Walgreens currently seeks qualified MAINTENANCE MANAGERS and MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS for 14 locations in our state-of-the-art Distribution Centers across the country. Walgreens Distribution Centers have developed a reputation for finding the newest, most efficient and innovative ways to move merchandise.

Find out more about opportunities at Walgreens

Note: This survey is offered by our friends at ignite Service and is independent from Reliabilityweb.com

Thank you in advance for taking this survey about forecasting and planning for Service Spare Parts and MRO Spare Parts. The survey is intended for practitioners in both Field Service and Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) environments, so we have generically used the term “spare parts” to cover both service spare parts and MRO spare parts. Please answer the questions as best you can from your individual perspective.

Your input and opinions are vital, so we truly appreciate the time you take to answer these questions. It should take only about 10-12 minutes. As always, unless you give ignite Service your specific permission to share it, any contact information you provide will be KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

ignite Service will also provide you with a courtesy copy of the summary report of this survey.

Begin your Service Spare Parts and MRO Spare Parts Survey

Life Cycle Institute offers new course!

Design for Reliability

There’s more to reliability than taking care of equipment. Register today for this new course and you’ll explore the principles of Life Cycle Asset Management, a holistic approach that addresses not only infrastructure needs, but also the supporting people, business processes, data and enabling technologies that are critical to success.

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Find out more about Design for Reliability

While relining an induction melting furnace I saw how our ingenious machine repair had rigged up a plumb bob to center the coil. In order to stabilize the plumb bob which was inside the furnace to a depth of twelve feet someone got a 5 gallon bucket of water and suspended the plumb bob in the water. Not only did it stabilize the “bob” against the air movement but it therefore allowed a quicker measurement to be taken when centering the coil as it would dampen the movement in case the string was bumped.

Reader tip provided by Edward Bloedorn
Technical Services Manager
Waukesha Manufacturing
Waukesha Wisconsin

Thank you Edward - your stainless steel - diamond plate - Reliabilityweb.com coffee mug is on the way!

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Testing motors OFF Line that have PFCC (Power Factor Correction Capacitors)

Motors that have PFCC (Power Factor Correction Capacitors) wired into the motor circuit can be very dangerous!

Description/Definition: PFCC (Power Factor Correction Capacitors) Induction electrical equipment takes more power from the electrical supply system than is necessary to produce the work required. Power factor is a term used to describe or measure the amount of energy needed by an electrical induction system to establish the magnetic fields that enable the motor to do work. Power factor is defined as the ratio of the true power used in an electrical circuit, to the power which is apparently being drawn from the source.
Power Factor Correction Capacitors are used on motors to correct the power factor. A properly sized capacitor will offset most of the lagging current of a motor and raise its power factor to about 95%.

If the capacitors do not discharge properly, the potential for an electrical shock is there. These capacitors wires coming to the starter are not very large, and sometimes difficult to recognize especially in an under lit area. Always conduct your plants lockout procedure and confirm again no power present. Always discharge the capacitors with your plants procedure, and then separate the capacitor circuit from the motor circuit. Take an OFF LINE test and save results for evaluation of the health of the motor. Know since you have PFCC (Power Factor Correction Capacitors) wired into the motor circuit you need to check the PFCC. Test the in line fuses to capacitors, test the discharging resistor, inspect visually the capacitor enclosure for any abnormalities and then test capacitors for stated rating that on name plate. PFCC (Power Factor Correction Capacitors) can save about 60% on a utility bill for the motor. Our managers are worried about turning off lights and fans, but the real savings is maintaining your PFCC (Power Factor Correction Capacitors). I suggest creating a PM in your RCM software and keep them up that way.

Reader tip provided by Dave Humphrey
Technology Group Electrician
Allison Transmission
Anderson Indiana

Thanks Dave - your stainless steel - diamond plate - Reliabilityweb.com coffee mug is on the way.

Join the Motor Testing Special Interest Group at the Association for Maintenance Professionals

1. TabWare’s equipment history coupled with TabWare Analytics can help you reduce unplanned equipment downtime.

2. TabWare’s work planning and scheduling provides quick and easy features to help you identify parts, specify labor requirements, specify safety instructions and job requirements so your maintenance work force productivity increases.

3. TabWare’s Event Management Module lets you input history, shift notes, inspections and record events in your plant without having to open a work order!

Find out more about TabWare

When starting a new oil analysis program the test results can reveal an overwhelming number of problems with the lubricants in your machinery. One key to making progress in correcting your lubrication troubles is to prioritize your remediation efforts.

Start slow and localize your early efforts to one area of your plant. If sample ports, breathers, filtering connections, and sight glass modifications are planned get those started before your sampling program begins and build your routes as the equipment is retrofit.

If nearly all of your equipment seems to be in a critical state according to your sample results prioritize your remediation efforts also. Consider focusing on Chemistry and Wear problems first. Your first work orders are written to change out the sour oil, oil with water contamination and filtering to reduce or eliminate wear debris before filtering just for contamination. Trend wear debris, with other technologies (vibration, ultrasound, and thermography data) to determine which equipment needs inspection repair or replacement.

Build your program in stages starting in your highest priority area and systematically work you way through. Early success builds confidence and enthusiasm

Tip provided by Allied Reliability
USA Phone: 843-414-5760

Find out more about Small Plant Best Practice Reliability Model from Allied Reliability

Work Instructions by Equipment or by Task?

When developing work instructions at some point the question arises as to if the tasks should be grouped so that one piece of equipment is worked on, or, one type of task is performed on multiple items of equipment.

For example:

(A)- Check belt tensions on all conveyors
Or
(B) - Check belt tension, rollers, scrapers etc on conveyor CV004

Obviously we need to set up work instructions to facilitate least possible total shutdown requirements AND most cost effective method AND effectiveness of task.

There are pros and cons for both methods, but some general observations are :

Per Item of Equipment

Pros
-Less ‘ramp time’
-Greater potential for ‘other’ potential problems to be identified and acted upon

Cons
-Greater potential for individual check tasks to get ‘missed’ (seen as not important)
-Greater potential for lower quality of ‘check’ on some components
-Potential increased ‘tool time’ due to unfamiliarity of individual tasks
-Potential increased ‘tool time’ as maintainer may not have all required tools on him for all tasks

Per Type of Task

Pros
-Higher quality of ‘check’ task on that individual task
-Less potential for ‘check’ task to be ‘missed’ (importance implied)
-Potential reduced ‘tool time’ due to familiarity / repetition of task
-Potential reduced ‘tool time’ as maintainer will have all required / correct tools on him (after first one)

Cons
-Increased ‘ramp time’
-Greater potential for ‘tunnel vision’ can occur

The weighting / likelihood of the above pros and cons varies for different businesses / workforces, and considering these can help make the right decision.

Tip provided by ARMS Reliability Engineers