Features
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Care, Custody and Control
The hand off to and from operations. Transitioning an asset between operations and maintenance is an often-overlooked risk. This has been a point of failure in most industries I have been involved with regardless of mobile or stationary equipment. This…
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Environmental Footprint of Maintenance
Maintenance activities have a direct effect on the environment that surrounds the facility where they are executed. There are three aspects in which maintenance strategies contribute to a facility footprint in the environment: resources needed, efficiency of the equipment, and…
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Maintenance Fundamentals
Manufacturing plants need to get back to the basic fundamentals of maintenance. In recent articles I mentioned how manufacturing plants need to get back to the basics of maintenance. We are all spending time doing root cause analysis, equipment liability…
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Maintenance Schedules
Creating a schedule that increases productivity. There are different maintenance schedules, each with a different purpose. The yearly schedule is about budgets, projects, and contractors (if any). The monthly schedule is about keeping up with preventive maintenance. Jumping ahead, the…
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Automated Grease Systems
A selection guide reviewing the merits of system type relative to single- and dual-line parallel systems. No matter what the type of equipment or its function, system designers are faced with choices at the onset of any project. Take as…
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In alignment: Troubleshooting rotating equipment alignment problems
Misalignment of machine shaft centrelines cause up to 50 per cent of machine vibration problems and are the result of two common conditions. Parallel offset misalignment is a condition where the centrelines of the two shafts do not meet, whereas…
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Workflows and Swim Lanes
A structured work order process keeps us going with the current. About 20 years ago, while I was helping a car parts manufacturer north of Ottawa with its maintenance software, I realized they were missing something fundamental in the way…
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Heavy Industry Lubrication
Slow-moving bearings in tough environments face unique greasing challenges. In Canada’s tough climate, “heavy industry” generally uses large, slow-moving bearings for big and dirty equipment. Tough environments do not only mean dirty and wet, but also cold (-40˚C) in the…
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Retirement Day – Developing asset renewal strategies
Industry tends to stick with ingrained misconceptions on asset renewals. Commonly held statements, such as “haul trucks last 20 years” or “plants are designed for a 30-year lifespan” persist. But misconceptions pose risks. A renewal program enables an organization to manage the final lifecycle phase of assets in a proactive way
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Machine learning technology make legacy assets smarter
Automate machine learning by creating a data pipeline from legacy equipment.
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Allow maintenance to break schedules and watch productivity increase
Why maintenance completes more work when it starts with the right goal.
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In good health – innovative applications for machine-learning tools
The application of machine-learning techniques is far-reaching. One industrial engineer takes asset performance improvement services off the beaten path.
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MRO Supply Chain – using digitalization to streamline processes and decision-making
Sada Haque says that the journey to become pioneers in our business objectives will greatly depend upon data-driven strategies, rather than gut feelings.
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Data as a practical problem solver
Maintenance optimization and reliability engineering in the age of digitalization.
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What’s Up Doug? A seal that prevents ingress into bearings in harsh environments
Taconite seals could be the standard for severe duty service in pulleys.
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The role of reactive maintenance in your overall maintenance strategy
When it comes to choosing a maintenance strategy for your assets, it would be somewhat myopic to assume a rigid one-size-fits-all approach. Historically, businesses have relied more on reactive maintenance (also called run-to-failure or breakdown maintenance). However, to keep up…
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Three causes of gearbox failure
In large gear reducers, parts – such as bearings and gears – can be pricey. Understanding gearbox failures can help mitigate downtime.
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Mass customization gives materials handling factory an edge
Forklift manufacturer and materials handling solutions provider Combilift officially opened its global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Monaghan, Ireland, to customers, media and dignitaries, including Kevin Vickers, Ambassador of Canada. Celebrating two decades in business, the privately held firm has…
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Same same but different – Mining equipment reliability and maintenance
In a quest for success, mines apply every advanced total equipment reliability maintenance or asset performance management program available.
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Canadian oil and gas sector battles in the shadow of the United States
Lower prices range, high volatility and increased competition for markets are hurdles for the oil and gas industry.
