In a recent RT300 class during the field portion of the training, the team made the decision to take vibration readings on a motor/pump assembly that was very noisy and had frequent coupling failures. The RT300 diagnosed misalignment, cavitation and shock modulation. Then using the same RT300, they checked the alignment and it was indeed…
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I recently had the pleasure of teaching an alignment class for a Midwest company involved in pipe fabrication and installation. Their primary concern wasn’t so much in precision shaft alignment, but in being able to measure the effect pipe strain has on alignment. Before I arrived, they had told me they had fabricated a rig…
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In recent years many new gas processing plants have been built to keep up with the demand for natural gas. Some of the process equipment for these plants are constructed on “modular skids” which are simply set in place, on the ground, then the piping is connected. During a recent training class, at a…
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A colleague and client of ours called, in a bit of a quandary. “Ever seen anything like this?” he asked. I had to answer “No, I have not”. This is a C-face motor. It is typically mounted to a C-face flange, which connects to a vertically oriented pump. But in this case, the C-face motor…
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It doesn’t matter what size, shape or design of the pump its purpose is to move fluids. Head loss that must be overcome makes the task a bit more complicated and the type of pump makes a difference. Two of the basic pump laws are volumetric flow rate and pump power: Volumetric Flow Rate:…
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The Fixturlaser Level is a high precision two axis digital machinist level. The primary application is base leveling. The Fixturlaser Level offers the following advantages: Two axis live measurement Calibrated to earth level out of the box No line of sight required Immediate feedback with live values Documentation of results Simple to qualify to other…
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Coupling manufacturers have an “acceptable” misalignment tolerance range that is typically much greater than precision shaft alignment tolerances. Why is that? Because flexible couplings are designed to allow for incidental movement of machines during operation. Seal manufacturers have very tight tolerances for allowable misalignment. Why? Because of how they seal. Typical mechanical seals have mating…
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Let’s talk about precision maintenance tools. “Precision” is the key word because it is required from the technician, their tools, and the work that they do. There are a ton of tools out there but these are the most common and important needed for the daily needs of a maintenance person, including but not limited…
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As maintenance and reliability professionals we have a tremendous responsibility to keep the machines in our facilities up and running. As the entire world navigates through this pandemic, water, power, food, medicine and many other essentials have continued to be provided. Having the necessary skills and knowledge is critical to ensuring that we are able…
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In some industries, like oiling, drive belt replacement is considered a task for the new guys on the floor. It’s an easy job right? Absolutely. But there are many ways to do it incorrectly if not taught properly the first time. First, let’s talk about the two most common types of belts, V-Belts and Synchronous…
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Unfortunately, mechanical seal failure is the greatest cause of pump downtime. That’s why it is important to understand how they work and proper handling. Mechanical seals come in a multitude of designs that range from simple spring designs to more complex designs like cartridge seal types. Knowing how to care for, handle, clean, assemble, and…
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Out-of-the-box thinking is sometimes required in these uncertain times we are living in. This became clear on a recent training assignment in Northeast Nevada. Improvisation became the backdrop for my class with the mining maintenance technicians of Direct Force Maintenance, of Winnemucca Nevada. The current cultural changes facing our nation provide challenges for conducting on-site…
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In our last blog post, The 4 Types Of Lubricants for Industrial Machines, we talked about when to use these 4 types of lubricants; Oil, Grease, Dry Lubricants, and Penetrating Lubricants. We also created a free downloadable grease compatibility poster for your plant’s internal use, which can be found here: Grease Compatibility Chart. Improper lubrication…
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A lot of times in the industry, lubricating machines is a task given to new employees because it’s thought to be a job for newer workers or apprentices. Although lubrication is a relatively easy task to perform, it is still instrumental to have a good understanding of the different types of lubricants. Doing so will…
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We get asked a multitude of questions in our training classes, which we appreciate. But a few questions pop up almost every time. Here are some of our most common questions and answers. QUESTION: Sometimes on small machines, I don’t have enough room on the shaft to mount the laser. Can I mount it…
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If you’re working to maintain machines, Acoem USA wants to help.
We’re committed to providing tools, training, and services that will transform your approach to maintenance and reliability.
