Leveraging Existing Knowledge for Maintenance Success

Can you believe it was only a decade ago? Time certainly flies by quickly! Terry O.

• 16-09-2024
• Kelly Hughes

Hey Terry, it's no secret that golf has a long history rooted in tradition. While the equipment and technology may have evolved over time, the core essence of the game remains the same. From wooden clubs to metal ones, blades to cavity backs, and innovative putters, golfers continue to embrace change while staying true to their roots. Despite these advancements, the spirit of the game lives on as players strive for excellence and efficiency. Just like in golf, businesses are constantly adapting and innovating to stay ahead. As I continue on my journey to master reliability, I aim to be the Tiger Woods of my field.

• 17-09-2024
• Bob Smith

I am always amazed at the knowledge I gain from attending maintenance and reliability conferences. Throughout my career, I have been to approximately 30 of these conferences, and have even had the opportunity to speak at most of them. Each time, I walk away with valuable insights and ideas that inspire me, even if they are unrelated to the topic at hand. As an academic now, my motivations for attending may have shifted from my previous experience in fossil power generation, but the networking opportunities and exchange of innovative ideas among attendees make each conference a truly enriching experience. Ray Beebe.

• 17-09-2024
• Tara Anderson

I must apologize, but I feel compelled to share my thoughts on our products this time. While I typically refrain from promoting them unless asked, I believe this is an important exception. Having access to cost-effective and easily understandable data is crucial for making informed decisions. Take a step forward in the last decade by exploring our solution at http://www.vtab.se/pages/eng/product/me72.html. Additionally, check out Sweden's first webshop for Vibe products, which just launched today at http://www.conditech.com/catalog/. Thank you, Olov.

• 17-09-2024
• Laura West

I took a swing at playing golf, but no matter how much I cooked it, the ball was too tough and ended up damaging my tooth. I won't be wasting any more ammunition on this game!

• 17-09-2024
• Chad Cook

Being as reliable as Tiger Woods is a great accomplishment! If you could also reach his level of earnings and have a supermodel wife, you would truly have it all. I found Sam and Ray's points to be insightful as well. I was initially bothered by a vendor's comment about lack of innovation at conferences, linking it to the ongoing search for a silver bullet solution. However, I need to remind myself to stay open to the possibility that advancements in technology can indeed provide breakthrough solutions. None of us have all the answers, and we can always learn something new. - Terry O.

• 17-09-2024
• Simon Ward

Over the past few years, advancements in the vibration field have been significant. From basic global level measurements, we now have access to various possibilities through Fourier analysis and digital signal processing. This includes generating spectrums with multiple resolutions, conducting high-resolution zooms, utilizing cepstrums, amplitude demodulation, numerical filtering, and more. However, despite the wealth of indicators available for creating vibration profiles, a key challenge arises: the increase in acquisition and processing times leading to higher monitoring costs. The current approach involves acquiring time signals for each indicator separately. This means that for a complex multi-speed machine with numerous indicators, the acquisition process needs to be repeated multiple times - resulting in a significant resource drain. A potential solution to this issue could be shifting from the traditional "data collector" model to a more efficient "signal collector" approach. By acquiring correctly sampled timewave signals for a sufficient duration and then utilizing robust post-processing software, it may be possible to streamline the monitoring process. With just one minute of signal acquisition, hundreds of different analyses could potentially be conducted, optimizing both time and resources.

• 17-09-2024
• Ethan Wright

In Europe, I have noticed the same trend - the introduction of portable collectors in 1986 brought minimal advancements in the past 20 years. The next evolution should focus on user-friendly systems that are easy to operate out of the box, with robust software support for troubleshooting. There is a strong need for accessible technical support for challenging issues. Despite the emphasis on results in the US, I believe in storing raw data for further analysis on a PC. This approach is practical and supported by reliable tools and assistance. I foresee comprehensive tool kits for various maintenance tasks becoming more affordable through market demand. Thank you for taking the time to read about my beliefs and goals.Visit www.vibrationsteknik.com for more information.

