The Ram Review - Reliability, Availability, Maintenance

Maintenance Efficiency, Effectiveness, Prevention

by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | May 29, 2020 | Asset Management, Plant Operations

Much like humans, a site’s physical assets can slow down, vibrate, leak, and groan as they grow older. Furthermore, as with humans, it takes a team of caregivers to keep these assets performing as planned throughout their life cycles.

Create Your Most Efficient Maintenance Strategy with RCM

by T.A. Cook, Part of Accenture | May 29, 2020 | SPONSORED INFORMATION

Asset-intensive industries need dynamic maintenance strategies that provide measurable, qualitative results to justify the expense. There are a number of reasons why reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) fits the bill.

Regarding Reliability of Large Electric Motors: Site and Study Findings Compared

by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | May 29, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives

Findings from certain EPRI and IEEE motor studies have been go-to info in plants and facilities for decades. A more recent 5-year study of a site’s 46 large motors offers added insight.

Cloud-Connecting, Pocket-Portable Thermal Camera

by Jane Alexander, Managing Editor | May 24, 2020 | Solution of the Week, Solution Showcase

FLIR’s new C5 instantly uploads images to the cloud for users in the building-maintenance, manufacturing, and utilities arenas.

Create A Land Buffer Around Your Facility

by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, T.A. Cook/Accenture, Editor | May 24, 2020 | Newsletter Column, The Sustainable Plant

Harmony among neighbors is always important, but especially so when industrial operations and surrounding communities are concerned. Measures taken to ensure that harmony can also help ensure a plant’s sustainability.

‘A Stitch in Time Saves Nine’

by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | May 23, 2020 | RAM Tools & Methods, The Bloch Files

While some may consider it quaint, the old adage that countless grandmothers drilled into their families’ heads is timeless and applicable in many situations. Avoiding problems in today’s plants and facilities is a good example.

When to Change Your Equipment’s Oil

by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | May 22, 2020 | Asset Management, Lubrication Corner

OEM recommendations don’t always jibe with how equipment actually is operated at a site. The only way to set oil-change schedules is to test and trend these lubricants regularly to determine when and how they degrade.

Integrating Capital Projects into Turnarounds

by T.A. Cook, Part of Accenture | May 22, 2020 | SPONSORED INFORMATION

Is your site planning for a scheduled plant turnaround? This might be an appropriate time to brush up on a number of pesky capital-project issues that could keep the event from running smoothly, efficiently, and within budget.

Getting Back to Business in COVID-19 Times

by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | May 22, 2020 | Plant Operations, Safety Matters

As the world waits for effective medical interventions to deal with the current coronavirus scourge, pandemic-related strategies that organizations implement to help ensure healthy workplaces will be paying big dividends.