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 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 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 Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 28, 2020 | Tech Reviews, The Bloch Files
This article is a follow-up to my recent review of compressor-valve and steam-gland technologies (August 20, 2020). As discussed in that piece, those particular products may not have been brand new, but I considered them worthy of a closer look. To repeat, reliability...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 20, 2020 | Tech Reviews, The Bloch Files
This short piece is taking a somewhat different direction than my typical columns and articles for The RAM Review. This week, I’m providing some information on two innovative technologies that could be of interest to reliability-focused engineers in...
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 Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Aug 9, 2020 | The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
People have always had anxieties. But if you thought, by some coincidence, that I was going to use this space to simply express my opinion about the primary anxiety people have been dealing with over the past few months, you would be wrong. While the pandemic may have...
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...
