Articles

By Using Vibration Response to a Soft Foot Defect With Associated DCS Process Data to Illustrate Why Improved Operation Practice Is Essential for Mechanical Reliability - Part 1

Case Study, Part 1

This case study demonstrates how vibration and distributed control systems (DCS) process data can extend a soft foot defect to improve operations beyond mechanical reliability.

asset condition management

What a Maturing Condition Monitoring Program Really Looks Like

Not all condition monitoring programs are created equal. Some evolve by expanding coverage, sharpening insight, and empowering technicians to drive reliability. Others plateau, stuck in route-based routines while teams are stretched thinner than ever.The difference comes down to one choice: do you allow your program to plateau, or do you build it to mature?

work execution management

Mastering Work Management for Reliability Excellence

Although work management is a cornerstone of world-class maintenance and reliability programs, many organizations still struggle with reactive work, high costs, and uncontrolled backlogs. This article demystifies the six essential elements of work management, offering a practical, computerized maintenance management system-based road map aligned with the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP) Body of Knowledge.

asset management

Understanding the Role of Inflation and Interest Rates in Lifecycle Cost Analysis

With any piece of equipment, there’s a lifecycle cost (LCC), which is the total cost incurred over its entire lifespan, encompassing purchase, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Calculating LCC requires a systematic approach to identify and quantify all elements of the LCC equation.

leadership for reliability

Maintenance: From Necessary Expense to Added Value in the Industrial Era

The history of industrial maintenance is closely linked to the evolution of industry itself. From its beginnings in the Industrial Revolution, when the need to repair and maintain nascent machinery led to the training of specialized technical personnel, to the present day, maintenance has gone through various stages and transformations.

asset management

From Uptime to Upstream Impact: Reframing Asset Performance Management as a Sustainability Imperative

Asset performance management (APM) is rapidly transforming from a technical operations function to a strategic imperative for sustainable industrial growth. As companies face intensifying pressure from climate regulations, environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations, and market demands for transparency, APM has emerged as a practical and powerful enabler of emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and lifecycle optimization.

reliability engineering for maintenance

Optimizing Spare Parts Management for Modern Manufacturing: A Dynamic Approach

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing landscape, managing spare parts inventories efficiently is critical to ensuring uninterrupted production. As industries strive to maintain the delicate balance between stocking adequate spare parts and controlling costs, traditional methods often fall short in addressing the dynamic demands of modern manufacturing.

asset condition management

Condition Monitoring with a Digital Camera

The oil and gas industry has become critical for sustained operations and long-term asset reliability. When it comes to condition monitoring, expensive technologies, extensive training, and years of development often come to mind, especially regarding rotating equipment. Tools, such as vibration spectrum analysis, thermal imaging, oil lubrication analysis, and motor current analysis, provide valuable snapshots in time and have been useful in practice for quite some time.

reliability engineering for maintenance

Beyond the Bellows: How One Root Cause Failure Analysis Sparked Cultural Transformation in Refinery Reliability

Sometimes, technical problems are symptoms of deeper cultural and operational issues. This article explores how a deep dive into recurring fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) expansion joint failures led to far-reaching insights, not just about metallurgy and maintenance, but about a refinery's decision-making, communications and reliability culture. It’s a case where the root cause wasn’t just in the metal, but in the mindset.