MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Thursday, 25 October 2012 10:45 - Gaining An Edge With The Right Hydraulic Fluids

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:45:59 +0100

In today’s competitive business environment, even the smallest details can provide plants with a competitive edge. Many manufacturing plants are in continuous operation, striving to meet critical deadlines. That kind of workload on industrial machinery requires hydraulic fluids that protect equipment and help eliminate unscheduled downtime.

Friday, 14 September 2012 12:14 - Motor Shaft Voltages Kill Bearings

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:14:17 +0100

Problem

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) make commercial HVAC systems, automated assembly lines and other processes more energy efficient. But they induce currents that can damage motor bearings. The resulting downtime and costly repairs can wipe out energy savings and severely diminish the reliability of an entire system. Now, with the AEGIS® Shaft Voltage Test Kit, you can find out which motors are at risk and install AEGIS® rings to protect them.

Monday, 28 May 2012 17:49 - Better Inventory Management Helps Cut Operating Costs

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:49:39 +0100

Problem
A study conducted by Grainger’s Consulting Services estimates that more than half of U.S. businesses aren’t effectively managing their maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies, leaving them with dead, obsolete and budget-draining inventory. In 2012, U.S. businesses are expected to spend approximately $110 billion on MRO items—ranging from light bulbs to cleaning supplies to nuts and bolts—and more than $12 billion of it will never be used.

The Grainger research also found that: customers spend an average of 90 minutes per day replenishing product; half of the inventory customers maintain had no turn within the last year; and customers rarely analyze the inventory they do keep on hand.

Monday, 28 May 2012 17:43 - Vibration Analysis: It's Finally In Your Hands

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:43:49 +0100

Problem
Unplanned downtime and costly repairs a problem in your facility? Chances are the culprit falls into one of four common mechanical faults: imbalance, misalignment, wear or looseness.

The good news is vibration analysis can identify these faults before they become big problems. The bad news is vibration analysis services can often be time consuming and expensive. What you need is a product that puts the power and expertise of vibration analysis in your hands.

Wednesday, 04 April 2012 00:00 - Choose The Best Hydraulic Fluid For The Job

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Problem
If you’re like most manufacturers, you want a hydraulic fluid that will decrease downtime, lower operational costs, increase productivity and, as a result, add to your overall profits. This may sound like a laundry list of unattainable goals, but when you better understand the challenges placed on your equipment and work with professionals who know your business and needs, these benefits are achievable.

David Moore, Plant Manager for Auto Mats and Accessories of Dalton, GA, knows first-hand the importance of selecting the right hydraulic fluid for the job.

Friday, 23 March 2012 14:57 - Protect Your Gearbox With The Right Lubricant

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:57:22 +0100

Problem
For many industrial businesses, gearboxes represent the heart of production. Today, advancements in technology have enabled equipment manufacturers to decrease the footprint of gearboxes, while maintaining the same—or even higher—power transmission capabilities.

Compared to previous models, these newer, higher-performing units typically require lubricants that offer more comprehensive protection. If a gearbox isn’t properly maintained with the appropriate lubricant, there’s a potential for the equipment to experience a condition known as “micropitting.”

Friday, 23 March 2012 14:30 - Producing Major Savings For A Power Producer

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:30:24 +0100

National Power Corporation (NPC)* is the largest provider and generator of electricity in the Philippines. Built in 1979, NPC’s Agus 6/7 Hydroelectric Plant Complex is located along the Maria Cristina Falls on the Agus River in Mindanao. The Complex is made up of two hydroelectric power plants: Agus 6 encompasses Units 3, 4 and 5 and produces 150MW of electricity, while the smaller Agus 7 consists of Units 1 and 2 and has a rated capacity of 54MW. Between 2008 and the end of 2011, nine Scalewatcher water-conditioner systems were installed in the generator air-cooling equipment atthe Complex. They have markedly improved both cooling efficiency and rated capacity.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012 00:00 - Prevent Sludge From Building Up Your Costs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Problem
The heavy-duty hydraulic systems in today’s industrial plants endure some of the toughest operating conditions. They run under extreme pressures, at increasing speeds and are working harder than ever before. Now, in light of the trend toward smaller reservoirs, even more stress is being put on this equipment.

These factors can present many challenges—one of the most important of which is sludge buildup. With the smaller systems now in operation, air and heat are not able to escape as easily as they are with larger reservoirs. Water may not separate as effectively. Contaminants may accumulate faster. As the rate of oxidation rises, so does the risk of harmful sludge buildup. Even with a good filtering system, excessive sludge can plug filters, which increases equipment wear and can seriously damage the hydraulic pump.

