January 05, 2006 Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Tip
IS RCA INDUSTRY SPECIFIC?
Many people believe that their choice of RCA methods will vary depending on the industry they are in. These people do not realize that true RCA has nothing to do with the environment, but its common denominator is the human being. The nature of the event is irrelevant. What is important is the logical, deductive discipline of the human thought process. The same thought process will be used whether a person is investigating an explosion of a crude unit in a refinery or an unexpected death in a hospital.
Tip provided by the Reliability Center Inc.
http://www.reliability.com
Tel: 804-458-0645
January 05, 2006 Lubrication and Hydraulic Tip
Starting an oil analysis program?
Even before you analyze your oil you can start to improve your situation. I once experienced a hydraulic system that was cleaned out and two months later the reservoir was half full of contamination. A vendor was only too happy to try and sell us a filtration system to resolve the problem, but we needed to do much better before we tried additional filtration. The root cause of the problem was a lack of training and a domino effect. The system had leaks with an open breather in an area of high contamination. Because of the leaks the covers were left loose and sometimes open to add fluid and additions were made from a hand pump from an open barrel and open pails, barrels and pails left in the same contaminated area. The contamination caused hydraulic problems that interrupted the manufacturing process resulting in blow backs of raw material (wood chips and saw dust) contaminating the area. After a blow back the area was cleaned up with compressed air dislodging covers and adding more contamination.
Reminds me of a commercial, “Midas shows you how not to install a muffler.”
Basic tips:
• Store fluids in sealed containers away from moisture
• Container vents should be filtered
• Clean the area before you open a system
• Keep the equipment clean - Refrain from using compressed air which can induce contamination and damage seals
• Seal all of the system leaks so less fluid needs to be added
• Install raised surfaces where covers fasten
• Install all covers - With gaskets
• Seal all points of ingression - Except for the breather
• Install a desiccant type breather - Especially in temperature / humidity differential applications
• Add filtered fluid only to maintain the proper level
• Fluid should be added below the tank level so air is not entrained
For other ideas on how to start a program contact:
Clifford Spear
January 05, 2006 Alignment Tip
TIGHTEN THOSE BRACKETS!
When using a laser shaft alignment system, always double-check that all brackets and components mounted on the shafts are sufficiently tightened to prevent vibration or just plain gravity from unduly moving them as you rotate the shafts. Also, ensure they are clear of hitting any external obstructions as the shafts are rotated. Also make certain the support posts inserted in the brackets are not only adequately tightened but are burr free. Otherwise, you may be clamping down on a burr rather than the support post itself, and still have mechanical looseness. Any of these factors can affect the measurement accuracy. Performing repeatability checks between alignment readings and corrections is essential in revealing any of these potential pitfalls.
Tip provided by LUDECA, INC.
ALIGNMENT * VIBRATION * BALANCING
http://www.ludeca.com
Tel: 305-591-8935
January 05, 2006 Effective CMMS/EAM For Asset Management at your plant
Please join Reliabilityweb.com and Maintenance-Tips for EAM-2006 the Enterprise Asset Management Summit, March 8-10, 2006 in exciting Las Vegas Nevada.
This year, EAM-2006 is co-located with RCM-2006 - The Reliability Centered Maintenance Managers’ Forum providing twice the value and learning opportunities.
EAM-2006 is the only event dedicated to Enterprise Asset Management and Computerized Maintenance Information Management including Maintenance Inventory, Maintenance Planning & Scheduling and Maintenance Work Management.
You will take away new solutions for maintenance information management that you can put to immediate use as peers and industry experts share knowledge and experience in a non-commercial environment.
January 05, 2006 Happy New Year from Maintenance-Tips
We want to take this opportunity to thank all the Maintenance-Tips subscribers who support our work.
We have more new tips ready to make 2006 the best year ever!
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Please click the CONFIRM link now. It is that simple.
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Remember - we are running the Maintenance-Tip Challenge through January 12 - with 4 EAM-2006 and RCM-2006 Conference Pass winners! Details are available at the link below.
January 05, 2006 Oil Analysis Tip
In systems prone to water contamination, it is imperative that the contaminated oil be able to shed water, or demulsify, in order to maintain lubricity, viscosity and prevent the formation of acids.
Contrary to the cliché that “Oil and water don’t mix,” most oils, at some level of water contamination, will mix, or emulsify. The Water Separability Characteristics Test, ASTM D1401, is a guide for determining the demulsibility of both new and used oils. 40mL of the test oil and 40mL of distilled water are placed in a heated bath and agitated. The test concludes when the water and oil separate into their respective phases.
If the emulsion is still present after 30 minutes, the test is concluded and the volumes of oil, water, and emulsion are reported. If, after 30 minutes, more than 3mL of emulsion is present, the oil is considered to have failed the test. It would be recommended that the oil be changed and the root cause of the oil’s failure to pass determined as an emulsified oil will lead to lubrication starvation, sludge formation, corrosive wear and, eventually, failure.
Click here to learn more about oil contamination and testing
