MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Monday, 13 June 2011 14:06 - My Take: It's Not Necessarily Rocket Science

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:06:53 +0100

Or maybe I should say, “It’s not necessarily rocket science that’s going to put U.S. industry back in the global driver’s seat and on the road to a robust and sustainable tomorrow.” From everything I’m seeing and hearing, a lot of what we need boils down to plain old innovation—fueled by plain old innovative thinking.

Monday, 13 June 2011 13:55 - Uptime: Emerging Standard Sets The Stage For A Work-Culture ...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:55:52 +0100

Quality experts of 40, 50 and 60 years ago were told to go elsewhere. The big U.S. industries had quality under control with QA and QC labs, inspectors and defect-sorting processes. So, those experts went to Japan. We all know how that worked out…

Monday, 13 June 2011 13:20 - Compressed Air Challenge: Finding And Fixing Compressed Air Leaks

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:20:53 +0100

Imagine your plant as a big ship travelling toward your chosen destination. At some point, waves sweep across the bow, rain pours in and salt water begins eating holes through the hull. Leaks start—first a trickle, then a torrent.

Monday, 13 June 2011 13:16 - For On The Floor: Retirement Roulette

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:16:44 +0100

How do today’s maintenance professionals cope with retirement issues in the 21st century? Ask 10 workers and you’ll get 10 different answers.

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:53 - The Business Case For PAS 55: An Emerging Global Standard For ...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:53:54 +0100

Time to get ready. A standard's coming. Here's some insight into this framework for maximizing the return on your assets and improving safety. You'll need to think 'best practices.'

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:40 - How To Fall In Love With Health & Safety Inspections

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:40:24 +0100

Learn how the Chicago Angelica plant leverages its CMMS in the area of compliance.

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:33 - Handling, Storing And Dispensing Industrial Lubricants

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:33:00 +0100

Refine your techniques with these guidelines.

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:30 - Reliable Gadgets: Online Vibration Data Collection

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:30:48 +0100

With increasing pressure to do more with less, unexpected pump failures are unaffordable. Condition monitoring is the key to maintaining healthy equipment and keeping costs under control. Systems like the VIBNODE® are ideal for identifying problems such as misalignment, cavitation, bearing faults, coupling issues, impeller problems, unbalance and mechanical looseness (loose bases or cracked foundations) before pumps fail, thus saving thousands in lost production and repairs. VIBNODE’s functionality includes the capability to scan six or 12 channels, the suitability for replacement of switchboxes and the ability to link to existing vibration sensors or new installations. The system is configured with the powerful OMNITREND® software for easy setup, storage-analysis of spectrums, monitoring and access of customized spectrums from remote locations and alarm notifications by email or text message. Power requirements are based on 24 VDC, thereby minimizing installation power requirements.

LUDECA, Inc.
Doral, FL
www.ludeca.com/vibnode

For more info, enter 78 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:23 - The Reliability Files: Proper Training Is Key In Evaluating ...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:23:20 +0100

There are several catalysts that can spark a discussion within a company about whether to upgrade or replace a steam boiler.

Monday, 13 June 2011 12:00 - Lube Spots

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:00:49 +0100

Oil Dialysis: Healthcare For Lubricated Machinery

Monday, 13 June 2011 10:42 - Electrical-Safety Sense: Better Voltage Detection

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:42:49 +0100

Maintenance workers carry Non-Contact Voltage Detector (NCVD) pens. This portable device allows them to check electrical conductors for live voltage without touching bare wires. The NCVD is unique because it senses voltage when positioned without making an electrical connection.

How Does an NCVD Work?
The NCVD detects an energized wire by measuring the voltage across two variable capacitors: 1) between the NCVD to the energized wire; 2) between the NCVD to ground (through the worker). The reliability of an NCVD actually improves when it’s used with a voltage portal because it provides a fixed “known” capacitance from the wire to the NCVD. Less variability means more reliability.

What is a Voltage Portal?
A voltage portal is an encapsulated non-conductive point that extends each voltage source to the outside of an enclosure. The portal’s design ensures that when voltage is present, the NCVD can be positioned close enough to the voltage in order to sense it. A voltage portal design ensures that the voltage point is safely secured while still detectable by a worker using an NCVD.

Improved Panel Design = Electrical Safety
Voltage portals installed into an electrical enclosure provide the best environment for reliable operation of an NCVD. Here are specific recommendations and practices:

▲Voltage portals should be mounted on the enclosure side or flange closest to the main disconnect, thereby avoiding 480V on the enclosure door.

▲When installing voltage portals into the enclosure, route the lead wires away from high-power switching devices (AC drives or other) that may interfere with and, thus, change the capacitance and affect operation of the NCVD.

▲Grounded metal enclosures tend to keep stray electrical energy within the enclosure, so the NCVD only senses voltage at the voltage portal. Likewise, when an NCVD is used on a non-metallic enclosure, it will detect stray voltages that may not be associated with the voltage on the voltage portal. For example, the NCVD may sense voltage with an open disconnect by detecting the stray voltage on the line side of the disconnect.

Using NCVD pens and voltage portals to verify isolation of electrical energy is a reliable, thru-panel voltage-detection system. Not only does this method enhance compliance with NFPA 70E, it increases employee productivity. MT

To learn more about specific recommendations and practices, visit: info.graceport.com/MT4; or email the author: philallen@grace-eng.com.

For more info, enter 07 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

Sponsored Information

Monday, 13 June 2011 10:22 - Technology Showcase: Automation & Control

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:22:35 +0100

The industrial automation & control sector is a vast field that, for our purposes, includes electronic components; process controls; sensors, transducers and transmitters; recording instruments; motion control and support components.*

Monday, 13 June 2011 09:46 - Where Have All The Leaders Gone?

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:46:27 +0100

A lack of leadership leads to big losses and unsustainable operations.

Monday, 13 June 2011 09:36 - Know Any LubeStarz?

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:36:29 +0100

Monday, 13 June 2011 09:25 - Maintaining MOV Stem Nuts: Out-Of-Sight, Out-Of-Mind No More

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:25:28 +0100

This new, non-intrusive diagnostic tool makes the job of quantifying critical thread wear faster and easier than in the past.

Monday, 13 June 2011 09:06 - Capacity Assurance Marketplace

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:06:30 +0100

True Agitator Seals That Cut Maintenance Time

Monday, 13 June 2011 09:00 - Viewpoint: No Time For Hobbies

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:00:22 +0100

When asked to assist in improving and optimizing the maintenance and reliability performance of a client, we begin by conducting a maintenance effectiveness assessment.