October 19, 2006
Unforgettable Vibration Training
Mobius iLearn offers in person vibration analysis training in several countries as well as award winning computer based vibration and alignment training.
Learn for yourself why people who have be trained through Mobius iLearn find that they use the knowledge gained for years to come.
Please call Mobius iLearn at (206) 842-8721 or…
October 19, 2006
Planning and Scheduling Maintenance Tips
Granularity of Planning must be Appropriate
In order to use the strength of automatic functions to optimize scheduling and resource utilization, the planning of work orders needs to be proper. Planning too high is as bad as planning too granular.
Planning too high can be using work orders as “cost buckets” where work is performed by different functions and combined in one operation. This approach prevents the optimization of start times for individual work tasks and the overall improvement of team utilization. On the other hand, too much granularity can add so much administrative overhead that the benefit of planning and scheduling is negated.
Work orders should be broken down into substantial operations that identify the individual steps executed by various functions to complete the job.
Tip provided by Martin Stenzig, Vesta Partners, LLC
October 19, 2006
Why use Mikron ViewPorts for thermal inspection of electrical switchgear?
It’s simple:
1. With no crystalline window, they are virtually maintenance-free.
2. You can forget the heavy, hot PPE suit—with cabinet doors closed, NFPA 70E safety compliance has never been simpler.
3. With nothing between the lens and the target, Mikron ViewPorts allow more accurate thermal readings.
4. At around $50.00 each, the ViewPorts are the best way to stretch your thermal inspection budget.
5. Installation / inspection with ViewPorts is simple and fast.
For more information on the safest choice for thermal inspection of electrical cabinets, call 1-888-506-3900 or…
October 19, 2006
Tip for Inspecting bolt/nut tightness
First: Install a nut to proper tightness.
Second: Scribe a line through the nut to the equipment frame around the nut
On PM inspections just verify that the scribed line is unbroken.
Tip provided by Joel Levitt, Author, 20 Steps to World Class Maintenance
October 19, 2006
Ultrasound Tip
How much noise in your plant is from compressed air leaks?
Before starting your next compressed air leak audit have your safety director or someone else take a reading of how much noise you have in the area to be audited. After you have located and fixed these leaks retake the readings in those same areas and compare.
A well-known compressed air auditor told me one time that this was one of his secrets. I told him telling me must mean that it is no longer a secret.
Tip provided by Jim Hall
Ultra-Sound Technologies
October 19, 2006
Safety Tip
Oftentimes we assume that Bad Outcomes = Bad Processes.
The reality of the situation is that when undesirable outcomes occur, they are rarely caused by some bizarre behavior. In actuality, we often find that such behaviors were common practice used in the past which led to successful and safe results. However, under these circumstances there is usually an unusual condition that existed that did not exist under normal, common practices.
Tip provided by Bob Latino
Reliability Center Inc.
October 12, 2006
Human Error Tip
Work stress is:
a. The leading cause for medication errors in the US (49%)
b. A significant contributor to aircraft crashes (65%)
c. A cause involving 23% of significant nuclear power plant events
Tip provided by Bob Latino
Reliability Center Inc.
http://www.reliability.com
October 12, 2006
Register Today a Free Infrared Thermal Imaging Web Workshop
Date: Friday October 20, 2006
When: 11am - 12 noon EST (GMT - 5)
Cost: $0 - FREE
Part 1 - 6 Steps to an Effective Infrared Testing Program by James Taylor
and
Part 2 Introduction to Infrared by Greg Stockton
Each workshop will feature two presentations - one covering management aspects and one covering technical aspects. Each presentation will be followed by a Q & A session, and you can choose to continue the discussion with other participants via the web for days, weeks or months. Our goal is to create a community of shared knowledge that will lead maintenance & reliability professionals to a better understanding of reliability principles.
Space is limited so please use this link to enroll in this FREE workshop today!
October 12, 2006
SAP EAM Tip
Getting the most out of your SAP-EAM investment
Do you wonder whether you are getting the most value out of your maintenance budget only to find that you simply lack sufficient maintenance history documentation? The purpose of an EAM system like SAP is to help provide this critical business information so that decision-makers know where their greatest areas of opportunity exist for improvement.
In order to compile this information you must make sure that there is a standard method for capturing this information. If we were Accountants we would use standards like GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to collect and compile critical business information. SAP-EAM offers this type of capability by providing the necessary tools for effective collection of maintenance and reliability accounting.
Let me provide some of the basic data elements that SAP-EAM provides for the collection of this critical maintenance and reliability data. To start, every corrective maintenance activity (repairs or replacements) should check the Breakdown box on the SAP notification. This will allow Reliability Analysts to identify that a “reliability” event has taken place. It will also enable the Breakdown Duration to calculate the difference between the Malfunction Start Date and Malfunction End Date. This can assist with MTBF, availability and a host of other asset related metrics.
SAP-EAM also provides a robust method for delineating which “items” were addressed during the corrective maintenance event. Within each notification item the user can delineate the following:
- Object Part – This is the component or maintainable item addressed during the maintenance event. (e.g. Mechanical Seal)
- Damage – This represents the physical condition of the Object Part during the maintenance event. (e.g. Leaking)
- Activity – This represents the action taken during the maintenance event. (e.g. replaced, repaired, etc.)
- Cause – This is the preliminary cause of the event. The cause is not always obvious and this field value should not be mistaken for the root cause. (e.g. Improper Operation)
SAP-EAM also allows for a robust set of event codes to be used to help the end user document maintenance events. It also allows for the creation of multiple items if more than one component or maintainable item were addressed during the maintenance event.
SAP-EAM, configured and used properly, with a robust set of event codes can be an excellent tool for documenting and improving the overall effectiveness of your capital assets.
Tip provided by Ken Latino
Practical Reliability Group (PRG) http://www.practicalreliabilitygroup.com
Note: SAP and SAP EAM are trademarks of SAP AG.
October 12, 2006
FlowGuard filter cart makes fluid handling a simple task
Des-Case’s FlowGuard™ filter cart makes fluid handling a simple task, requiring less equipment and labor while reducing system contamination.
Our filtration products, with the use of our quick connect adaptors, make your job safer, easier, and cleaner. By prohibiting entry of dirt and moisture, your equipment and lubricants can run longer and harder. To learn more please call 615.672.8800 or email us at
