Signal conditioners ensure signal integrity
Like a fuel injector in a high-performance engine, signal conditioners perform a critical, yet often under-recognized function. Signal conditioners isolate, transmit and convert a wide range of process signals into a format that is compatible with the receiving device such as a programmable logic controller.
Exploding the misconceptions and myths about arc flash issues
As a member of the NFPA 70E Committee and an instructor, I hear it all. There seems to be some common misconceptions among people that are like urban legends; they just don’t go away. One of my favorites is that “You don’t have to worry about arc flash below 240 volts.” While it may be true that an arc is more difficult to sustain at lower voltages, there have been some ...
In the Navy, metering an important issue
Siemens Industry Inc. will provide power metering equipment and services for the U.S. Navy’s Southwest Advanced Metering Infrastructure project by teaming with American Systems. The contract to furnish and install advanced electrical metering infrastructure at various locations throughout the Navy’s Southwest Region is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (AR...
Is Your Boiler the Best It Can Be?
Few energy devices are as universally used in industrial plants as are boilers. Because they are seen as a mature technology, boilers often don’t receive the regular attention given other industrial equipment. Yet because it is the largest single energy consuming device in the plant, the industrial boiler should be at the center of interest in most energy efficiency improvement plans.
Predict to prevent
We all know the negative effects of economic downturns, but one healthy outcome is a renewed effort to test conventional wisdom and assess value. We see a new normal, which is that leaner companies are forced to make better use of limited resources. Our customers across all industries, at varying levels within supply chains, are seeking significant cost savings from maintenance activities.
Stronger project management can help drive manufacturing performance
As manufacturing organizations switch their focus from surviving to demonstrating business value, project governance and metrics will play an increasingly important role in keeping management informed about project performance and its impact on the bottom line and customer service.
Share the load, reap the benefits
Load sharing is generally defined as the use of multiple prime movers, typically motors, to operate a common load. It can be found in a vast number of applications including but not limited to rock crushers, extruders and conveyors. Load sharing provides a multitude of advantages in a variety of applications.
Develop a system of systems
Understanding how assets work together to help manufacturers create more business value requires the performance of these assets to be analyzed. Analysis of performance is how business should be managed, giving managers a tremendous opportunity to move their manufacturing business forward. Plant Engineering spoke with Mary T.
Using technical assessment to identify root cause
A large pulp mill was shut down due to failure of the forced draft fan on its recovery boiler. Excessive vibration of the inboard bearing had broken the cooling water line inside the oil-filled bearing housing and flushed out the oil. The bearing journal had overheated, cracked and melted the Babbitt causing heavy scouring damage to the shaft surface.
Find, track the right metrics
Performance monitoring is not new. The concept of regular reporting has been around for as long as manufacturing operations have been in place. However, the pursuit of real-time performance management (RPM) requires managers to actively consider which metrics effectively track key processes and enable process improvements.