 22, 2019 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
One area that is extremely important to electrical reliability and operation of a plant is also one of the least understood. Unfortunately, some have taken advantage of that misunderstanding. This includes associating a reduction in current with reduced energy...
by Jane Alexander, Managing Editor | Oct 21, 2019 | Solution of the Week, Solution Showcase
According to Fluke, Everett, WA, its new 417D Laser Distance Meter speeds layouts with instant, one-button measurements up to 131 ft. (40 m) and an accuracy of 0.08 in. (± 2 mm). Designed for indoor and outdoor applications, the ultra-portable, palm-sized,...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Oct 21, 2019 | Newsletter Column, Planning & Scheduling
Reflecting on history, the maintenance department, as we know it, didn’t appear until the early 20th century, at the advent of the age of mechanization brought about by the likes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Driven by two world wars and a rabid consumer-product...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Oct 19, 2019 | Asset Management, Plant Operations
In almost any discussion of asset management today, we should first understand that ISO 55001:2014 is an international standard for an organization’s “management system for asset management.” The 2014 Standard does not explain HOW to set up an asset management system...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Oct 18, 2019 | Plant Reliability in Dollars and $ense, RAM Tools & Methods
Inspections are essential to any physical-asset-reliability-management initiative. Thus, the importance of monitoring Overall Inspection Effectiveness (OIE) within your operations can’t be overstated. As depicted in the following chart, OIE is the leading metric for...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Oct 18, 2019 | The RAM Library Collection
Savvy maintenance professionals know that the domain of knowledge in a personal library is an essential part of a complete toolkit. So, welcome to The RAM Review’s inaugural “Book of the Month” column, in which. as the name suggests, once a month I preview a...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 18, 2019 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
One of the nicest bonuses that a retiree enjoys is freeness of speech. Here, I’m taking advantage of that “freeness” by sharing a few thoughts on good reliability managers and some of the ways they approach their roles (or should). Consider my points in the...
by Jim Seffrin, CMRP | Oct 18, 2019 | IR Thermography, RAM Tools & Methods
To everything there is a season. The same is true for infrared inspection routes within facilities where equipment or systems are operated seasonally. Traditionally, many facilities perform infrared inspections on an annual basis. While this approach may detect...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 14, 2019 | Maintenance Management, Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files
As I drove my car to the dealership for service, I saw my role very clearly: I was only a data taker or data observer and simply responding to a dashboard display that read ”Service Engine Soon.” My job was done quickly. I signed for a loaner car and drove home. THE...