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 00:00 - Producing Major Savings For A Major Power Producer

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Monday, 12 December 2011 00:00 - Problem-Solving Answers. Money-Making Solutions.

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Problem
These days, manufacturing facilities face a constant battle to find new ways to increase productivity while lowering or maintaining operating costs. When you’re in charge of maintenance you have to adapt quickly to changing production and business demands, while still considering your operations and, of course, your bottom line. Reducing operating costs and managing the risk of downtime is a big part of the job. A review of hydraulic fluids can go a long way to helping meet this goal.

Monday, 21 November 2011 00:00 - Extending The Life Of Energy-Efficient HVAC Equipment

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Problem
A leading plastic-injection company planned to install variable frequency drives (VFDs) on its chiller pumps to increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. These drives are increasingly popular in the HVAC industry because of their ability to economically meet changing load demands, making them ideal for fluid and air-flow applications.

Tuesday, 04 October 2011 00:00 - Lubricants Are Not Commodities: Making The Case For Superior ...

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Problem
Lubricant performance can vary greatly between competing mineral-based and synthetic oils. Because these quality differences directly and significantly impact the ultimate cost of operating and maintaining rotating equipment, your lubricant purchases can’t be managed the same way your organization manages its purchasing of commodity-type products. Lubricant excellence must always be the top priority, for even the most effective lubricant-management practices can’t impart properties to a lubricant that it doesn’t possess.

Solution
The primary job of a lubricant is to reduce friction and protect lubricated components. (Those reflect, respectively, energy- and wear-related issues.). Most rotating equipment repairs are due to the failure of lubricated components, mainly bearings. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that truly superior lubrication will deliver both energy and maintenance savings. That’s where Royal Purple comes in.

Thursday, 15 September 2011 13:05 - Harnessing The Power Of Smarter Meters To Do Lots More ...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:05:48 +0100

Problem
As noted last month, just because your workload is continuing to increase, doesn’t mean you need to be carrying around more tools to do it. You just need tools with more capabilities.

Solution
Agilent Technologies—the world’s premier measurement company—has you covered with its recently introduced U1233A Handheld Digital Multimeter.

Sunday, 04 September 2011 00:00 - Get More From Hydraulic Systems In Wide-Operating ...

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Problem
As you probably have noticed, today’s hydraulic systems are much smaller, run at more extreme temperatures and work harder than ever before. On top of those challenges, many hydraulic systems have to operate through a wide temperature range.

Finding the right hydraulic fluid can make a big difference in ensuring peak performance throughout extreme temperatures and conditions as well as helping to reduce downtime and extend drain intervals. Fortunately, just like our hydraulic systems, the hydraulic fluids we use in them have come a long way in terms of performance. Knowing what to look for is key to getting the right fluid for your system needs.

Friday, 19 August 2011 13:17 - New Generation of Smart Meter Lets You Do More With Less

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:17:01 +0100

Problem
As your workload continues to increase, it’s only right that your tools should do more. That includes your trusty multimeter, which should allow you to carry fewer tools and still get the job done faster and better.

Solution
Agilent Technologies—the world’s premier measurement company—has introduced that type of harder-working tool specifically for you: It’s the new U1233A Handheld Digital Multimeter.

Thursday, 14 July 2011 08:42 - Combating Harmful Sludge Buildup

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:42:14 +0100

Problem
Imagine you are running a marathon—24/7/365—with a coach right behind you, constantly demanding more speed and reduced time splits. While your training regimen may have prepared you for the challenge, once you start the race, how do you ensure that your joints and limbs keep operating? Performance fluids play an important role in hydrating a runner’s system, purging toxins from organs and lubricating joints. Hydraulic equipment has similar needs in maintaining system performance.

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 14:29 - Solve The #1 Motor-Failure Problem With Accurate Temperature ...

Tue, 24 May 2011 20:29:21 +0100

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.

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 14:28 - 7+ Years and Counting: A Case Study Of Sealing Success

Tue, 24 May 2011 20:28:02 +0100

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.

Thursday, 17 February 2011 20:54 - Equipment Health Update: A Better Way To Do More With Less

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:54:26 +0100

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.

Thursday, 13 January 2011 11:44 - Thru-Panel Voltage Detection Makes Sense With NFPA 70E ...

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:44:35 +0100

Problem
Workplace electrical safety has found its way into every facet of our electrical world. Maintenance departments struggle to keep equipment running while staying compliant with NFPA 70E/CSA Z462 standards.