

Tips On Using Oil Rings In Pump Bearing Housings
Oil rings are rarely, if ever, the most dependable means of pump lubrication. But if they are used in a plant, there are some important dos and don’ts (and reasons why) to keep in mind.

Part 1: What’s Behind MCSA And ESA Anyways?
This article goes way beyond the basics. In the author’s words, it gets into the programming nitty-gritty of any analysis technologies that convert data to spectra for evaluation.

Having The Wisdom To Recognize Opportunity
As the great Willie Nelson put it, “Wisdom is in the moments when the madness slips away and we remember the basics.” That’s true for many things, including maintenance operations.

EAM/ERP Upgrade Or Just A ‘Lift & Shift’ (Part 2): The Tactics
EAM and ERP upgrades are opportunities to strip down to a clean core and ensure that the system supports achievement of the organization’s “North Star” goals. This article provides step-by-step instructions.

Ask Manufacturers To Upgrade Component Life
Some vendors still think end-users are mainly interested in purchasing from the lowest bidder. So, they may not have invested in manufacturing technologies/ methods that could extend your machinery’s life.

What Is Machine Learning? Really?
To be clear, any system that modifies data resulting in changes from input is, by modern definition, Machine Learning. Any system that acts on such information through software is Artificial Intelligence.

The Way It Used To Be. . . And Still Is
A working vacation in Michigan introduced the author to a thriving family-owned manufacturing operation. Here, he writes about the company and what he sees as its recipe for success in the global marketplace.

Lessons From The Trenches: Mixed Machines
Havoc wreaked by the pandemic on our supply chain has created many challenges for sites. In the process, it’s put a spotlight on issues of randomness and non-standardization in plants and facilities.

Part 2: Electrical Grid Reliability, Resilience, And Why It Really Matters
U.S. Dept. of Energy research projects are addressing reliability and resilience of the national grid as we grow it. This journey isn’t easy. And major changes in how we think about the grid are on the horizon.

Storage Protection By Nitrogen Versus Oil Mist
Implementation of safe, reliable machinery-preservation strategies is a no-brainer. This article focuses on steam turbines, but the protective approaches it lays out are applicable to other stored equipment.