Plant life matters
Although the cost of components - such as rolling element bearings, rotors and fasteners - in hydraulic pumps is usually very small, compared to the list price of the pumps themselves, the cost of stopped production and any consequential losses resulting from component failure is almost invariably significant.
No Crystal Ball
A wide range of tools and techniques is now available to ease the task of predicting when and what maintenance is required on machines and plant units. Steed Webzell reports
On a hire plane
When it comes to obtaining new equipment, plant engineers might want to consider renting before – or even instead of – committing to that cost. Brian Wall looks at the cost benefits
Science of decommissioning
Difficult economic conditions are impacting process plants, leading to redundant assets and a requirement for decommissioning. Richard Vann looks at the issues
Making it better
Renovating or refurbishing major plant can be more complicated than some realise. Dr Tom Shelley walks us through some the key processes and issues
Making MRO matter
Surprising as it may seem, some plants and factories may be expending too much of their maintenance effort in the wrong direction. Brian Wall reports
Factories get smarter
Many companies are now harnessing the benefits of digitalisation and will rely on smart factories in the future. However, the required budget is not always available or, due to short production cycles, complete machinery replacement is uneconomical, as Mark Venables outlines
Comment: Site to factory
Volvo and Skanska’s project to electrify and automate operations in a Swedish quarry is profiled this month. It’s not the first such project for Volvo, which has tested self-driving mine trucks in Norway and South Africa, at least. This project makes two big changes: swapping diesel engines with a battery-electric powertrain, and removing some drivers through automation. Benefits quoted include pollution and cost reductions.
Adding value
Talk to Lean specialists and, surprisingly, they'll tell you the real deal in equipment service is not planned, nor even preventive maintenance. Brian Tinham talks to Dennis McCarthy about how transform engineering
Thwaites green upgrade is picture of efficiency
Yellow dump truck manufacturer Thwaites' paint line has been refurbished – and improved its efficiency and environmental sustainability on the way.