Predictive Service, which provides reliability consulting and integrated predictive maintenance (PdM) services, has formed a new division to provide electrical repair, roll-out and project management services. The formation combines predictive maintenance technologies with a team of service providers to deliver value-added project management services directly to clients.

Maintenance Solutions will initially operate in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through an extensive hybrid network blending staff technicians with over 10,000 service providers. A proprietary service tracking and enhanced reporting platform, ServicePoint, schedules and monitors all projects, as well as integrates into clients’ current systems for improved efficiencies.

“Through our highly scalable turn-key service approach, an experienced team and extensive network, Maintenance Solutions delivers brand protection and accountability, resulting in reduced overall cost for facilities services,” said Ed Burkhart, Maintenance Solutions president. “Our strong partnership with well-respected manufacturing and distribution channel partners, combined with the unique benefits of ServicePoint, delivers unmatched value and service to our blue-chip customer base.”

Burkhart oversees the new division, which is located in Boston. Previously, he was an executive vice president at P.M. Properties Enterprises LLC. He also previously served as chief operating officer at Enservio Inc., a Bain Capital start-up specializing in SaaS contents property valuation solutions for the insurance industry, and as president of Network Electrical Services Inc., a firm focused on large-scale electrical (planned) projects and energy management initiatives.

“The addition of Maintenance Solutions allows us to offer clients more value-added offerings internally, rather than outsourcing. It’s a seamless fit with our predictive maintenance services that provides clients with a substantial reduction in administrative complexity and increased convenience,” said Don Frankel, president of Predictive Service. “We are excited to welcome Ed to our leadership team. His extensive experience building and scaling service and technology businesses perfectly compliments our growth strategies, while enhancing our service offerings to meet our clients’ diverse needs.”
www.predictiveservice.com/maintenance

Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc.'s SYNDURO SHB 46 fluid has met the physical and performance requirements of Voith, and is therefore suitable for lubrication of Voith Vorecon gearboxes.
 
“This approval comes as a great step for Petro-Canada as we work to convert the Suncor Oils Sands equipment over to Petro-Canada Lubricants,” reports Joanna Ha, SYNDURO category manager with Petro-Canada. “SYNDURO SHB 46 exceeds many of the Vorecon requirements and we are very proud to have the approval of Voith moving forward.”
 
Suncor currently operates a number of Voith Vorecon variable speed planetary type RWE11F6 gearboxes that are used in conjunction with boiler feed pumps at the FireBag facility in Alberta. Based on performance testing and Vorecon specifications, Petro-Canada has recommended SYNDURO SHB 46 for optimal lubrication of the machines. SYNDURO SHB 46 is a synthetic ISO 46 grade lubricant using PAO baseoils that are blended with selected additives to produce this exceptional synthetic fluid.
 
To demonstrate compliance with the Vorecon specifications, various physical and performance tests were completed that showed the fluid was suitable for use with the Vorecon units. In addition to meeting the Voith requirements, it offers a higher level of oxidation stability and EP protection than would normally be required for this application.

The synthetic multifunctional fluids are designed for a range of gear, bearing and compressor applications — in the forestry, mining, marine and heavy duty industries where low seasonal start-up temperatures and/or high operating temperatures prevail.

In new equipment, SYNDURO SHB fluids meet or exceed OEM requirements where synthetic lubricants are recommended. In older equipment, SYNDURO SHB provides anti-wear and anti-corrosion protection for high speed gears and bearings operating at maximum capacity. Available in 32, 46, 68, 150, 220, and 460 grades, SYNDURO SHB fluids allow for a consolidation of lubricants, reduce plant-wide lubrication inventory and can reduce the chances of misapplication.
lubricants.petro-canada.ca

Promising signs continue to point toward a sustained process automation market recovery to continue through 2011. During 2010, the automation market was at the point where suppliers serving the installed base with MRO activities fared better than those relying heavily on project business. Suppliers ate through a huge chunk of their project backlog and finished product inventory while new projects were postponed or canceled during the recession. Also, shipments for many new project orders received during 2010 were delayed until 2011. 

