by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Oct 4, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
Failure analysis of fluid machinery often focuses on the part that failed. If the bearing failed, it must be because “the bearing is bad.” Mechanics and machinists then often react by doing the obvious: Replace the bearing. However, if we replace parts without first...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Sep 27, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Workforce Issues
As I’ve said and written for decades, “Maintenance is the least defined of all industrial activities.” There is no common set of standards that defines maintenance standards, practices, methods, or job descriptions. Yet, there are some industry-specific standards and...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Sep 20, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column, Plant Operations
Those who have attended one of my workshops on various aspects of reliability engineering and management, or have seen me present at conferences, may have heard me say, “Data is the difference between deciding and guessing.” It’s a slogan I’ve used for at...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Sep 14, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Training & Qualification
The path to maintenance knowledge has traditionally included a mix of college and “hands-on” learning through either an apprenticeship or university program. The quality and effectiveness of the education depended greatly on the student’s level of engagement and...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Sep 6, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column
Those of us working in the world of manufacturing and facilities management are frequently called upon to find ways of improving maintenance. But maintenance-improvement practices come in many different forms. What are maintenance best practices? What’s under the...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | Aug 30, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Sustainable Plant
The Golden Rule: “He or she who has the gold makes the rules.” Increasingly, the Golden Rule is requiring sustainability. Large financial-management firms such as BlackRock, the Vanguard Group, Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab, etc., control how a massive amount...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Aug 23, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column
We live in an overly complex world with complex tools and programs to keep equipment and technology up and running. When we find ourselves up to our belt loops in perplexing reliability issues, we have an opportunity (make that ‘an obligation’) to learn...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 17, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
This opinion just happens to focus on one of my favorite topics: lubrication issues. The points I bring up emphasize the importance of learning through disciplined reading and researching, not simply guessing. That type of disciplined approach certainly applies to...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Aug 9, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Training & Qualification
“I showed them how to do it over and over again, but they just can’t seem to get it right.” Sound familiar? For decades I’ve helped industry focus on training results (a.k.a. learning) rather than focusing on training. Confused? Let’s briefly walk through what can...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 2, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
This column is a brief follow-up to my recent article, “Revisit Your Bidders’ Lists, Sooner Than Later” (July 25, 2020). While focusing specifically on pumping systems, some of the suggested strategies (and stated opinions) discussed here could have...
