Features
Maintenance faces boom
The pressure is always on to save money on MRO expenses. Did you know that unplanned buying accounts for 40-45% of a typical organization’s overall purchases? Or that maintenance and repair purchases …
News and views about companies on the move, new staff, product line changes, and more
The Montreal-based Industrial Research Team (IRT) reports that testing is under way on air cylinders, plug-in relays, bearings, V-belts and air valves. The results will be published in upcoming issu…
Torque tips to control fasteners
Simple math solves gas/oil mixture dilemmaProblem: I usually have four different gas/oil mix containers to use in various applications, including 50:1, 32:1, 16:1 and unmixed gas. One day I needed som…
Software takes over role of print catalogue for motor selection
The U.S. Patent Office recently awarded Rockwell Automation’s Reliance Electric a patent for the RPM AC Motor Wizard, variable speed AC motor application and selection software. This software is des…
Practical presentations
Mar. 6, 2000, monthly meeting of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, Alberta Section. The meeting will be held at the Ogden Legion Hall, 2625-78 Ave., S.E., Calgary, Alta. Ian Diven…
Focus on Energy Efficiency: Harmonic Discord
Harmonics generated by variable speed drives are a form of pollution of the electrical plant that can cause severe problems. From flickering lights to exploding capacitors, the range of symptoms is di…
Maintenance Management: big savings at big steel
When, in the late 1980s, Dofasco Inc. realized that its maintenance costs were rising, despite the introduction of PM and CMMS systems in the ’70s and ’80s, it scoured the industry and its own mainten…
Focus on Casters & Wheels:Eliminating Caster Cast-offs
Casters are pretty simple at first glance–a wheel mounted in a frame, basically. But closer inspection reveals many individual components that must work together for safe, effective operation of the …
Practical Automation: Using mechanical methods to generate linear motion
Mechanical rotary-to-linear motion conversion drives can move and position loads with varying degrees of precision, but must be guided in their lineal motion to be effective in practical automation ap…
Focus on Alignment: Dancing with a soft foot
Alignment of machinery is critical in plant operations, and soft foot conditions are especially troublesome. Here’s how various alignment systems can help.You would probably think it foolish to have w…
