Reader response

The solution submitted in the December issue titled "Band Control" is a good idea. US Patent # 4,746,011 was issued to me on May 24, 1988, for this safety problem solution. I'd like to point out that the idea that was submitted had been tried during development, but we found the results were still too chancy and it was difficult to use. I'd hate to see someone get hurt using something they think will protect them.

The patent covered a variety of designs, but what we finally settled on was a piece of moderate weight canvas drop cloth large enough to drape over all four edges of the package. We sewed a piece of light chain into a hem in the perimeter of the cloth. The chain made it easy to throw over a load (like casting a bait net) but still light and not too stiff to handle. The chain kept the cloth from slipping and was very effective at stopping the strap dead. It was considered a safety device and as such was kept stowed always conveniently close to where packages were opened. — Sam McNair

I was very surprised at your December article about data mining as it applies to maintenance. The cost of implementing such a program would far outweigh the cost saving. Such a system is only as good as the data collected and then only as good as the person collecting the data. It's not a good idea to have valuable maintenance men going around collecting all day. It's hard enough making sure the work orders are being done and not being copied from last week's PM's. Besides, any good maintenance manager knows cost, when, and where his downtime is coming from. — Joseph J. Veverka

PLANT ENGINEERING neglected to include the following references with the December article on "Improving Pump Reliability."

1. Bloch, H.P. and Geitner, F.K., An Introduction to Machinery Reliability Assessment, 2nd ed., Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, TX (1994).

2. R. Barry Erickson, Eugene P. Sabini, Anthony Stavale, ITT Industries–Goulds Pumps, Hydraulic Selection to Minimize the Unscheduled Maintenance Portion of Life Cycle Cost, 1998

3. Dr. Lev Nelik, ITT Industries – Goulds Pumps, Bearing Life Extension and Reliability Features of Modern ANSI Pumps, The 2nd International Conference on Improving Reliability in Petroleum Refineries and Chemical and Natural Gas Plants, 1993.