More than meets the eye

It’s often a challenge to let readers know the full extent of the content in each issue. We’re limited in space on our covers, where we can only briefly highlight the most important features. Our contents page lets us give you the headlines and a few more details, but often, our stories range over many topics and ideas that aren’t revealed in these descriptions.

With that in mind, we thought you might be interested in a few facts you’ll find in this issue that may not be evident from our cover or contents page.

For example, did you know that something as apparently innocuous as a compressed air leak could have environmental consequences? That’s one reason why leak audits are so important. Planning a compressed air leak audit incorporates a number of facets, such as using a map of the compressed gas system and its various components. If no map exists, try taking digital photographs of each section using both long-range and close-up views, and labelling them. (The Hidden Costs of Compressed Air Leaks, p. 14).

In another story, we learn that elevators carrying granular potassium chloride at the Rocanville mine in Saskatchewan use a gravity take-up arrangement that will internally adjust for slight chain elongation during the entire chain life without any manual maintenance. (Drive Design Saves Space, pg. 21.)

We also learn that a lot of old-school maintenance guys are nervous about ‘fix-it-forever’ maintenance. “If it doesn’t break, we won’t have a job,” they say. But this is the furthest concept from the truth that you can imagine. (Calling in on the Maintenance Doctor, p. 25.)

As only hinted at by our cover photograph, arc flash can be an impending danger in almost any industrial facility. But did you know that surfaces of both people and objects will absorb the intense light energy from an arc flash and can be instantly heated to vaporizing temperatures? (Arc Flash Dangers Require Effective PPE, p. 26.)

And did you know that by using Root Cause Analysis, your maintenance crew will experience a deep sense of satisfaction when they solve long-standing problems. Also, it builds their confidence and reinforces the systematic troubleshooting process. (Root Cause Analysis and your CMMS, p. 27.)

In another story, a plant has high spares inventory valued in the hundreds of thousands — if not millions of dollars. “I think we can get away with three or four motors instead of the 10 we have just for the wet end of the paper machine alone,” said Kevin. (Maintenance Management: Unearthing New Problems, p. 29.)

As a creativity-building exercise, you can try out those old-fashioned Tinkertoys and kids’ building blocks to visually and tactically solve your problem. (To Improve Work, Re-imagine It, p. 31.)

Then there’s a wrench kit that extends the reach of workers, giving them greater freedom and leverage in tight areas and reducing the risk of injuries. (What’s New in Hand and Power Tools, p. 35.)

These are just a few of the tips and ideas you’ll find in this issue. We certainly hope you’ll find something you can use in your job today.