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Operations & Maintenance

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Focus on Maintenance Tools

| By Gerald Ondrey

Improve schedule compliance and first-time fix rate

Last December, this company added MyAssets toolset to its MyEmerson personalized digital experience to help users execute their maintenance plans more effectively. As part of the MyEmerson digital tools portfolio launched last year to improve productivity and collaboration, MyAssets provides instant access to device documentation, replacements, spares and walkdown reports to help plant personnel better maintain and manage the useful life of their devices. For maintenance planners, MyAssets improves schedule compliance with a single location for device information, technical documentation, spare and replacement part details and lifecycle status condition. Easy access to curated, relevant device content enables faster creation of work packets, reducing time from hours to minutes. Digital walkdown reports provide detailed analyses of a site’s device conditions — regardless of manufacturer — and prioritized recommendations for next steps, guiding faster and more predictable shutdowns, turnarounds and outages. — Emerson, St. Louis, Mo.

www.emerson.com

Align most standard machines with this laser-based system

The ShaftAlign Touch laser alignment system (photo) is a digital solution that exceeds the capabilities of conventional tools and delivers greater speed and accuracy. The user-friendly system combines single-laser technology with Active Situational Intelligence to empower teams of varying experience levels to align most any asset with new levels of precision and speed. The company’s Adaptive Alignment systems, such as the ShaftAlign Touch, automatically eliminate user errors and low-quality measurement points by adapting to the asset, the alignment situation, and the technician who is performing the job. Cloud-compatible software allows newer technicians to share measurements with more experienced colleagues or consultants — inside the plant or across the globe — to complete a job. — Prüftechnik, a division of Fluke Reliability, Ismaning, Germany

www.pruftechnik.com

Global partnership for digital maintenance

Last March, this company and Evora IT Solutions (Walldorf, Germany) announced a global solution and technology partnership. Both companies complement their own offerings by combining mobile hardware and software solutions for digital maintenance in the specialized, demanding industrial sector. In a first software/hardware pilot project, a joint major chemical customer of the two companies is already successfully using this company’s IS930.RG tablet (photo) for SAP-supported maintenance processes. Both companies will be able to offer their global users the added value of the combined integration of solutions/software and hardware for Ex or rugged industrial use. — i.safe Mobile GmbH, Lauda-Koenigshofen, Germany

www.isafe-mobile.com

Improved robot fleet management with CBM

This company’s new condition-based maintenance (CBM) service enables robot users to create a preventive maintenance schedule for individual or robot fleets based on real-time operational data to optimize productivity and minimize downtime (photo). CBM uses real-time data on robot operations to help identify any potential issues that could affect performance, including duty, speed, acceleration and gearbox wear. These variables are compared against other robots in the company’s worldwide robot database to calculate the likelihood and timeframe of a potential fault or failure. Aimed at users with large fleets of robots, this CBM tool can advise whether remedial action is required, involving either repair or replacement of affected parts. By identifying which parts are likely to fail and when, spare parts can be purchased and prepared without having to hold them in stock, helping users to plan their budgets and ensure that resources are available to carry out the work when required. — ABB, Zurich, Switzerland

www.abb.com

This detergent breaks down fats and other organic soils

Pure-OX FOAM (photo) is a peroxide-based foaming detergent specifically formulated for tough organic soils on equipment or floors, walls, ceilings, shelves and other surfaces within food-processing environments. With the self-foaming characteristics of peroxide, Pure-OX FOAM provides cleaning power and convenience in a single package. Once the powerful oxidation reaction is complete, the degradation products are oxygen and water, so Pure-OX FOAM will not add salt or conductivity to water discharge, nor will it impact wastewater pretreatment operations, says the manufacturer. Ideal for foam cleaning, it readily breaks down proteins, fats, greases, oils and other organic soils found in food-and-beverage processing facilities, especially dairy, poultry, wine, meat processing and more. All ingredients in Pure-OX FOAM are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or have prior-sanctioned U.S. Food and Drug Admin. (FDA) approval for direct or indirect incidental food contact. — Madison Chemical Co., Inc., Madison, Ind.

www.madchem.com

‘Green’ cleaner removes organic stains from concrete

In December, this company introduced a new addition to its line of MCI cleaners for concrete. MCI-2062 is a biological-based surface cleaner similar to MCI-2061. Both MCI cleaners make use of the natural abilities of microorganisms to biodegrade their target waste substances effectively without the use of harsh acidic or alkaline products. However, where MCI-2061 focuses on the critical task of digesting hydrocarbon stains, MCI-2062 targets stains from organic wastes, proteins, fats, greases and starches. It is therefore particularly suited to concrete heavily soiled by organic wastes in and around dumpsters, restrooms and food processing facilities (photo). MCI-2062 is a multipurpose concentrated bio-enzymatic blend formulated for general cleaning on a variety of surfaces. It combines powerful cleaning chemistry with free enzymes and microorganisms capable of biodegrading a wide range of organic waste in order to leave facilities clean and odor-free. — Cortec Corp., St. Paul, Minn.

