by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Dec 20, 2020 | Maintenance Management, Newsletter Column
Reliable equipment depends on an alignment of the right things: The right application, operating conditions, duty cycle, operation, maintenance, replacement parts, input/output, performance data, and people following detailed work instructions. This column begins a...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Dec 13, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
There are plenty of unhappy people in this world, and not because of the pandemic. In fact, this short column is not at all related to the horrific COVID-19 environment in which so many of us are now living. I simply want to provide some perspective on special...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Dec 6, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations
Industrial workplaces, for the most part, are reasonably well-lit areas with lighting that allows unhindered movement throughout open plant-floor spaces. In closed-room environments, fixed ceiling lighting originally specified and installed by the building contractor...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Nov 29, 2020 | Maintenance Management, Newsletter Column, Workforce Issues
Let’s recap: As noted in Part I and II of this series of discussions (see links below), the concept of engaging operators in the maintenance of their machines has met with mixed reviews since it rolled out as part of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in the...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Nov 22, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column, Workforce Issues
This is the second in a series of discussions regarding tasks associated with operator-performed maintenance. As explained in Part I (Nov. 16, 2020), the use of operators for such tasks has met with mixed reviews ever since the concept rolled out as part of...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Nov 15, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column, Workforce Issues
Engaging operators in the maintenance of their machines has been met with mixed reviews since its deployment as part of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) in the 1980s. Proponents believe in it. Opponents don’t want operators touching their machines more than...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Nov 8, 2020 | Newsletter Column, RAM's Human Factor, Workforce Issues
In North America, the primary written language used in maintenance and asset management is English. Unfortunately, the English language tolerates the use of many imprecise words that can cast doubt on their intended meaning and lead to poor interpretation and results....
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 Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Oct 25, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Workforce Issues
The National STEM Consortium (nationalstem.org) reports that there are now over 2.6 million hybrid and electric vehicles on the road in the United States. According to a World Bank study, by the end of 2020, the world-wide electric-vehicle value chain will likely be...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Oct 19, 2020 | Asset Management, Newsletter Column
Data, metrics, measures, assessments, evaluations, scorecards, progress reports, etc. Many of us have been faced with a host of measurement opportunities. However, some performance measurements seem like moving targets that we seldom hit. With so many business,...
