by Randall Noon, P.E. | Apr 22, 2021 | Asset Management, Learning from Mistakes
Today’s root-cause methodologies often employ the following failure-investigation process. It’s straightforward and practical. And the failure-cause spreadsheet that results from the process will provide a convenient record-keeping document to use in...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 17, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
As with other industrial-business pursuits, a well-trained workforce is essential to safety and reliability performance. Process plants and utilities can reverse unfavorable trends in those areas by paying attention to training topics that limit exposure to...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Apr 11, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
Working with clients to design and implement improved maintenance models, I have found it important to interview those working in a site’s maintenance department to understand how they see themselves. It’s just as important, however, if not more so, to...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 3, 2021 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
It is not the purpose, nor within the scope of this article to give detailed field erection and installation specifications for the many rotating machines found in modern process industry. However, field erection and installation specifications are not left to chance...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Mar 29, 2021 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column
If asked where a maintenance-improvement program should focus its initial efforts within your organization, how would you respond? If you answer, “understand and improve our stakeholder and partner relationships,” you have truly grasped the holistic, or universal key...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Mar 28, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
The first article in this short series on precision parts (March 21, 2021) discussed the topic of designing for reliability (see link below). Here in Part II, the focus is on the rebuild process. Figure 1 illustrates the process flow I recommend for management...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Mar 27, 2021 | Asset Management, Safety Matters
The move toward digital transformation throughout industry is clearly important. Yet, except in the IT departments of many plants and facilities, there still seems to be enormous misunderstanding as to which physical assets and systems at sites should be considered...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Mar 21, 2021 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
Executing precision maintenance work requires a combination of skills, effective work instructions and methods, correct and properly calibrated tools, and, of course, the right parts that are in the right condition. Yet, when conducting failure investigations and...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Mar 21, 2021 | Asset Management, Lubrication Corner
When it comes to fleet and generator maintenance, nothing has a bigger impact on engine-life cycle than a simple oil and filter change. Yet, as straightforward as an oil change sounds, effectiveness is only assured by using the correct lubricant viscosity. If you own,...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 12, 2021 | Asset Management, The Bloch Files
Angular contact ball bearings are used in millions of pumps and many other fluid machines. The rolling elements in these bearings are separated by cages. The main function of those cages is to maintain equal distances from ball to ball and to do so with minimum...
