Features
CASE HISTORY: Heavy equipment moved
During a two-week summer shutdown last year, Maska moved its equipment from its old facility to a new plant, which had been constructed in two phases, one starting in 1997 and the other in 1999.A rigg…
CASE HISTORY: Self-sufficiency is key to Maska’s maintenance operations
Pulleys, winches, cranks and tackle blocks are said to have their genesis in the fourth century B.C. inventions of Archytas de Tarente. A Quebec company, however, seeks its edge in the competitive pul…
FOCUS ON ALIGNMENT: Alignment secrets
After spending over 30 years in industrial maintenance, I have had my share of experience installing new equipment. I have been involved in moving many large machines, some as little as a few feet, ot…
Variety abounds for sources of data
In Print… Scott’s has released a commemorative 25th edition of its Quebec Manufacturers Directory. Directory data includes executive name, title, company name, year established, square footage, est…
CASE HISTORY: Maintenance and production work together
In some plants, production and maintenance are occasionally at odds, but not at Ball Packaging Products Canada Inc.. “It is a very close relationship,” says Normand Sauvageau. A toolmaker by trade, he…
FOCUS ON COMPRESSED AIR : Controlling leaks in compressed air systems
Leaks in a compressed air system cause more problems than are normally recognized. For instance, the imbalance of pressure in most air systems is a function of the level of unregulated demand, of whic…
The Green Smoke Caper
Editor’s Note: Instead of our usual problem solving tip, this issue we’re using Mr. O’s space to bring you another delightful story from Frank Tabor. After working in industry at a variety of jobs for…
Industry Events (April 01, 2001)
An extensive, up-to-date list of industry events–conferences, trade shows, seminars and association meetings–of interest to plant maintenance and engineering practitioners can be found on the Intern…
Global bearing alliance puts industry on alert (April 01, 2001)
NTN Corporation, Osaka, Japan, and FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schfer AG, Schweinfurt, Germany, entered into a global strategic alliance at the conclusion of intensive negotiations mid-February in Paris. …
News and views about companies, staff, products and more (April 01, 2001)
Four companies which manufacture a wide range of industrial products are teaming up to create an on-line exchange to allow their distributors to purchase products from them. Rockwell Automation, Timke…
Breaking news front and centre
News about the machinery industry has taken a primary position on the Machinery & Equipment MRO website, www.mro-esource.com. Now, news bulletins and industry announcements are updated regularly in th…
CASE HISTORY: Maintenance on the fly
With just three lines and standing orders for 400 million cans a year, the maintenance strategy at the Ball Packaging Products Canada Inc. plant in Baie d’Urfe on Montreal’s West Island boils down to …
PRACTICAL AUTOMATION: Understanding pneumatic power circuits
Pneumatic directional control valves and cylinders are most commonly used in power circuits, with the valves controlling cylinders that, in turn, provide work. As we learn about a few of these circuit…
Small inverter has integrated control panel
A new line of compact, feature-rich inverters for simple variable-speed applications, the Movitrac 07 is small enough to hold in one hand. Suitable for applications such as agitators, fans, pumps, rol…
Versatile coating repairs parts and equipment
Fixmaster Flex Brushable Urethane is a two-part urethane system that combines the properties of rubber and urethane to form an abrasion and impact-resistant coating for parts and equipment. It can be …
B.C. distributor’s north-south expansion proves wily
Many key industries in North America, including some in the natural resource sector, have been forced to consolidate through takeovers and mergers in the face of technology-driven competition that is …
News (February 01, 2001)
Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a new method of recycling steel that turns discarded pop cans made of aluminum or steel into a valuable industrial resource with environmental bene…
Canadians lead the field in BSA bearing specialist certification program
The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) has announced its most recent certificants of its Certified Bearing Specialist program. All from BDI Canada of Mississauga, Ont., they are: Mario St. Amand, D…
FOCUS ON PUMPS: A maintainer’s guide to Treating Centrifugal Pumps
A pump is a wonderful thing when operating properly. You never give it a second thought. But when it’s not running properly, you hear about it right away. People on the receiving end are not getting h…
Removing a bearing from a blind hole
Problem: Removing a bearing from a blind hole can be difficult, especially when you are working in the field and do not have the proper tools at hand.Soluton: The proper way, illustrated here, is to u…
Industry Events (February 01, 2001)
An extensive, up-to-date list of industry events–conferences, trade shows, seminars and association meetings–of interest to plant maintenance and engineering practitioners can be found on the Intern…
New automation centre in St. John’s to boost training resource for local industries
Newfoundland and Labrador’s College of the North Atlantic is creating an advanced Industrial Automation Training Centre at its Ridge Road campus in St. John’s, Nfld. The centre will be operated by the…
News and views about companies, staff, products and more (February 01, 2001)
SKF Canada has named Robert (Bob) Mullins as operations manager at its Scarborough, Ont., location. In this position, Mullins will oversee all of the company’s warehouses, ensuring that the faciliti…
PRACTICAL AUTOMATION: Understanding fluid power diagrams
www.mro-esource.comThis article is dedicated to those people who have worked with a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit drawing filled with boxes, lines and squiggles they know nothing about. These drawing…
Helical drives weigh less but have more torque
Two new small parallel helical drives, the R17 and R27, have been introduced by SEW Eurodrive. They deliver up to 30% more torque and higher permissible overhung loads, yet weigh up to 20% less than t…
Maska Pulleys celebrates major expansion
Canada’s sole pulley manufacturer celebrated the grand opening of its new 105,000-sq ft manufacturing plant in October. The new facility was necessary as the privately-owned Saint-Claire, Que., compan…
Believing in pencil and paper
There’s an interesting lesson in our cover feature this issue. In Riding Herd (p. 18), a profile of maintenance operations at the Natrel dairy in Quebec, we learn that the company does a great job of …
PTDA convention attracts over 200 Canadian PT suppliers and distributors
The Power Transmission Distributors Association held a very successful convention at the end of October. The event, which was held in Hawaii, focused on the power of the end user.Seminars detailed how…
Recognizing its past, PTDA looks to future goals
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary by honouring its founders and past leaders at the association’s annual convention in Waikoloa, Hawaii. F…
News & views about companies, staff, product lines and more
SKF Canada, has been selected as one of the recipients of a Certificate of Merit in the 2000 Canada Awards for Excellence. The award recognizes Canadian organizations that achieve excellence through…
