News

Many organizations feel that if they can move from reactive to preventive maintenance they are headed on the right path, and that this in turn means they are on the road to proactive maintenance. However, as has been demonstrated by many studies, in excess of 80 percent of all failures are random. Therefore, time-based preventive maintenance (PM) programs will not be effective because you will, in most cases, be doing too much work too soon or too little work too late.

Over the past few decades, the demands placed on maintenance have been changing. In leading companies today maintenance is no longer viewed as a cost center, but rather is expected to contribute to the strategic goals of the company. In today

A very important part of a cost-effective preventive maintenance program is what I call the route-based activity. These are activities that are easiest to do, and to administer, if they are presented in a list. This list can be presented in electronic format or in a paper format and includes such activities as lubrication and inspections by maintenance craftspeople and equipment operators. There are two major things that surprise me regarding these basic preventive maintenance activities:

With the very good return on investment (ROI) you get from these programs, I am surprised at how many plants lack these programs or perform them very poorly.
All major computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) lack the capability to administer these routes in an efficient manner.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT. We use cost avoidance analysis as a tool to measure the return on investment (ROI) from route-based activity programs (exclusive of lubrication). In the last year we have verified the ROI to be between five to 10 times the initial investment and, after that, 10 to 30 times the cost to run the program. Even if such a good ROI can be verified, the inspection program is very poor in most plants and, if one exists, it is not executed with the highest priority.

Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) SHORTCOMINGS. All CMMS providers we talk with say their systems can produce inspection lists to support inspection and lubrication routes. We must understand that, in the computer world, the answer is always, "Yes, our system can do that.

Standard IRt/c

A novel, high performance, non-contact temperature sensor system has been launched, which not only boasts a temperature range from

Compressed air drying is a decisive factor for the process reliability in the production and for the operational reliability in compressed-air systems. Therefore, BEKO has offered a comprehensive program regarding compressed-air drying for many years. Amongst others, the cold-regenerated Drypoint AC adsorption dryers for volume flows up to 1500 m3/h are highly regarded. However, for some compressed-air users, this is not enough. With the heat-regenerated BEKO Everdry adsorption dryers for volume flows up to 20,000 m3/h (and more), Beko offers standardised system solutions for compressed-air drying on a grand scale.

Norbar Torque Tools played a pivotal role in the successful installation of a new natural gas pipeline running from Mozambique to South Africa.

Torque Tool (Pty) Ltd, the Southern African representative for Norbar, was asked to supply a 9,500Nm pneumatic torque wrench

Ideal for short term or routine applications such as industrial shutdowns, the new Draeger X-am 1100 Personal Air Monitor provides up to 120-days detection of explosive gases and vapours, including diesel fumes, as well as oxygen (O2), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S).  Offering a cost effective, more convenient alternative to a rental device, this lightweight instrument eliminates the problems often associated with damage or loss and can simply be disposed of after use.

Completely maintenance-free and no larger than a mobile phone, the pre-calibrated X-am 1100 is easy to use.  Designed for intuitive operation and featuring a practical two-key control panel and straightforward menu guidance system, it also benefits from a large liquid crystal display which provides all readings at a glance.

Incorporating the latest miniaturised XXS generation of powerful electrochemical DraegerSensors, the inclusion of a catalytic Ex sensor, calibrated to methane, also means that it can provide improved safety when facing unknown hazards. 

Watkins Hire Ltd are proud to announce the launch of their brand new air conditioning hire range called KwikCOOL(tm)
 
We have recognised the market place for high quality and high output air conditioning equipment. This range of air conditioning units reflects that need and will meet the varied range of applications. These will include comfort cooling, corporate and public events, equipment cooling, server rooms, manufacturing, exhibitions, sports Halls, storage, retail and education. This is a brief list and is not exhaustive, in fact where-ever cool air is needed these units will be of value. 

Extensive field tests have proven these units to be reliable and consistent. The quiet operation with simple controls make these air conditioning units 'User Friendly'.

ICS Cool Energy has acquired Tricool Engineering as part of its strategy to increase market penetration and expand its temperature controlled products and services to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Established in 1978, Tricool Engineering has grown to become the UK

Byworth Boilers are aware that boiler users are increasingly suffering from rising fuel bills, and with this in mind the boiler manufacturer embarked on a 2 year project in conjunction with Leeds University.  The brief was, by rigorous testing, to ascertain and prove the optimum configuration of shell, furnace, and tubes for maximum boiler efficiency and low emissions. 

The project almost came to an early close when on testing the existing Byworth Yorkshireman range of boilers, it was found that efficiency results for this range were actually higher than previously claimed and better than similar boilers available.  However, rather than resting on laurels, the company persevered with the research which has culminated in the launch of the Yorkshireman2 boiler range.