• 17-09-2024
• George Turner

I have observed two concerning trends in the workforce. Firstly, there is a decline in "mechanical skills" among younger maintenance workers who lack experience. Secondly, many older individuals skilled in manual labor are lacking in "technical expertise." The younger generation shows enthusiasm for embracing new technologies, as long as it doesn't require too much effort. On the other hand, the older workers prefer sticking to traditional methods, even if it means working harder than necessary. While these groups may be outliers, they make up a considerable portion of the workforce. Those who came of age during and after WWII instilled a strong work ethic in their children, who are now beginning to retire. As we move forward, it raises concerns about having enough skilled individuals to handle maintenance tasks despite advancements in technology. It poses the question of whether there will be a sufficient number of capable individuals willing to carry out manual labor in the future.

• 17-09-2024
• Paul Adams

The Next Big Thing in maintenance and reliability lies in striving to significantly contribute to achieving top quartile performance within organizations. Maintenance often accounts for the largest portion of the budget, making it crucial to develop an optimized action plan from the perspective of maintenance and reliability. A friend of mine recently joked about the best recipe for success not only in maintenance and reliability, but across the entire organization. It is essential for maintenance to collaborate with operations, technical departments, materials/contracts, finance, and HR departments, while reliability serves as the cross-functional department that connects all areas of an organization to offer a comprehensive approach to asset management from inception to disposal. Leading organizations are embracing a knowledge-driven culture to remain competitive in the global market, leaving behind those who are content with the status quo. The key components of this successful recipe include reliable physical assets, skilled human resources, and efficient work processes. This vision for success was inspired by a recent dream of mine. Thank you.

• 17-09-2024
• Tiffany Gray

In the ever-evolving field of maintenance and reliability, the 'Boiled Frog' syndrome may lead us to overlook the significant changes that have occurred over the past few decades. Some changes, like the introduction of RCM and TPM, were quite impactful, while others, such as the integration of PC power into various tools like cameras and vibration probes, were more gradual. Gone are the days of waiting a week for vibe tape analysis; now, we have real-time data analysis at our fingertips. The advancements in technology, such as fibre-optic scopes and ultrasonic devices with PC enhancements, have revolutionized data recording and tracking, making it easier to detect and predict issues. The CBM industry is flourishing, a far cry from what it was 40 years ago. The ability to transmit data for remote analysis over the internet is now commonplace, a concept that was once only in the realm of imagination. With ERM/EAM systems, business performance is more transparent, shifting the focus from physical effort to overall performance. Maintenance practices have also evolved, with tools like on-line Relief Valve testing and bolt-tensioning becoming standard procedures. The emphasis now is on utilizing both the hands and brains of maintainers, acknowledging the importance of human reliability. In the midst of all these changes, it is important to remember that not every change is necessary; what works well should be retained. V.Narayan reflects on these changes to provide a perspective on the evolution of maintenance practices.

• 17-09-2024
• Xavier Morris

In my opinion, the issue at hand stems from the multitude of interpretations of the same religious concept being presented. The maintenance community has developed a specialized 'maintenance speak' (such as RCM language) that may be challenging for non-experts to understand, much like computer programming jargon. It is essential to remember that technologies and programs are tools that need to be tailored to specific situations. Despite some technologies not advancing significantly over the years, their continued relevance highlights their importance. Even older technologies require ongoing research and simplified explanations for use with new systems. While the core concepts may remain unchanged, advancements have been made in execution methods. Educating new professionals on the available tools and capturing the knowledge of retiring maintenance experts are crucial for industry success. Despite insulation-to-ground testing being a century-old practice, there is a growing need for guidance on how to perform this seemingly straightforward task. It is time to refocus on foundational principles.

• 17-09-2024
• Quentin Foster