www.cortecvci.com

Predictive monitoring for pump and mixer maintenance

This company’s Risk-Mitigation System (RMS) monitor (photo) provides continuous indication of potential problems with pumps and mixers. Predictive information supplied by the monitor enables users to address issues before mechanical failure occurs, reducing the risk of equipment damage and unplanned downtime. Attached to a pump or mixer, the system tracks temperature and vibrations and issues alerts if it detects any unusual changes. The RMS monitor can also be programmed to watch for other potential hazards, such as leakage and cavitation. In this manner, costly mechanical failures involving bearings, seals and other components can be avoided. With cellular network connectivity, the RMS monitor requires no wiring. Components and sensors are housed in a single, compact unit protected by a robust rubber enclosure. — Hayward Gordon Group, Halton Hills, Calif.

www.haywardgordongroup.com

Digital products support businesses of all sizes

More and more small and medium-sized companies are using company-owned mobile devices. In addition to serving as communication tools, they can also be used as digital hubs or for lone worker protection. In doing so, smartphones and tablets are issued not only within a single location, but worldwide. The management of the increasingly large number of devices is therefore often associated with great effort. For these companies, a mobile device management (MDM) system must above all be easy to implement and require little time in daily use. The MDM solution developed by this company (photo) is suitable for large and small companies alike. It is an instant-on solution that can be implemented without major IT effort. This makes the administration of mobile devices within a company more efficient and secure. Setting up, managing, tracking and configuring the devices can be done from a central platform with a single click, without the IT department, to take control of every single device and set them up individually. This saves resources and time without having to renounce a unified and secure infrastructure. Device setup is highly efficient, using standard jobs and policies. — ECOM Instruments GmbH, a Pepperl+Fuchs brand, Assamstadt, Germany

www.ecom-ex.com

Enhanced calibrator maintenance with more options

This company has introduced enhancements to its Care Plan equipment-maintenance solution to provide users with additional flexibility when selecting a solution to meet their unique needs. Care Plan offers an easy way for users to maintain the accuracy and reliability of their calibration equipment throughout its lifetime. With a Care Plan in place, users can ensure that the metrological traceability of their critical calibration equipment is maintained with periodic recalibrations. They also benefit from the assurance that necessary maintenance and repairs will be covered by this company. The new enhancements make purchasing a Care Plan easier, with new fixed-price options now available. For added flexibility, in addition to the existing three-year plan, users can also purchase their plan annually. — Beamex, Inc., Marietta, Ga.

www.beamex.com

OPEX-based model contributes to IIoT implementation

Last November, this company introduced “Wi-care as a service.” This makes the industrial service provider the first organization to offer wireless vibration-monitoring as an operating expenditure (OPEX) solution. With the new service, the company aims to make it easier for firms to implement Industry 4.0 and the internet of things (IIoT). Within Wi-care as a service, data plays a key role. In the first instance, it helps organizations select a data collection method that is optimal for them. Data analysts then turn the data into useable information and key performance indicators (KPIs), which users themselves can consult on a visual dashboard. The implementation of wireless monitoring has seen many obstacles, including the need for capital, the adjustment to infrastructure and upgrades to the most recent technology. In addition, the monitoring of services, the reliability of surveillance equipment, as well as the quality of analysis and service provision bring with them the usual challenges. By virtue of the OPEX model, this service is not only reliable but also easy to scale up, says the company. — I-care, Mons, Belgium

www.icareweb.com

Coding complexity removed for APM software

Coding challenges faced by operators implementing asset performance management (APM) software are to be significantly reduced or even removed, according to this company. The latest update to its APM software, AllAssets, is said to help drive efficiencies and cost savings, mitigate risk and simplify implementation. By using a low-code strategy, the company aims to empower companies to take control over their APM program and reduce the burden of deploying the resources needed to optimize operations and maintenance. Low code removes the need for operators to pay to adapt software to their requirements and the need for outsourced technical expertise to implement it. The approach emphasizes shifting the power from the technology provider to the user, making software, such as APM platforms, much more straightforward and systematic and less time-intensive not only to implement but to update in line with constantly changing business and regulatory requirements. Adopting a risk-based approach using APM software can help operators of all sizes adapt to the new working conditions brought on by COVID-19. By optimizing the maintenance schedule, staff will only be required on-site when it is absolutely necessary, helping to reduce their exposure. — Lloyd’s Register Group Ltd., London, U.K.

www.lr.org