by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | May 16, 2020 | Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
A retired reliability professional and I have received a contract for a book with the tentative title “New Approaches to Compressor Technology.” Our mandate is to alert readers to notable cost-effectiveness and reliability-improvement trends that have...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | May 2, 2020 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
A machine manufacturer rediscovered the old axiom regarding extrapolations after experiencing many bearing failures in its 40-hp air blowers. The design incorporated life-time lubricated (sealed) blower bearings in rotors that spun 20-mm shafts at 22,000 rpm, and the...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 17, 2020 | Plant Operations, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
Whenever we see the acronym “RAM” used here, most of us know that “R” stands for “Reliability” and “M” stands for “Maintenance.” But, while the letter “A” in the acronym formally stands for “Availability,” to some of us, it also serves as a reminder that reliable...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 12, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
Forgive me if you’ve heard this story before. I’ve often shared it. But, it’s a simple example of the need for those in the RAM arena to plan ahead and be prepared for a variety of contingencies. After all, an opportunity may only knock once, and not answering could...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Apr 4, 2020 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
Managers have cause to ask for cost justifications or projections before they sign off on proposed equipment upgrades (see my Mar. 27, 2020, article). These projections are preferably on the safe side. They should not promise unrealistic returns on the investment....
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 27, 2020 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files
In the mid-1980a, one of my informal mentors held a mid-level management position at a refinery just North of Galveston, TX. He was a highly respected, educated man of few words. His advice was always factual, pure common sense. One of his core beliefs was simply...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 22, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
The title of this column is a serious, common-sense recommendation, and for good reason. Sadly, we have migrated to an environment with a “fog index” that is greater than ever before. So, while my recommendation isn’t intended as a commentary on managers who might...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 15, 2020 | Newsletter Column, Plant Operations, The Bloch Files
Roughly 25 years ago, a respected colleague, Fred Caspari, had just retired from his reliability-management position with LUSC (Large U.S. Company). Two other colleagues and I heard him speak on “Abandoning the World-Class Maintenance Approach at a Major Multinational...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 7, 2020 | The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
There are many ways to make one’s job recession-proof. Being a better-than-average worker is an obvious advantage, assuming your facility’s owners tend to give pink slips to employees in the lower 50% of capability, likeability, productivity, and the usual criteria....
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Mar 2, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Bloch Files, Workforce Issues
It has now been roughly 20 years and four months since I met with the reliability team of a Well-Known Petrochemical Company—let’s call it “WKPC”—to discuss ways to improve the organization’s reliability performance. During about four hours of discussion, we...
