January 10, 2008 Establishing a Competency Based Maintenance Training Program
MTrain-2008 Maintenance Training Conference
March 18-20 - Las Vegas
FREE Bonus Workshop March 17
Workshop #3
Establishing a Competency Based Maintenance Training Program by Perry Lovelace and Andy Page
When people work together towards a common goal, their interdependencies form a complex system. To analyze the training and competency of one person without considering his/her effect on the team doesn’t describe the effect of that person on the entire system or in this case…team.
Competency then, has to be considered at the team level as well as the individual level; we call this “Organizational Competency” (OC). The ability of a team or an organization to successfully deliver results rests not only with the individuals knowing their role and being capable of performing individually but also on the ability of all those individuals involved to work together as a cohesive unit.
Many organizations have tried to develop competency systems, and a few have been successful. The workshop leaders have experienced and studied several competency program successes and failures and will present tools and examples of that which works and pitfalls to avoid.
This workshop will provide the basic building blocks for Organizational Competency, including:
• Step-by-step change management process towards OC
• Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to translate the SMRP Body of Knowledge into Proficiency Reference Guides
• Methods of identifying proficiency levels for Job Families and/or Positions
• Individual competency assessment and review techniques and strategies
• Identifying critical skill gaps for your teams
• Creating individual and team development plans using training, OJT, and mentoring to close critical skill gaps
Early bird conference and hotel rates apply - so sign up today!
Call toll free (888) 575-1245 to speak to one of our conference specialists.
January 10, 2008 Transformer Testing Tip
When testing transformers with a Baker Surge/DC Potential/Kelvin resistance tester, here are some rules to help provide most accurate results:
1) Make sure taps or lug connections are free/clear of oxidation, varnish, oil, tape or corrosion, a good connection with the Kelvin resistance bridge is important. Cleaning solutions, sandpaper, emery cloth or filing could be required depending on the situation. Follow your company guidelines.
2) If testing the primary windings, be sure the secondary windings are shorted out across their terminals, at the time of the test with alligator jumpers. In essence, any winding that is not connected to a Baker test lead, should be identified and shorted out.
3) The same rule applies for testing of the secondary windings. i.e. the primary windings should then be shorted across terminals with alligator jumpers.
4) Rule #1 also applies for Meg-Ohm, DC potential tests, and the Surge test, loose or bad connections can lead to sparking at the connections. Clean connections will improve accuracy of the test results.
5) Rule #2 and #3 also apply for the Meg-Ohm, DC potential tests, and the Surge test. Leaving the un-tested windings open circuited could result in an unknown voltage across the terminals of the secondary winding. If a weakness occurs in the winding, during a test, the transient voltages that could occur are damped by the shorting alligator jumpers.
6) The shorting jumpers can also provide a path to limit induced stray voltages from nearby conductors.
7) Remember, Baker Surge DC potential/Kelvin resistance testers are for testing de-energized windings, be sure to lock out the winding and follow all safety procedures provided by your company!
Tip provided by Baker Instruments, an SKF Group Company
Tel: (970) 282-1200
http://www.bakerinst.com
January 10, 2008 The essential foundation for a successful maintenance and reliability program
ABB’s PM30 Hosted Maintenance Management Service enables you to increase plant productivity through improved PM compliance and make better decisions with more complete and consistent information.
Implemented in only 90 days, PM30 reduces unexpected repairs, unplanned downtime and maintenance costs through:
• Analyzing failures to develop the right maintenance approach
• Implementing world-class business processes that accelerate maintenance and reliability improvement
• Optimizing maintenance staffing to meet workflow requirements by performing productivity analysis
Phone: 877-234-6756
Find out more about ABB’s PM30 Hosted Maintenance Management Service
January 10, 2008 Alignment Tip
The PASS mode and generators.
When using the laser system in the PASS mode (uncoupled) with turbines and generator sets, the turbine typically is easier to turn than the generator.
