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March 26, 2008

Weibull Analysis Workshop by Dr. Bob Abernethy

At MARCON-2008
May 6-8
Knoxville TN

The one-day Weibull Workshop is based on “The New Weibull Handbook Student Version” which will be provided to attendees including the SuperSMITH Student Version Software. The text is largely extracted from “The New Weibull Handbook” covering the basic material for reliability and statistical analysis of life data. The objective it to provide an understanding of basic Weibull analysis including hands-on work with computer case studies.


Find out more about MARCON-2008

March 26, 2008

Join us for a Web Workshop on April 4

Workshop #3: Beating the Odds in Reliability & Maintenance – Becoming a Procedures Based Organization by Jack Nicholas

In this 3rd of 11 web workshops Jack Nicholas Jr. discusses the elements for a sustainable reliability based maintenance program such as:

* Written procedures
* Checklists
* Training on leading practices
* Policies that encourage willing compliance
* Process analysis and continuous improvement

There are several polls conducted throughout the Web Workshop that provide a real time snap shot of attendees practices. Results will be discussed to highlight workshop lessons.

The presented material will last 50-55 minutes minutes with extra time set aside for questions and answers.


Reserve your Web Workshop seat now

March 26, 2008

Vibration Analysis Systems & Complete Solutions Catalog

IOtech has just released a Vibration Analysis Systems & Complete Solutions catalog.

Included in this 28-page catalog is a compilation of actual customer product applications using IOtech’s eZ-Series software and vibration analysis hardware.


Request the Vibration Analysis Systems & Complete Solutions Catalog now

March 26, 2008

New Equipment Installation Checklist

From a recent posting at MaintenanceForums.com

In our plant, we are continually upgrading and changing our machinery and processes to meet demands.

Our lines have project managers/engineers as the Line Supervisors. For reliability, we are still in the infancy stage for our current equipment. While I am trying to manage the reliability of our older equipment, the Line Supervisors are constantly changing things. So, in an effort to manage the reliability of our new equipment coming in, I came up with a checklist for our Supervisors to use. I would appreciate any comments, adds, or feedback:

This checklist should be used prior to the installation of any new or substitute equipment.

1. Will the failure of this application impact production time, if it is down for less than one day? If yes continue to step 2, if no, continue to step 5.

2. Is this a single point failure design? If the answer is yes, work with reliability engineer to determine requirements for redundancy.

3. How will the condition of the application be monitored? Inform the Reliability Engineer that there is new equipment in need of condition monitoring.

4. What spare parts need to be stocked?

5. What consumables need to be stocked?

6. Are all drive and conveyor belts within the plants standardization scheme?

7. Are all motors and gearboxes within the plants standardization scheme?

8. Have all surfaces, including welds, been treated/covered to prevent corrosion?

9. Is there a service manual for the equipment? If so, provide to Store Room for scanning into MP2.

10. What are the OEM maintenance recommendations?

11. What preventative maintenance needs to be performed and how often? Inform the Reliability Engineer that there is new equipment in need of PM.

12. Should this be done by an operator or by a maintenance person?

13. What safety concerns need to be abated or mitigated?

14. Are all controls labeled, to include power and lockout locations?

15. What training needs to be accomplished for operators? For Maintenance?

16. What Supervisor Plans (these are our operating instructions) need to be added or modified?

17. Will this equipment need to be added to MP2? If so, notify the Store Room.

18. What controls will be required? Contact Controls Engineer to request PLC integration. Provide electrical schematic and existing controls programming to Controls Engineer and Store Room.

Jack J


Read replies or post your own here

March 26, 2008

The Myth of Free Air

by Shannon Richards, LANS Company Inc.

The air we breathe may be free but the notion that this applies to the compressed air that drives processes and production tools is a myth that no plant can really afford. Although the costs of air compressors may appear minor when compared to pricey production equipment, air systems should be properly scrutinized; otherwise plants may face higher electrical costs, maintenance, premature failures and, worst of all, unplanned downtime. More…


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March 26, 2008

Ivara EXP Professional – The Next Generation in RCM Toolkits

Ivara EXP Professional reliability strategy development software offers you powerful functional features to drive disciplined failure mode analysis work across an entire equipment base.

Available exclusively through the Aladon Network, EXP Professional gives you a choice in reliability development strategies with Ivara RCM2 and Maintenance Task Analysis. Take the first step towards optimal asset performance with EXP Professional and build the foundation for your equipment reliability program.


Find our more about Ivara EXP Professional

March 26, 2008

Basic Elements of a Comprehensive Root Cause Analysis Program

An iPresentation tutorial by Mark Galley, ThinkReliability

Please join Root Cause Analysis expert Mark Galley for a 12 minute tutorial on the basic elements required for a comprehensive problem solving program using root cause analysis.

In this iPresentation Mr. Galley discusses 5 elements that every program should include:

• Methodology
• Measurements
• Defining Roles
• Facilitation
• Review Process


Start your iPresentation now

March 26, 2008

Motor Current Analysis (MCA) Test Results Can be Misleading

Motor Current Analysis (MCA) Test Results Can be Misleading if Drive Train Load Isn’t Considered by Jason Bolte, CMRP, Allied Reliability, Inc.

A constant issue when applying Condition Monitoring technologies is buy-in that the technology is capable of detection of failure modes in machinery. It is as critical to ensure that readings are interpreted properly to determine that a fault does not exist as much as that one does. Nothing sabotages buy-in more than the knowledge that repair activity has taken place that was unnecessary. One of the keys to effective data analysis is that we take consistent repeatable data. This is particularly of note when considering motor loading when performing Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) testing. More…


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March 19, 2008

Start Early & Stick With a Plan - Developing Marketable Engineering Skills

by Heinz P. Bloch, PE

For the foreseeable future, the “job of the future” will exist in a world that wrestles with issues of outsourcing, offshore design and manufacturing, and generally uncertain employment prospects. Among the job seekers, aspiring engineers need to develop effective ways of finding and keeping employment in this murky environment.

Guidance is helpful as you ponder the question of where you should be headed in this sea of instability. Today we live at a time when professed experts expound diametrically opposite views and often have the audacity of serving up their views with an air of infallibility. The answer as to where you should head is multi-faceted, but being balanced and learning a marketable skill instead of going after an ill-defined “education” is certainly a good start.


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March 19, 2008

Plant Engineering and Maintenance Solutions Under One Roof

Mark your calendar for the next PEM Show!
May 6-8, 2008
Knoxville, TN

Managing a plant or facility is serious business in today’s intense environment and you have no time to waste.

That is why we have put together 3 days of value packed solutions that support better plant operations and maintenance so you can meet mission critical goals and keep things running smooth as silk.

Collocated with the University of Tennessee’s MARCON-2008, the new and improved Plant Engineering and Maintenance Show will be time well spent and best of all - it’s absolutely FREE!


Find out more about PEM-2008