Issue Archive

Advanced failure analysis methodologies and techniques
Use these advanced failure analysis methodologies, such as failure mode and effects analysis, realibility-centered maintenenance and root cause analysis to manage your risk, says David Berger in his monthly Asset Manager column.

Set your plant up with zero-backlog maintenance
Zero-backlog maintenance is in your future. It’s the state of optimal reliability in which more than 80% of work is proactive. It identifies and schedules the right work at the right time far into the future.

2007 CMMS/EAM Software Review
Incremental gains in CMMS features and functions have made many packages better at handling the myriad and specialized requirements of particular industries and facilities. But the big news has been the plethora of vendor mergers and acquisitions, which have left plant professionals concerned ...

Uniform job standards aim at defining the profession
The European Federation of National Maintenance Societies (EFNMS) is finalizing standardized job classifications for maintenance manager, maintenance supervisor and maintenance technician in 21 European countries. Should the U.S. follow suit?

Modern VSDs are more capable than ever
The goal of a variable-speed drive (VSD) is to modulate motor speed to reduce power demand and generate energy savings. Drive options constantly change, and how you match motor and drive affects system efficiency. Understanding the VSD’s effect on speed and resonant frequencies can reduce a ...

How much is U.S. critical infrastructure worth to you?
If you’ve ever wondered just how secure your plant might be or if you’ve implemented the right level of security measures, then the Web-based infrastructure protection training program offered at no cost by the federal government is for you.

Warm and toasty
Peruse these web resources for optimizing your heat tracing systems.

Germany, Denmark and China offer lessons on managing energy
With the increasing concerns about climate change and the globalization of the energy market, management needs to be more aware of the interacting drivers of energy availability, cost and environmental regulation. Peter Garforth, P. Eng., shares his experiences traveling across the globe in his ...

Play to your strengths
You'll reap the best results if you put yourself and your employees in positions where they can best utilize their strengths, says Editor in Chief Paul Studebaker.

Convenient online analysis facilitates predictive maintenance
Users of motor performance montiors from Baker Instrument Co. were intereviewed about the results of their experiences. Read about how these monitors performed.

Cyber security is a team effort
Originally, industrial control systems were physically and electronically-isolated systems that used proprietary operating systems, and obscurity generally provided the cyber security. However, a confluence of technical developments, governmental mandates and productivity requirements have led to...

In the Trenches: Acme has much to learn about dealing with a terrorism hoax
Acme accuses and eventually fires an employee for engineering a terrorist hoax against the company based on scant evidence. The employee sues. Read about the details and remember, only the names are changed to protect the innocent.

Why it’s time to move beyond inlet valve modulation for compressor control
The type of compressor capacity control you use and the related pressure settings you select are critical to your overall compressed air system efficiency.

Epoxy topping system cut cost by reducing downtime
As plant flooring ages and deteriorates, facility managers have traditionally been faced with a tough choice: Interrupt production to resurface potentially hazardous patches, or apply a quick fix and hope for the best. Recent innovations in coatings can help plant managers achieve quality results...

What Works: Safety equipment maker’s new floors reflect its commitment to quality control

Hydraulic Institute chooses its Member of the Year