Read the latest entries to each of Plant Engineering's blogs.
Lachance on CMMS is about current maintenance topics. Blogger Paul Lachance is president and chief technology officer for Smartware Group. Lachance has been developing and perfecting the company’s CMMS solution for the maintenance professional for 18 years.
Marshall on Maintenance is provided by the Marshall Institute, an asset management consulting and training company dedicated to helping companies improve the maintenance contribution to their organizational performance.
Machine Safety is J.B. Titus's blog in which he discusses machine guarding topics, including solutions assessments, regulatory compliance, gap analysis, operating efficiencies and cost savings, as well as all relevant safety standards, such as those from NFPA, ANSI, RIA, IEC, ISO and OSHA.
Research Analyst blogs are provided by IMS Research, recently acquired by IHS Inc., leading independent supplier of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry. These analyst blogs discuss hot topics in the following industries: Automotive + Transport, Communications + Wireless, Consumer Electronics, Displays, Factory Automation, Financial + ID Technologies, Lighting + LEDs, Power + Energy, Security + Fire, and Semiconductors.
Lachance on CMMS
A good CMMS system can deliver the information users need to better fine-tune their PM schedules. If a less-rigorous PM schedule gets the maintenance team slapped with a corrective work order, it’s... » more
Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software package schedules maintenance checks, captures data from work orders, issues reports for various scenarios to decisions on capital budgets,... » more
If you want to score points with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) auditor next time he pays a surprise visit to inspect your plant, show him an on-demand preventive... » more
CMMS is an answer to a prayer. Finally every piece of equipment, every spare part, every outside maintenance contractor, invoice, leasing agreement…essentially any maintenance-related document... » more
U.S. manufacturing has been making a comeback in the last 12 months, so the demand for qualified maintenance professionals is quickly surpassing supply. » more
Marshall on Maintenance
Design for reliability - Part 2 of 6Teaching the Millenials a sound reliability strategy early in their career (the Matures, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers too) can be the critical component of a strong manufacturing strategy. » more
Design for Reliability - Part 1 of 6When I launched into the reliability profession, I thought condition monitoring was the center of the reliability universe... » more
How often should PM strategies and tasks be reviewed?The question is often asked "how often should PM strategies and tasks be reviewed?" Here are 3 processes an organization should have in place to support PM reviews. » more
Can you predict and identify failure before it happens?The earlier the detection is made the higher the probability the materials can be ordered and delivered on-site and the repair made while incurring minimal damage to the equipment. » more
August 23, 2011, five graduates of the Advanced Diploma in Maintenance and Reliability Management (MRM) participants gathered to discuss how things were going since graduating from Marshall Institute... » more
Machine Safety
Machine safety: Are most machines are intrinsically safe by design?It is odd to think that anyone in the U.S. believes most machines are intrinsically safe by design. Yet, only three weeks ago I heard this comment spoken in a conference room. Honestly, this kind of... » more
Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety as part of your machine safety plan, Part 4When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about... » more
Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety as part of your machine safety plan, Part 3When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about... » more
Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety, part 2 When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about... » more
Machine safety: Incorporating functional safety, part 1 When considering “functional safety,” look at what differs compared to other safety initiatives, consider U.S. versus international standards, examine conformance responsibilities, and think about... » more
Research Analyst Blogs
Government in the power businessPleas came from manufacturers and developers in the U.S. wind power industry requesting that the U.S. Government extend the PTC. » more
Power semiconductor market keeps growing despite challenging business climateThe power semiconductor discrete and module market grew by a more modest 9% in 2011. » more
Bluetooth’s domination of the car – Is it still coming?Back when I started looking at Bluetooth in-car applications, Bluetooth seemed the best thing since sliced bread. » more
U.S. anti-dumping tariffs - What will change?The industry has now had a chance to take stock of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s announcement that it will impose an import tariff on PV cells, or PV modules that contain cells, manufactured in China. » more
Change in Asian attitudes to process safety systemsThere is a well-known phrase, ‘If you think safety is expensive, try an accident!’ » more