Features
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What’s Up Doug? What is the “right” clearance for an electric motor bearing?
From the day I started in the industry in the 1980s, it has been said that “C3” (greater than normal) is the standard clearance for deep groove ball bearings in electric motors. But why is this so? The deep groove…
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How a mechanic masters reliability engineering
“Certain people are drawn to reliability because they have a passion for doing things the right way or doing things in an optimal way,” says Jeff Smith.
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Domtar’s award-winning Windsor mill examines the sources of error
A worker is tasked to cut some failed bolts on a pressure vessel door. In the process, he cuts his finger and takes five stiches. An investigation determines that this accident was just waiting to happen. In a new approach…
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Tip: Simple, on-site fluid analysis techniques
The benefits of condition monitoring through fluid analysis can make the difference between maximizing your oil change-out intervals and making a call on whether your equipment is fit for service. Regular fluid analysis will detect the ingress of dirt, water,…
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Keeping customers stocked with parts is a balancing act
How hard can it be to be a parts supplier? Draw up spares lists with customers, order a year’s worth at a time, ship some to be stocked on site and hold onto the rest to be doled out as…
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Extending the service life of a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker
ABB will modernize a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, installing the latest hardware and software onboard the 38 year old Pierre Radisson. As part of the complete upgrade to the ship’s power distribution system, eight new drives will also be installed.…
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How the CMMS impacts production line maintenance
Computerized Maintenance Management System or CMMS is a software solution that helps the maintenance team keep a record of all the assets in the company that they are responsible for. With the CMMS system, one can track and schedule maintenance…
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Vibration-based condition monitoring in anti-friction bearings
The rotors in rotating machines are supported through anti-friction ball or roller bearings in many cases. Fault in such bearings always develop during machine operation and their early detection is important so that remedial and maintenance action can be taken…
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A maintenance manager with a winning mindset delivers on his game plan
Philip Lawlor made a plucky move when he applied for the 2015 PEM Maintenance Award. As a relatively new hire at Canam Group Inc.’s Mississauga, Ont. plant, the maintenance manager and his team of six craftsmen and one supervisor would…
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Power operating facility stronger, safer in five years since Fukushima
Friday March 11, 2016 marked the fifth anniversary of the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan and damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. Although the facility withstood the 9.0 magnitude earthquake as per its design, a tsunami washed out…
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Forbes announces Canada’s Best Employers list of 2016
Statista, one of the leading statistics companies on the internet, announced the launch of Canada’s Best Employers list in partnership with Forbes. Canada’s five best employers are BC Hydro, Vancity, ABB, Ubisoft, and Costco. Statista conducted an extensive survey to…
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Bird poop apparently caused NY nuclear reactor outage
Albany, N.Y. – Bird poop was the likely cause of a December shutdown at a nuclear power plant outside New York City, according to the operator. An Indian Point reactor safely shut down for three days starting Dec. 14 following…
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Posital and the University4Industry offer practical education on road to Industry 4.0
POSITAL-FRABA, an enthusiastic proponent of the use of information-based technologies to improve industrial productivity, is announcing its support for University4Industry. University4Industry is an exciting new startup that aims to provide individuals and companies with opportunities to learn about the knowledge-…
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Whitepaper on “Industry 4.0” available from Rittal
A newly published whitepaper from Rittal shows why IT plays a key role in Industry 4.0 and explains how companies can establish the infrastructure needed. In this document, decision-makers, as well as those responsible for production and IT, can learn…
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PTDA Foundation accepting nominations for 2016 Wendy B. McDonald Award
Chicago, Ill. – The PTDA Foundation’s Wendy B. McDonald Award recognizes a woman who has established herself as a critical contributor to her company’s success and has affected positive change within the power transmission/motion control industry. The PTDA Foundation established…
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Industrial gear units manufacturer performs overhaul on largest gear unit in its history
Finland – In 2015, Santasalo performed an overhaul on the largest gear unit in its history, carried out at the company’s facility in Jyväskylä, Finland. The overhaul was carried out on the main gear unit of a steel smelting converter…
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Predictive Maintenance 4.0
Hannover – Repairing machinery parts after a failure has occurred is so yesterday. Nowadays, thanks to advanced sensor technology and intelligent data analysis systems, it is possible to predict failures and undertake maintenance before they happen. In today’s rapidly emerging…
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Women in reliability & asset management
Toronto – After taking a communications class last year, Maura Abad was motivated to execute a plan inspired by her employer. On a flight back to Fort Myers, Florida, she created a PowerPoint presentation outlining the need and the objectives for…
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Drive and motor solution cuts extruder energy usage by 9%
The prospect of improved energy efficiency, increased operational reliability and lower maintenance costs appeals to any business. It was these three factors which ensured Emerson was able to help Stål & Plast, a Danish extrusion specialist, improve its production processes…
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Idea Watch: Industry 4.0 finds increasing application in production
Germany – The implementation of Industry 4.0 is an ongoing process that involves challenges, but also offers great potential for the automation industry – Festo recognized this at an early stage. The key elements of industrial digitalization are the individual…
