The Global Forum on Maintenance and Asset Management (GFMAM) has worked with the major bodies (SMRP, PEMAC, IAM, etc.) to achieve a consensus on the major subjects within asset management.

These subjects are intended to describe the complete scope of topics within asset management. You can download the GFMAM guide for free here. It is important that anyone who wishes to understand asset management has an understanding of each of these topics, and hopefully some experience in each. [Read more…]

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Non-destructive Testing of Welds

Non-destructive testing of welds. Welding processes and methods can introduce contaminants and metallurgical defects into the weld. If a weld is required to withstand severe loading conditions and stresses it is critical to insure its quality meets minimum standards. Welds can be tested by destructive and non-destructive techniques. Most production is tested by use of non-destructive methods. The most common non-destructive tests to check welds are Visual Inspection, Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, Acoustic Emission and Radiography. Keywords: NDT, quality control, non-conformance, verification, weld procedure. [Read more…]

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The 7 Requirements of an Asset Management System

Understanding the Requirements of the ISO 55001 Standard

When looking through the ISO 55001 standard, one may quickly become overwhelmed with the requirements.

The ISO 55001 standard was written in a way that groups the requirements, making it easier to understand & implement the standard.

This is different that subjects found in asset management (which we will discuss next week). These are the requirements that must be met if one to certify themselves against the ISO 55001 standard. [Read more…]

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Electric Motor Variable Speed Drives Operation

Electric motor variable speed drives operation. Alternating current electric motor speeds can be changed by the use of a frequency converter. This device changes the frequency of the alternating current to the motor. This then changes the rotating speed of the motor’s internal magnetic field. The speed of the rotor responds accordingly and so allows for variable speed control of connected items. When these devices are used there are several issues that need to be addressed to insure successful selection and long-term operation. Keywords: VSD, precise speed control, over- speed, motor controller, frequency inverter. [Read more…]

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Getting Value From Your Condition Based Maintenance Program

I’m talking on the phone with a client who has been slowly but deliberately getting their maintenance organization up to speed with items they internally identified as “critical gaps” in need to improve equipment reliability. [Read more…]

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The Key 3 Asset Management Documents

Understanding these asset management documents will set the stage for an asset management program.

Aligning an organization is a critical step to implementing and ensuring the success of an asset management system. Various change management techniques will be used to bring about the change, but how do you ensure the message, direction, and principles of the asset management program are communicated consistently and clearly? [Read more…]

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Work Within The Design Limits

Work within the design limits – Once equipment or a process is allowed to run outside it’s design limits it will fail quickly. The only way to get long-lived, well operating plant and equipment is to keep its individual components working within their service limits throughout their life. Keywords: training manual, procedures, operator manual. [Read more…]

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Making Asset Management Work

Understanding the Concepts and Principles of Asset Management

In order to implement an asset management system, it is vital to understand what is involved in an asset management system. The aspects involved have been tested over time through many different industries. These industries have proven to be what it takes to be successful.

So let’s see what it takes to be successful in asset management. [Read more…]

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Plant compressed air waste control

Plant compressed air waste control. Every compressed air system will eventually develop leaks from connectors and redundant pipelines. Compressed air is very expensive to make. It is necessary to institute regular inspections for air leaks and fix them immediately.

Keywords: pressure loss, energy loss, air compressor, pressure switch. [Read more…]

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10 Things I Can Do Today To Improve Equipment Reliability!

As companies around the globe look to improve equipment reliability I can’t help but think of the Technicians and Craftspeople I meet after a conference presentation. As they step up to introduce themselves to comment on the presentation some will often say “I really liked your presentation but I don’t think our management would ever support a program like this. What you are doing makes a lot of sense but we just don’t have the people and our operations managers don’t understand maintenance and reliability.” [Read more…]

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Why Do You Need An Asset Management Program?

Understanding the Business Benefits of an Asset Management Program

Have you tried to upgrade / replace a piece of equipment due to the high cost of maintenance? What about having the process stopped by procurement because they are not aligned with the high upfront cost?

While there is a generally a common goal of ensuring the long-term success of an organization, the approach is not always cohesive. An asset management program is there to ensure an integrated and cohesive approach is in place. This cohesive approach ensures the organization is working towards a common goal. [Read more…]

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Metering & Dosing Pump Operations

Metering and dosing pump operation. Any positive displacement pump can be used as a metering or dosing pump. The purpose of these pumps is to inject a known volume of liquid into a process stream. The primary requirement is that over a given period of time the pump consistently delivers the same amount of liquid. Keyword: gear pump, piston pump, helical rotor pump, diaphragm pump, peristaltic (hose) pump, additive, dosing rate. [Read more…]

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What is Asset Management?

Understanding the Value of an Asset Management System

All stakeholders have different perspectives, and as a result, place value on different aspects of an asset. Trying to balance all the requirements is not an easy task. Whether the requirements are performance, cost, or the level of risk. Keep in mind, that performance can not only be uptime or OEE, but the beauty of a park, or the condition of a road. This is where asset management comes in. [Read more…]

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Is Your Wet Scrubbing Tower Working?

Is your scrubbing tower working? A wet scrubbing tower is used to clean odors, particles, mists and vapours from a gas stream. The gas is forced through the tower. As it moves from inlet to outlet it is washed and cleaned. The washing is done with suitable chemicals that remove the active components in the gas flow. The gas is cleaned to environmentally acceptable levels and discharged to atmosphere. Keywords: packed tower, packing, fill, mist eliminator. [Read more…]

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10 Things Your Equipment Operators Can Do Today To Improve Reliability

I have always believed that the equipment that makes your products and the operators who operate it are the most valuable assets you have. From the Janitorial Serves to the CEO, unless you are manufacturing product and putting it out the door, you are overhead – just another additional cost that must be included in the cost of our product. [Read more…]