What’s At The End Of Your Rainbow?
When the reality of CMMS implementation and use falls short of ‘pot-of-gold’ expectations, knowledge and experience can help bridge the gap. But where do you get it?
The Importance Of Best Efficiency Point (BEP)
Understanding the factors involved in pump performance is key to optimizing the fluid-handling systems in your operations.
Sage Advice: Understanding RCM
Respected industry icon Anthony M. ‘Mac’ Smith expounds on Reliability Centered Maintenance and some of the many benefits it can deliver.
More from May 2013
- Viewpoint: Simplify, Simplify, Simplify (Your Support Experience)
- Capacity Assurance Marketplace
- Technology Showcase: MRO Equipment & Supplies
- Gadget: Improved Cooling of Electrical Enclosures
- Big Money Talks: Gearbox Efficiency — There's Money To Be Saved
- Electrical-Safety Sense: Elimination Of Risk
- Don't Procrastinate...Innovate! Practicality, Simplicity, Impact: The Win Was A SNAP
- Boosting Your Bottom Line: Can VFDs Help Optimize Your Motor System?
- Automation Insider: Asset Intelligence
- Uptime: Save Manufacturing And Save America
- My Take: You Bet They Can — Let's Hear It For The Girls
- Understanding Hidden Failures in RCM Analyses
- Specify Backup Power That Fits
- The Reliability Files
- Taming Those Misbehaving Motors
- Successful CMMS Implementation For A Major Healthcare Facility
Thanks to the many individuals, companies and organizations (including attendees, presenters, sponsors and association partners) that gathered in Rosemont, IL, for our very successful, 10th annual Maintenance & Reliability Technology Summit. We couldn't have done it without you!
Weren't able to join us this year? We missed you! You can still download MARTS 2013 presentations at www.martsconference.com/archived-presentations. See you next year!
Industry News
You’ll probably read this column around the time of ISA Automation Week, in Orlando, FL, Sept. 24-27. This annual conference is a gathering of automation, controls and instrumentation engineers, managers and technicians in the process industries. Among the highlights of this year’s program is a demonstration of data interoperability from the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) functions on through, ultimately, the Operations and Maintenance functions. The Open O&M group (www.mimosa.org) has been working toward this event for several years.
The demonstration involves the design, construction (virtual), operation and maintenance of a debutanizer. Three major design suppliers—Aveva, Bentley and Intergraph—are all on board with the project, which will be designed by the EPC WorleyParsons. Note that this demo is being run the same way a “real” industrial project would run. If all of the project work comes to fruition, the benefit to end-users will be improved maintenance response. Owner/operators will be able to get up-to-date P&IDs with truly digital links to actual equipment specifications. Thus, should a pump or motor go down in the middle of the night, a technician would be able to call up the information on a computer and drill right down to the model and spare-parts list to obtain a replacement or have a repair done more quickly than has typically been possible.
Last month was also a busy one for automation in the U.S.
National Instruments’ annual developer and user conference, NI Week, drew 3400 people to the Austin, TX, heat, Aug. 6-9. I had several conversations with product managers and application engineering managers during that event. Improving the speed, accuracy and visualization of condition monitoring was a major point they all wanted to get across to me. Incorporating digital technologies such as condition monitoring, advanced networking and visualization—especially on new mobile platforms like iPads—will improve maintenance effectiveness and responsiveness. Leveraging these types of advancements (i.e., moving from preventive to predictive or model-based maintenance) is sure to make your life easier.MT
Gary Mintchell, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , is Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Automation World magazine and blogs at www.garymintchellsfeedforward.com.
Featured White Paper
WIRELESS TEST TOOLS CAN CUT TROUBLESHOOTING TIME
By: Fluke Corporation
The automation of more and more processes and operations in today’s factories and commercial buildings is helping to reduce energy consumption and increase safety and productivity as never before. However, automation has also added a large dose ofcomplexity for the technicians who maintain and troubleshoot the systems. Click here to learn how Fluke's CNX 3000 Wireless system can help.
Featured Supplier: New Pig
New Pig’s PIG® Latching Drum Lids enable quick, easy drum access and secure closure to help meet closed container regulations. Designed to open and close easily with one hand, the Lids keep drum contents dry and pure without hassle.
Synergy Is In Our DNA
A partnership with Maintenance Technology and Lubrication Management & Technology keeps your message, products and services in front of 82,000+ decision-makers 24/7/365.
Online, in print and in person, our two synergistic publications are better than one. For more information, click here to contact your MT/LMT Sales Representative today.