July 20, 2006 Shaft Alignment Tip
Dealing with Coupling Backlash in Shaft Alignment
In dealing with coupling backlash in shaft alignment, always turn one shaft first to engage the coupling before adjusting the laser beam on your laser alignment tool. This prevents the laser from shifting significantly away from the detector in the beginning of the measurement. Sometimes it is helpful to apply a slight amount of turning force on one shaft to keep the coupling engaged, in the case where both shafts can be easily turned.
Another way to handle backlash is to let gravity work in your favor when taking a measurement. Set up the laser alignment tool at the bottom of the shaft with the coupling backlash taken up. Rotate the shafts during measurement from the bottom to almost the top, but not past the top and then stop the measurement. This will help keep the coupling engaged during measurement.
Tip provided by LUDECA, INC.
ALIGNMENT * VIBRATION * BALANCING
http://www.ludeca.com
Tel: 305-591-8935
July 20, 2006 Maintenance Planning Tip
When identifying skill levels required to perform work, indentify the lowest level capable. The requires a solid communication link with Maintenance Group Supervisors.
Tip excerpted from Maintenance Planning and Scheduling : Streamline Your Organization for a Lean Environment Timothy C. Kister, Bruce Hawkins, published by Butterworth-Heinemann
July 20, 2006 PdM-2006 _ The Predictive Maintenance Technology Conference
PdM-2006
September 12-15, 2006
Chattanooga TN
Save $200 - Register before August 1
At PdM-2006 the Predictive Maintenance Technology Conference:
• 45 Case Studies and short courses by Southern Company, Boeing, TVA, Alcoa, Dofasco, Cargill, US Navy, US Air Force, Unicem and more
• Sit for the CMRP Exam by SMRP, CLS/OMA Exam by STLE or the Vibration Institute Certification Exam
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• Choose from 10 full day workshops
Pre-Conference Workshops (Choose one) Tuesday - September 12
• PdM Managers’ Workshop - by Jack Nicholas Jr., CMRP
• Introduction to Vibration Analysis by Dan Ambre
• Pump Reliability by Ross Mackay
• Online and Offline Motor Testing by Howard Penrose PhD, CMRP
• Practical Machinery Lubrication by Ray Thibault, CLS, OMA
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Post-Conference Workshops (Choose one) - September 15
• Basic Failure Analysis for Predictive Maintenance Professionals by Mark Latino
• The Motor Testing Game™ by Howard Penrose PhD, CMRP
• Introduction to Modal & ODS Analysis For the Plant Vibration Analyst by Dan Ambre
• The Ultrasound Game™ by Jim Hall
• The Oil Analysis Game™ by Ray Thibault, CLS, OMA and Paul Goldman MRT Laboratories
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• Chance to win an Alienware Laptop
• Arnold Engineering Development Center Plant Tour
• Over 40 Leading PdM Vendors
• Save $200 on early bird registration
Watch for more program and event details in this month’s Uptime Magazine or use the link below to request a PdM-2006 brochure.
Please make plans to attend PdM-2006 today and take advantage of early bird savings. Group discounts are also available by calling toll free (888) 575 1245.
July 20, 2006 Motor Testing Tip
Detection of Winding Contamination on End-Turns
Standard insulation to ground testing, such as insulation to ground tests, polarization index, etc. all evaluate only the area of the ground-wall insulation system between the conductors and ground within the stator slots. Winding contamination, especially from greasing, has a tendency to end up on the end turns of the winding, well out of the capability of ground-wall insulation tests. Instead, these types of insulation contamination require the MCA tests of impedance and inductance matching. In this case, the patterns of impedance and inductance are compared to each other, in an assembled motor, to see if they are similar. If at least one phase of impedance falls towards inductance, then the winding most likely has a contamination issue that needs to be addressed. If trending, this method can detect winding contamination six to twelve months prior to winding failure.
Tip provided by ALL-TEST Pro, LLC
http://www.alltestpro.com
Tel: 860.395.2988
July 20, 2006 Reliability Tip
Has the boss ever asked how long a piece of equipment is likely to run before it fails? Have you ever had to decide when is the most appropriate time to replace a heat exchanger bundle? Have you been asked to optimize PM frequencies?
These questions and a host of others can be answered utilizing simple and advance reliability analysis methods utilizing the data you are probably already collecting.
