by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 3, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Most of us are familiar with adhesive-coated insulating tape used by electricians in field and shop. If we use this tape in the engine compartment of an automobile, it will become gummy and unravel. Although a common product will suffice in most applications,...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Jun 27, 2021 | Asset Management, Electrical Reliability
Building on my recent series of articles about Overall Inspection Effectiveness (OIE), Overall Lubrication Effectiveness (OLE), and Overall Vibration Effectiveness (OVE), I’m turning my attention to Overall Electrical Effectiveness (OELE) this week. Like those...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 25, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Unless pump-piping configurations and associated layout have been determined by thoughtful design, things often go wrong. Therefore, distinctions must be made between the implementation tasks assigned to pipe fitters and the reliability-focused engineering tasks...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Jun 20, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
My multi-installment focus on leading metrics that drive proactive asset-management behaviors on the plant floor continues here with a look at Overall Vibration Effectiveness (OVE). The discussion is particularly timely, following the June 13, 2021,...
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 Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 19, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
The title of this article says it all. Let’s explore the issue by using centrifugal fans and blowers as an example. (Keep in mind that a similar “upgrading” discussion applies when it comes to other types of packaged equipment in plants and...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Jun 13, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
This week, I continue my multi-installment focus on leading metrics that help drive proactive behaviors with a discussion of Overall Lubrication Effectiveness (OLE). It builds upon my May 29, 2021, article for The RAM Review (see link below) on Overall Inspection...
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 Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jun 4, 2021 | Asset Management, Tech Reviews, The Bloch Files
As industrial gas turbines began evolving from aircraft jet engines in the 1950s, the need for high-torque and/or higher-speed-capable flexible couplings became more evident. To keep pace, these shaft connectors were enhanced to achieve greater power...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | May 29, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
Here, and for the next six weeks in The RAM Review, I’ll be focusing on leading metrics that help drive proactive behaviors on the plant floor, increase MTBF/MTTF, decrease MTTR, and reduce the variability of those averages. Keep in mind, as I wrote in my May...
