Technological innovation, such as the development of industrial IoT (Internet of Things) has made it possible to use machine data to improve operational performance and process efficiency. The availability of IoT has made it possible to optimise the remote monitoring and maintenance capabilities it offers to minimise the costs and consequences of both planned and unplanned downtime. This is a process commonly referred to as predictive maintenance. But even with these benefits, some manufacturers have yet to adopt it. PWE reports.

Maintec, the dedicated UK maintenance and reliability event returns to the NEC in October. PWE takes a closer look.

How much do you know about CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Software) or EAM (Enterprise Asset Management)? Maybe you have an existing system which nobody likes or possibly you are working with spreadsheets and paper and feel there must be a better way to manage maintenance within your company. Whatever your situation, you are likely to be working in one of the many maintenance departments that doesn’t have a clear picture of how to ensure CMMS/EAM software use is deployed and developed to maximise its potential benefit. Phil Taylor, associate consultant, MCP Consulting Group, reports.

Airborne and structure-borne ultrasound is a technology that has been around for more than 50 years. In the technology’s early days, the main application was compressed air leak detection. Even today, that is still the most widely used application for airborne ultrasound. Advancements in leak detection using ultrasound have come by way of reporting and documenting the air leaks that are found. The reports quantify the air leaks by showing the cost and CFM loss related with the air leak. UE Systems’ Adrian Messer, CMRP, reports.

Heiko Noll, product manager devices at industrial communication solutions provider INSYS icom, explores what manufacturers should do to prepare their machines and plants for the 5G roll out.

A waste to energy incineration plant in the Netherlands has seen the working life of the chains on its bottom ash conveyor double, thanks to bespoke chains developed by Tsubaki. PWE reports.

5G has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. But beyond the media controversy, the technology has the potential to bring about a fundamental change in the way manufacturers operate. Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at EU Automation, explains how 5G can benefit manufacturers.

Today's plant automation systems provide transparent monitoring of system status, plus tools such as condition monitoring or predictive maintenance – all help to reduce unscheduled downtime. However, what about brownfield installations with legacy equipment? Hartmut Pütz* and Thomas Lantermann** report.

Spidex Software has announced that IMI Truflo Marine has selected Mainsaver CMMS to support improved maintenance management processes at its factory in Birmingham, UK. PWE reports.

Clare Darlison, director of Idhammar Systems explains why manufacturers must take digital maturity seriously and how they can work towards achieving it.

When a damaged steam turbine rotor needed to be repaired, a power generation plant in Indonesia turned to Sulzer. Rather than wait for at least a year for a new rotor from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the plant opted for a repair that took only sixteen weeks. This quick and effective repair also managed to achieve an 8% improvement in efficiency.

Richard Chamberlain of Bosch Rexroth discusses, taking a proactive approach to maintenance is key to maximising uptime – something that can be supported by digital solutions in today’s Industry 4.0 landscape.

Mitsubishi Electric has introduced a new app for iOS tablets and smartphones that provides convenient commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, parameterisation and monitoring support for the company’s FR-F800E and FR-A800E inverters. Available from the Apple App Store, the Inverter StartApp addresses modern requirements to glean more information from manufacturing processes, with easier accessibility, and to be able to act on that information in a timely and convenient manner.

Thomas Boswell, ERIKS’ reliability engineering manager, examines how digital industrialisation is transforming MRO and underpinning proactive asset management strategies.

Bonded shrink fit assemblies not only enhance the service life of an assembly but pave the way for new design concepts and cost savings. Higher load transmission can be obtained from existing designs and geometries and there’s the potential for equal performance with relaxed tolerances and the reduction in size and weight of the assembly. Bob Orme, senior technology specialist, reports.

A family owned precision engineering company in Coventry has achieved a 10% increase in its forward order book and has made double-digit productivity gains with the help of experts from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

Threaded assemblies are the most important detachable parts used in machinery construction, installation and repair. Relaxation of tension and self-loosening is common for any machine but when it is operating in harsh environments, the need to minimise this deterioration with effective thread locking is even more important. Various methods are available but what are their respective strengths and failings?

Standard components specialist norelem has launched a new range of oil level gauges that can help engineers and manufacturers steer clear of dangerous situations involving oil.

Gernut van Laak, group automation solutions leader of ABB's Food and Beverage Programme, explains how plant managers can budget for maintenance and ensure optimum efficiency for all processes.

Ensuring rubber compounder mills capable of operating with bulk weighing up to three tons could stop within 1/6th of a revolution and reverse to meet European EN safety standards was going to be a challenge for materials specialist Clwyd Compounders.

PWE provides some insight into how preventative and actual maintenance is done with smart VSDs.

At Swedish pulp mill Södra Cell Värö, condition monitoring has long been a well-integrated and successful part of preventive maintenance. The mill is now making further investments in condition monitoring and has chosen the high-performance and highly flexible online system Intellinova Parallel EN to maximize the availability of the pulp drying machine.

It's a simple fact that data makes the modern economy turn. Being the first business to act on insights gained from pivotal pieces of information gives businesses a distinct competitive advantage. However, it's also quickly becoming a fact that the same data is being targeted by skilled cybercriminals intent on causing damage to infrastructure. Robin Whitehead (pictured), managing director of systems integrator Boulting Technology, explains how this is impacting the role of the chief information security officer (CISO) and resulting in the need for end-to-end digitalisation.

Companies have become increasingly reliant on the security and continuity of their power supply. Simone Bruckner, managing director of power resistor and load bank manufacturer Cressall Resistors, explains why regular load bank testing should be a crucial part of any company’s standby strategy.

Muntons Malt, one of the UK’s largest producers of malted barley has chosen the Smart Condition Monitoring (SCM) system from Mitsubishi Electric to protect fans and motors vital to its large-scale and sensitive production process. PWE reports.