The problem is that in turning the generator with chain falls or other mechanical means, the shaft will deflect and cause repeatability problems.
Try this next time: If the sensor is attached to the generator and the laser to the turbine, place the red cap gently on the sensor, or block the beam by some other means as it passes in front of the laser. This will prevent any readings from being taken when the generator is rotated. Then remove the red cap from the sensor and rotate the turbine and take a reading. You will be taking half as many points, but this will eliminate shaft deflection and greatly improve repeatability.
Tip provided by LUDECA, INC.
ALIGNMENT * VIBRATION * BALANCING
http://www.ludeca.com
Tel: 305-591-8935
Read Article: Bracket Sag in Gas Turbine Laser Alignment (PDF)
January 10, 2008 Infrared Thermal Imaging Tip
When setting up to take thermal images in a new and unfamiliar setting, I initially set level & span in the following way:
1. Defocus the camera to one extreme or the other (close or far).
2. Aim the imager at the subject
3. Select auto-adjust and let level & span stabilize.
4. Restore the camera to manual setting.
5. Refocus on your subject.
Doing this usually puts the camera close to the level and span I want to use. Manual adjustment to achieve optimum settings are much quicker once I’ve done that.
Reader tip provided by Rocky Rutter
Freelance Thermographer
Norman, Oklahoma
Thanks Rocky - your stainless steel, diamond plate, Reliabilityweb.com coffee mug is on the way!
January 10, 2008 Advancing Reliability and Maintenance by Jack Nicholas Jr.
RCM-2008 Reliability Centered Maintenance Managers’ Forum
March 18-20 - Las Vegas
FREE Bonus Workshop March 17
Workshop #1
Workshop Outline
• History of RCM and rationale for its development and evolution in various organizations
• Economic factors and forces that led to the development of RCM Variants and Derivatives, the Society of Automotive and Aerospace Engineers (SAE) RCM Standard and its relationship to the SAE Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Standards
• Descriptions of various approaches to “Classical” RCM, Variants and Derivatives:
• Avoiding pitfalls in the execution of projects utilizing any of the above approaches and the obligations of both client and services providers to assure success
• Assessing readiness to successfully apply RCM to facilities or vehicles by internal self-audit of an organization
• Evolution and rationale for metrics to determine whether or not to perform any approach to RCM analysis on a particular asset and, when you decide to do so, metrics to use for three phases of an RCM Project (Analysis, Implementation and Benefits phases)
• Between 60 and 80 metrics will be defined for possible use in various venues
• Results of an RCM Survey conducted by Internet with over 200 participants in early 2005
• How RCM methodology fits into broader reliability and maintenance strategies with actual examples of strategy overviews presented
• How to link RCM with other maintenance and reliability processes and methodologies including, but not limited to Total Production Maintenance TPM), Six Sigma, various “maintenance scorecards,” and other elements of asset management and assessment
Early bird conference and hotel rates apply - so sign up today!
Call toll free (888) 575-1245 to speak to one of our conference specialists.
Find our more about the Reliability Centered Maintenance Managers’ Forum
January 10, 2008 Work Management Tip
In order to facilitate your equipment reliability program, have your Planners include in the job steps to record “as-found” conditions upon disassembly of equipment.
Also, the Planner should take note of any ‘environmental’ conditions that may be a contributor to equipment degradation.
The Planner should consider including in the work order a component specific checklist of potential failure mode contributors. However, it should be stressed to Technicians to look with a critical eye and include all information.
When it comes to work order feedback; there is no such thing as too much.
Reader tip provided by David Spence
Senior Project Controls Specialist
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
Thank you David - your stainless steel, diamond plate, Reliabilityweb.com coffee mug is on the way!
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January 10, 2008 Technical Knowledge Tip
Dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per week to enhancing your technical knowledge. Consider activities such as reading, observing, listening, and doing. The key here is DEDICATED time and focus.
Tip excerpted from “144 Ways to Walk the Talk”
by Eric Jarvey and Al Lucia
