Problem

A thermal-based motor overload relay may allow a restart on a hot motor prematurely because a bimetallic overload relay cools faster than the motor it is protecting. Once the relay resets, an operator can restart the motor, potentially causing costly equipment damage. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) reports that for every 8-10 degrees a motor is operated above its manufacturer’s recommended maximum operating temperature, motor life is cut by half. To preserve the investment in a motor and avoid downtime and replacement labor, an accurate measurement of motor temperature is essential.

Problem
A nationally known gypsum company was experiencing sealing problems with its product-mixing machines. It contacted Inpro/Seal® for help.

The plant turns out a range of gypsum-board and interior-finish  product, including joint-treatment compounds, tape and plaster. Two large, twin-shaft mixers are used in the process—one for dry bagging compounds and the other for compounds used for ready-mix products.  Located high, near the top of the building, these machines operate five days a week, intermittently because of the batch-style process.

Problem
In challenging economic times, those who succeed have to find ways to do more with less. With respect to rotating assets, end-users are often faced with an inevitable "pay a little now or a lot more later" scenario.

How a company manages its rotating equipment assets is what actually determines the cost of operating a particular piece of machinery. The lowest cost with the highest ROI requires addressing certain key elements that directly relate to mechanical breakdown and reliability performance. And, similar to human health care, the lowest costs and highest ROI can only be obtained through prevention.