by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 26, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
We’re using this space to wrap up our short series on the importance of machinery-quality assessments (MQAs) that began on Sept. 4, 2020 (see list of previous articles below). The overall message: MQAs can be an important tool for those seeking to zero in on...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 17, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
This technical note on seal-flush plans is part of my series on machinery-quality assessments (MQAs) for The RAM Review. It’s a follow-up to the most recent article in that series, “An MQA Approach to Seals and Flush Plans” (Sept. 12, 2020)....
by Tim Dunton, CMRP, CMRT | Sep 16, 2020 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
In a recent article (Aug. 28, 2020), we focused on the importance of correcting soft foot on the machines in our plants and facilities. Here, we focus on the proper ways to check for and eliminate it. As we discussed previously, soft foot is the condition that exists...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 12, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
This article is based on a real-world situation related to to my recent article (Sept. 4, 2020) on the value of machinery-quality assessments (MQAs) in selecting best-available technologies for plant applications. Here, I discuss how a former manager’s feedback...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Sep 4, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
A reliability professional’s workday is almost entirely proactive. Such individuals are quasi “Fire Preventers;” they are not “Fire Fighters.” They use much of their available time to obtain answers to three questions: 1. Is an upgrade possible or do we...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Sep 4, 2020 | Planning & Scheduling, RAM Tools & Methods
W. Edwards Deming once stated, “In God we trust, all others must bring data!” For some, data is a four-letter word, and the value of collecting and recording it and the evidence associated with an asset failure event is often poorly understood. Old-school thinking...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Aug 29, 2020 | Planning & Scheduling, RAM Tools & Methods
Developing objective and effective work instruction is a science. The quality of work performed by a maintainer when following a planner’s instruction will vary greatly depending on the objective requirement set within each line of instruction. If direction is vague,...
by Tim Dunton, CMRP, CMRT | Aug 28, 2020 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
Cursory soft-foot checks are often performed as means of “checking the box” at the start of an alignment process. If, however, we are to eradicate soft foot from the industrial landscape, these checks need to become an integral part of the alignment process and be...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Aug 21, 2020 | Planning & Scheduling, RAM Tools & Methods
A maintenance work order (MWO) is basically made up of three distinct sections. The first section, which was covered in The RAM Review article “Make Work Orders Work (Aug. 17, 2020), contains the general information required to raise a work order and make it an...
by Tim Dunton, CMRP, CMRT | Aug 20, 2020 | Asset Management, RAM Tools & Methods
In last week’s article for The RAM Review (August 14, 2020), we discussed some of the tools needed to implement precision maintenance. This week we focus on what is, perhaps, one of the most important tools. Documenting results and what was done on a job is crucial in...
