Features
Transforming the face of grinding technology
Engineering skills learned from the precision grinding of bearing rings and rollers combined with the latest intelligent machine technologies brings greater precision, faster cycle times and even better product quality to the grinding process.
Why do motor drives impact the world so dramatically regarding energy savings?
New Berlin, WI – Motor drives, which act exactly…
Study examines career decision-making patterns of Canadian youth and educational outcomes
Ottawa – Career decision-making for the majority of Canadian…
Depreciation rates for machinery and equipment increase: Study
Ottawa – Today (Jan. 26, 2015), Statistics Canada released…
Failure to block machinery results in injury to worker and $160,000 fine for GM Canada
Whitby, ON – General Motors of Canada has been…
Understanding ball screw lubrication
Ball screws – mechanical devices that convert rotational motion to linear motion with a minimal amount of friction – are used in an array of industrial applications and particularly in machine tools. However, they must be lubricated…
Nano-ceramic grease extends maintenance interval 6x
A new high-performance nano-ceramic grease has proven to significantly extend the service life of bearings operating in washdown conditions. The grease is being used on lift truck wheel bearings for frozen food processing and handling…
Is lubrication data missing from your KPIs?
In industrial operations the world over, lubrication remains a vexing challenge. Indeed, when machine bearings fail, there’s a better than 70% chance that faulty or insufficient lubrication practices are ultimately to blame….
The importance of support systems in maintenance
This month’s column continues an ongoing report about our experiences, assessment and recommendations to improve maintenance and operations at an Ontario food processing plant.
Sealing solutions for industrial bearings
To perform properly and last, bearings must be protected from loss of lubrication and external contamination. Yet traditional contact oil seals can severely damage equipment. This conundrum can be solved by using non-contact isolators that…
A secret weapon in condition monitoring
Torque monitoring is an ever-increasing technology trend, present in industries such as cement, marine and power. It provides users with a deeper understanding of the operational demands of their machines when it is difficult to diagnose a…
Strategies for maintaining hydraulic systems
Hydraulic systems are used in many industries and perform an integral role in many processes. They are just one of many technologies that users need to contend with in maintaining their plants and equipment. Apart from the user’s own…
Microbes target toxic metals
Anglo American, one of the world’s largest mining companies, has installed new technology to remove nitrate and selenium from the wastewater discharge at its Peace River Coal Trend Mine in Tumbler Ridge, BC, located about 700 km northeast…
Tablet Power at the Worksite
Imagine this maintenance scenario: Using a tablet computer, an electrician photographs a Quick Response code, or QR code, pasted on an electrical cabinet. Within seconds, the tablet locates a raft of detailed information specific to this piece…
Instant Parts
To reduce inventory, production and machine downtime costs, maintenance organizations should get up to speed with the latest developments in 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing technology. In the near future, 3D printing could…
Non-asbestos gasket developed
For over 50 years, the fluid sealing industry has been attempting, with limited success, to find an ideal solution to replace asbestos-based gaskets. However, a new product has now come on to the market that meets the needs of users and avoids…
Big bearing ensures smooth process
The German company ESW Röhrenwerke manufactures seamless steel pipes that are used worldwide as structural tubes in machinery, steel construction, in the automotive industry, as boiler tubes and as pipelines and supply lines for…
Are you making these common mistakes?
The wheels of industry turn on bearings, so why do the wheels often vibrate, clatter, squeak, drag and overheat? Bearings can fail for lots of reasons. Most failures (as shown in Figure 1) are related to lubrication and contamination, but…
Questioning Procedures
Rewinding and repairing large magnets is one of the specialties at Electro Motors Co. Ltd. Its team of skilled people is trained not only to rewind/repair to the original manufacturer’s specifications, but also to identify the reason for…
Are you ready for ISO 55000?
2014 will see the unleashing of the ISO 55000 suite of asset management systems on the world. What will that mean to you? For you to understand a little better what the answer may be, perhaps we should first look at where this standard…
A Matter of Survival
Humans have a powerful urge to race to the rescue when someone succumbs to a hazard in a confined space. Yet that is the worst possible reaction. Proper training and equipment, teamwork, cool heads and a disciplined sense of self-preservation…
MRO and safety expo goes big
Toronto – Acklands-Grainger Inc., a Richmond Hill, ON-based distributor of industrial, safety and fastener products, hosted ‘The Works’, called Canada’s largest maintenance repair and operations (MRO) and safety show, at…
Setting goals for maintenance
This month, we’re taking a break from reporting on the maintenance assessment we are conducting at an Ontario food plant. The plant is still working on the changes we recommended during our previous visit in November. Our next on-site…
Preparing for new regs
Changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario (OHSA) are being introduced this year. Effective July 1, 2014, employers in Ontario must ensure that all their workers and supervisors complete a basic occupational health and safety…
Enhancing the maintenance vision
Walking along the factory floor, I spotted the telltale signs of a water leak: fluid on the floor. “OK Glass, create a work order. Issue description: water pump leak.” That’s a future scenario for a maintenance technician…
Uncorking Savings
The term ‘dry wine’ has a new meaning at Vincor International’s Quebec wine-bottling operation since a change to its the conveyor line eliminated soap-and-water lubrication.
Diagnosing motors with the push of a button
The electronic devices used to test and analyze electric motors and other equipment have become much more powerful than in the past. Yet, in many instances these sophisticated devices have also introduced a high degree of complexity for users,…
Beat the Chain Pain
Wringing full value out of chains is often no more difficult than knowing how to care for them and when. When finesse is not enough, the situation may require moving up to a more suitable chain. Here are some chain tips that you can take to the…
Train operators to listen to the sound of their tools
Problem: We’re having nagging problems with the power tools on our production line. What can we do?
Business Briefs
• Jay Armstrong has been appointed sales manager at Machinery & Equipment MRO, Toronto. He has a degree in Commerce and over 40 years experience in product management and market research, in ad agencies and in sales management. Most…
