January 19, 2005
Learn to understand and apply vibration analysis from your desk
Vibration Analysis Distance Learning
Introduction to Vibration Analysis Course Number VS101
Next Course begins February 1, 2005!
By enrolling in this class, you will receive the following materials:
• The V-Trainer Library CD (the main class text). This CD contains over 300 pages of instruction written in simple, down-to-earth terms to make this complex subject understandable.
• The book Vibration Spectrum Analysis by Steve Goldman. This book provides a more technical text and is used mainly as a supplement to the CD.
• Online Course Resource and Research Area
• Condition Monitoring Discussion Forum
• Access to a live instructor via email or pre-scheduled group teleconference sessions.
Total course time to complete by devoting 2-3 hours per week: 8 weeks - 12 weeks
To learn more or to register please call 239-985-0317 or…
January 19, 2005
Motor Testing Tip
In-rush/Start-up Analysis
When performing a start-up test using current analysis technology it is important to separate the mechanical and Electrical influence on the current signal. If an electrical problem such as a stator fault exists, it will have an influence on the instantaneous in-rush current.
Mechanical problems such as a locked rotor or load related anomaly will have no effect on the instantaneous in-rush current but may extend the start-up time. The instantaneous in-rush current is expected to be 5-7 times the full load amperage and on many designs can be 10 times FLA. The in-rush current should be identical to previous tests minus minor changes due to winding temperature.
Tip provided by PdMA
http://www.pdma.com
Toll Free: 1-800-476-6463
Tel: 813-621-6463
January 19, 2005
Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) Tip
Failure #7: Insufficient testing of software
This failure is related to the previous one. Just as you check out vendors and their services, you should check out the software for the desired functionality. All too often, companies have purchased software based on what they saw during a demonstration. Then, once they have the software, they find it doesn’t do everything exactly as they thought it should.
The best method to use in avoiding this failure is the testing of the software for a period of time, typically called a pilot. Usually a week or two is sufficient. However, to be fair to vendors, it is best to have their trainers on site during testing. This precaution ensures you are using software packages correctly and not overlooking any of their capabilities. Also, expect to pay for a trainer’s time while he or she is on site.
During tests, be sure the right people test the software. It does not do much good for managers to test software if they are not going to use it every day. It is best to use the planners, supervisors, stores clerks, etc. these end users quickly will let you know how the software works amid whether or lot it helps them to do their jobs.
This issue becomes even more important, when you are purchasing customized software. The failure to check the customized package against the specified requirements has led to many problems for both the users and the vendors.
Tip provided by GenesisSolutions
Tel: (203) 431-0281
http://www.GenesisSolutions.com
iPresentation Invitation: Successfully Selecting, Implementing and Utilizing CMMS/EAM Systems
January 19, 2005
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Find out how much you will save on your next high performance thermal imager! Enter your guess online and Electrophysics will automatically enter you into a drawing for an iPAQ PDA (a $700 value).
January 19, 2005
Vibration Tip
Sometimes when analyzing a spectrum, it is difficult to differentiate between unbalance, looseness and misalignment. Their signatures all have a 1 times RPM peak and multiples of running speed peaks, excluding pure unbalance. One way to quickly decipher what is causing excessive vibration is to look at the time waveform. For instance, unbalance will display a sinusoidal pattern, whereas looseness will show random impacting.
Tip provided by LUDECA, INC.
Distributor of the new VIBXPERT data collector/vibration analyzer http://www.ludeca.com/vibxpert.htm
Tel: 305-591-8935
iPresentation Invitation: The process of spectrum acquisition (7 minutes)
January 19, 2005
Airborne Ultrasonic Tip
Compressed Air Leaks – Start your leak inspection program by finding the big leaks first. While performing an ultrasonic leak survey in a complex system of piping smaller leaks can be masked by larger ones. Find, tag, and fix the gross leaks first. Once the gross leaks are fixed the system pressure will rise, especially in the area where the leaks were. Now return to that zone and re-scan. First confirm that the tagged leaks were indeed repaired properly. Satisfied by that, remove any leak tags from previous surveys and continue to scan the area for more leaks. Because system pressure has increased, the smaller, more difficult to find leaks will produce more ultrasonic turbulence making them easier to find. With the competing ultrasound from the repaired gross leaks are gone, a final inspection is now possible.
Tip provided by SDT North America
Toll free: 1-800-667-5325
Tel: 905-349-2020
January 12, 2005
Lubrication Tip
Prefill piston pumps and motors to prevent “infant mortality”.
When installing a piston pump or motor, always fill the case of the unit with clean hydraulic fluid prior to start-up. Failure to do so almost guarantees dry-start failure. If the unit is mounted in a vertical position and the case drain line is flexible, use this technique to fill the case:
1) Position the pump or motor horizontally (case drain port up) within reach of the case drain line.
2) Fill the unit with clean hydraulic fluid through the case drain port.
3) Connect the case drain line.
4) Mount the unit in position.
Tip provided by Brendan Casey
January 12, 2005
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Tip
RCA RESULTS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE SUPPORT THE EFFORT RECEIVES: No matter the “brand” of RCA that you use, it is doomed without proper management support. Sure a pocket of excellence here and there may exist, but from the learning perspective for the organization, the RCA effort will not expand and strive. Most management’s feel that there commitment to RCA is done when they provide a few dollars for RCA training or software. From this point they feel that when the student leaves the training, they will be instant RCA experts who can now analyze “world hunger” type problems with absolute accuracy and in an hour. For those of us who have attended various RCA training’s, we know better. Managements must realize that in order for an RCA effort to succeed, they must:
A. Write the “fat” check to demonstrate support
B. Educate themselves in what their people are learning and approve the concepts they will implement
C. Designate a “Champion” of the effort
D. Outline their expectations with milestones stated
E. Institutionalize RCA by issuing an RCA policy and/or procedure (this will survive when the fast-track manager leaves and ensures the effort does not die with his absence)
These are a few of the “core” management responsibilities required to ensure that RCA is not only successful in the short-term, but is embedded in the culture in the long-term.
Tip provided by Robert Latino
The Reliability Center
http://www.reliability.com
Tel: (804) 458-0645
January 12, 2005
Reliability & Cost Analysis Seminar
The Reliability & Cost Analysis Seminar in Houston March 14-18 will feature three courses: Weibull Analysis, led by Wes Fulton and Dr. Robert Abernethy, Analysis of Accelerated Test Data, led by Dr. Wayne Nelson, and Life-Cycle Costing, led by Paul Barringer.
Please call Clarion at (713) 521-5929 or…
January 12, 2005
CMMS Tip
In managing your workflow use your CMMS’ Work Request function as a review step prior to turning the request into a Work Order. This keeps duplicates and preplanned (as in, it will be taken care of in the upcoming shutdown) corrective maintenance from becoming part of the system. As these Work Requests are reviewed and approved they become Work Orders and move into the unscheduled planning phase until becoming part of the planned and scheduled backlog. Unapproved Work Requests should remain in the system for no longer than 2 weeks with a comment explaining why they were not approved. Then when the requestor inquires as to the status of their request and provide the Work Request number the information is readily available.
An excellent way to keep track of the Work Requests, the status of Work Orders and manage workflow is to use the scheduling function of your CMMS.
Reader Tip provided by Mike LeCompte
Maintenance Systems Development, LLC
Tel: 843-576-1433
http://www.maintsysdev.com
