Interest grows in energy education
Renewable energy degree programs are cropping up at universities across the country and interest in them is growing like a field of budding flowers. While the programs won’t be in full bloom for a few more years, they’re taking root throughout the country and are available for students and ...

Maintenance Crisis progress report shows mixed results
Check out these signs of revitalized maintenance.

Recognition, rewards and consequences give an energy program credence
The importance of effective rewards and recognition in a good energy management program can’t be overstated, but they’ll only be effective when they’re supported by the basics.

Web Hunter: Retirement planning
Setting up your funds for retirement is an important issue nearly all of us should be thinking about. Executive Editor Russ Kratowicz offers some free Web resources for you to consider when planning for retirement. Remember, we search the Web so you don't have to.

Motor system reliability considerations that can save you money
One reason motor reliability is important in the industrial sector is the huge costs associated with lost production and downtime. Motor reliability is crucial to equipment operation and smooth-running processes, and an unreliable motor can be costly.

Does it pay to be green?
Now that sustainability as a strategy is coming into fashion, the push is on to expand and intensify the opportunities to save our planet and to publicize these efforts as a demonstration of good corporate citizenship. But is this just a public relations ploy, or can the tactic actually improve ...

Analyze dirt with precision
Automated scanning electron microscopy of particles in lubricants can help you zero in on root causes.

Give us a piece of your mind
Plant Services adds content focused on getting its readers to contribute. Read about the three new ways to share with us (and everybody) what's going on in your head.

What Works: Wireless PCs streamline warehouse operations

CMMS can rank your critical assets
Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Condition-based Monitoring (CBM) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) can be overwhelming. David Berger offers some tips on how to get the most out of these advanced techniques.

Four short steps to maintenance excellence
In a production environment, you want the lines to meet quality goals and standards with just enough maintenance to sustain reliability. In any environment, an asset must provide that reliability and, thus, must be maintained. There are four basic requirements you must have to be successful in ...

The facts about oil-free compressed air
No single process or product is the panacea for producing high-quality compressed air, often just referred to as oil-free compressed air. Ultimately, the key factor is whether the technical solution fulfils the requirements of maximum reliability and efficiency.

For love or money - Acme uncovers a case of predictable disability
An Acme employee claims disability leave for an injury that doesn't exist, after her requested vacation time is denied. Why did she do it? To marry a coworker. Find out the details in this month's In the Trenches and remember, only the names are changed to protect the innocent.

Control valve diagnostics
Health monitoring leaves fewer reasons to live with stiction, wrong-sizing and excessive wear.

What Works: Bearing failures banned in Memphis

Converging software systems offer a competitive edge

CCS system uses gases to treat fine and submicron particulate