Why use software for calibration management?
30 April, 2009Every plant has some sort of system in place for managing calibration operations and data, but the different methods for doing it vary greatly in terms of cost, quality, efficiency and accuracy of data.
Plant interaction hotspot tool
14 March, 2009 byExperTune’s PlantTriage software now includes a tool that graphically highlights plant interactions. Using the Interaction Hot Spots tool, engineers can quickly pinpoint the root cause of process interactions. Engineers can resolve these upsets to improve quality, energy, production rate and process uptime.
Where did all the people go? — the new case for condition monitoring
10 January, 2009 by Michael CurrieNot so long ago the main reason companies monitored equipment condition was to reduce direct maintenance expenses. Condition monitoring and its logical extension, condition-based maintenance, served them well by identifying impending failures early enough to avoid costly repairs and reducing downtime by only performing maintenance when required.
How to find energy savings in process plants
20 December, 2008 by George Buckbee*Process plants can make significant reductions in energy usage, with appropriate focus. Using the techniques presented here it is typical to see energy savings from 0.5% to 2% of total energy cost, with some plants seeing as much as 20% reduction. These techniques can be applied with little capital investment.
Condition monitoring system
01 November, 2008The Vibromac 107 is designed to provide continuous condition monitoring. An upgrade from previous versions, the system allows the user increased plant availability, through the monitoring of many operational conditions involved in screening and feeding of material.
Production analysis software
01 November, 2008Proficy DataMart reaches deep within manufacturing operations across a business to provide a single, unifying view into operational performance. Its data cubing technology layers on top of the Proficy Plant Applications suite of software modules.
Asset management software
05 October, 2008FactoryTalk AssetCentre is an asset management software package which enables users to securely and centrally manage ever-changing process automation production environments.
Siemens acquires innotec
03 September, 2008With the acquisition of German company innotec, Siemens will now be able to offer clients an inegrated software solution covering plant planning, production and modernisation.
Global asset sustainability — the key to a greener organisation
02 August, 2008 by James Brackenrig*Science, business and government organisations are starting to support the fact that reducing greenhouse gas is an inevitable and integral component of doing business. Environmental awareness, particularly as related to excess greenhouse gases, has seen a surge of visibility from the international and domestic business communities. Thus, businesses worldwide are turning their focus to increased environmental awareness through reduction of resource consumption, particularly of fossil fuels, which is the leading cause of excess greenhouse gases.
Realise the benefits of Design, Operate, Maintain thinking today
25 June, 2008 by Christian Klingspoor*Design, Operate, Maintain (DOM), the term coined by industry analysts ARC Advisory Group, gives us a vocabulary to talk about some of the key concepts in asset management and in industrial maintenance, repair and operation. Industrial facility designers and those that operate and maintain those facilities need to work together closely if plant efficiency and business profitability are to improve over time.
Optimising service: cutting the costs of equipment ownership
15 June, 2008 by Ian Joseph*Irrespective of whether you are a professional service provider, a manufacturer, an educator or a retailer, technology-based equipment plays a significant role in your ability to produce and supply services or goods to your customer. It logically follows, therefore, that failure of technology, plant or equipment in your business will impact upon your ability to supply — either in absolute terms, or by impacting on quality — with a consequent increase in costs to your business, erosion of profitability and loss of credibility with your customer.
The case for condition-based maintenance
09 April, 2008 by Matrikon Inc.Keeping physical assets in proper working order is essential to any organisation. Today, most maintenance is still performed either according to a set calendar schedule or according to that most ancient of operating procedures: “if it breaks, fix it”. But in a modern, data-intensive industrial environment we can do much better, and take plant performance to the next level with condition-based maintenance (CBM).
Plant safety and asset availability driving asset management strategy
02 April, 2007A formal, strategic, integrated systems approach can help reduce cost, provide higher security and lower risk, according to new research.
SAP and IBM join forces
19 March, 2007SAP Australia and IBM Australia today announced an agreement that will see IBM and its Business Partner network take SAP all-in-one industry-specific ERP solutions to the local mid-market.
Motor condition monitor
06 July, 2006The Motor Condition Monitor (MCM) by Artesis is an award-winning* software and hardware-based product that has been developed using model-based monitoring technology for predictive maintenance of electric motors and motor based machinery.