Utilizing simple tools like Pareto Analysis and more advance statistical tools like AMSAA Growth, Weibull Distributions and System Modeling, you can gain greater insight into the performance of you critical assets and systems.
Tip provided by Ken Latino
Practical Reliability Group
540-966-6269
http://www.practicalreliabilitygroup.com
July 20, 2006 LORD Balance Check
Are you looking for a cost-effective means to minimize downtime caused by vibration and optimize your equipment performance?
If so, consider the LORD Balance Check(TM) portable balancing instrument and vibration analyzer. Designed with an intuitive user interface, the LORD Balance
Check can be used to detect unbalance, identify the correction required to offset unbalance, and verify balance once it is restored. With its flexible instrument platform, the tool can be used in the field for balancing as well as machinery diagnostics and conformance to ISO standards, vibration analysis, and live signal recording. Such flexibility provides users with a single tool for effective maintenance,
inspection and diagnostic solutions for a broad range of services.
To find out more call 877-ASK-LORD
July 20, 2006 PdM/Lubrication Tip Challenge Runner Up
FAQ: “The bearings, on one of my critical machines, has developed some type of deposit. What is it and how do I get rid of it?”
A: Typically, after bearings operate for a period of time, they may develop deposits* of lubricant varnish**, lacquer***, and contamination from the environment.
Note: Unused bearings may also become contaminated due to broken packages or dirty storage areas. In some instances, flushing the bearing with clean lubricant while it is in operation provides some cleaning.
When the bearings are very contaminated with dirt and sludge, soak them in kerosene, mineral spirits or special commercial solvents.
Caution: Some solvents can be detrimental to nonmetallic cages, seals or other components. After cleaning with solvents, bearings are extremely vulnerable to corrosion or mechanical damage and should be protected or lubricated immediately. Handling with bare hands can corrode the bearing surfaces because of the acidic moisture on the hands. A clean, dry, un-lubricated bearing can be easily damaged by the movement between rolling bearings and raceways. Such bearings should never be spun or subjected to shock or vibration before a coating of lubricant or preservative has been applied.
* Deposits: oil-insoluble materials that result from oxidation and decomposition of lube oil and contamination from external sources and engine blow-by. These can settle out on machine or engine parts. Examples are sludge, varnish, lacquer and carbon.
** Varnish: when applied to lubrication, a thin, insoluble, non-wipeable film deposit occurring on interior parts, resulting from the oxidation and polymerization of fuels and lubricants. Can cause sticking and malfunction of close-clearance moving parts. Varnish is similar to, but softer, than lacquer***.
*** Lacquer: a deposit resulting from the oxidation and polymerization of fuels and lubricants when exposed to high temperatures. Lacquer is similar to, but harder, than varnish.
Maintenance Tip Challenge Runner Up goes to George Horn, O&M Coordinator, Chevron Real Estate Services, Richmond, CA
George wins a Free PdM-2006/LubricationWorld 4 Day Conference Pass
July 20, 2006 PdM/Lubrication Tip Challenge Grand Prize Winner
Lubrication Tip #1
If your Plant has large equipment with accessible openings inside the Gear Box or Reservoir I have found it very valuable to use Bar Magnets to place inside the unit in order to capture all magnetic particles that will be damaging to your entities. Although magnetic plugs are good they will not always capture all metal particles. We have found that between Sampling, Filter Changes, and Filtering that Bar Magnets capture a large amount of wear debris that may accumulate from large equipment using pinions and bull bears to drive our equipment. Although if a large amount of wear metal is found we know that we may have a problem and then we correct the problem before it causes more damage.
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Lubrication Tip #2
If your Company is using the Vented Oil Tube Sight Glasses, it is sometimes hard to determine the Oil Level in your equipment. This may be due to poor lighting or dusty environment. On the next inspection of the equipment try removing the tube and glass. Clean the inside tube with a degreaser, then paint the inside with a white or bright color paint. A felt tip white metal marking stick works great because it allows you to get inside the tube channel. This has worked well on several entities at our facility. With the lighter background, your equipment oil levels will better detectable with the lighter background.
Maintenance Tip Challenge Grand Prize goes to Spencer R. Anderson, PdM Maintenance Techician, TLNA, Loudon TN
Spencer wins a Free PdM-2006/LubricationWorld 4 Day Conference Pass with 4 nights hotel at the Marriott Chattanooga