ARC expects the tepid growth seen during 2010 to accelerate in 2011, but remains skeptical about the process automation market reaching pre-recession growth levels. Historically, the process automation market has been characterized by slow yet steady growth, and we expect the market will return to this pattern with an overall CAGR of roughly six percent over the five-year period of 2009-2014. 

“Suppliers with quick access to raw materials and components and an efficient supply chain to enable quick ramp-up of production and inventory will be in the best position to participate in the increase in demand,” according to senior analyst David Clayton, the principle author of ARC’s “Automation Expenditures for Process Industries Worldwide Outlook.”

Global Manufacturing PMIs Show Expansion
Purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs) provide a good barometer of overall health in the manufacturing and automation markets.  PMIs typically include data, such as production level, new orders, supplier deliveries, inventories, and employment level. A PMI reading below 50 indicates a general contraction in the manufacturing economy being measured while any reading over 50 indicates expansion. The J.P. Morgan global manufacturing PMI edged up to 57.8 from 57.1 in January, marking the second-fastest reading ever in the global gauge, which is based on other surveys covering over 7,500 purchasing managers in nearly 30 countries. Output and new order components accelerated, and the input price gauge rose to 76.7 from 73.3 in January. The US ISM represents 28.6 percent of the gauge, followed by Japan at 12.3 percent, China at 7.4 percent, Germany at 5 percent and the UK at 4.2 percent.

Plan for Increasing Demand
Most automation suppliers followed a conservative strategy of cutting cost and inventories to match declining demand during the lengthy economic slowdown.  Suppliers accustomed to taking risks should put themselves in a position to take advantage of growth opportunities that are taking root in developing countries.  Sluggish demand has hurt the bottom lines of sub-suppliers, making them more open to negotiate on both prices and terms. 

As the economy recovers, automation suppliers must make plans to make the necessary changes and emerge as stronger organizations that are able to meet renewed demand.  However, this confidence will only come if there is a clear understanding in their organizations about the long-term trends that drive demand for automation and develop strategies to satisfy those demands. 
www.arcweb.com/res/auto-process

Safe excavation awareness programs have continued to help increase the number of calls to BC One Call, which in turn has led to a nine per cent decrease in construction-related damages to FortisBC's natural gas pipelines in 2010.

"We support the use of BC One Call, as history has shown that the best way to avoid causing damage to underground gas pipelines during any excavation is to first call BC One Call to request mapping information and then carefully hand dig to expose the buried gas lines. April has been designated as Safe Digging Month by the Government of Canada, and we want to continue reminding British Columbians to 'Call Before You Dig' in the interest of their own and the public's safety," said Dwain Bell, vice president, operations (natural gas), FortisBC.

While there has been an encouraging decrease in the number of construction-related pipeline damages in 2010, approximately 1,300 gas lines were still damaged (versus about 1,400 in 2009) as some excavators did not call BC One Call to obtain the location of gas lines and follow safe excavation practices. All excavation should be preceded by hand digging, prior to using any mechanical excavation equipment like an auger or a backhoe, as required by provincial regulations.

New provincial regulations also require excavators to obtain permission from FortisBC for any digging activities occurring within 40 metres of the utility's intermediate pressure or transmission pipelines. Depending on the scope of work begin done, FortisBC will outline conditions that must be met before work can begin, which could include FortisBC employees being on site during the excavation.

Information on the location of underground gas lines is provided free of charge. If gas lines still cannot be found after calling BC One Call and digging by hand, the public is encouraged to call FortisBC directly at 1-888-822-6555 for assistance.
www.fortisbc.com
www.bconecall.bc.ca

Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. and the WindShare Co-operative say that maintenance on the wind turbine at the Exhibition Place site is scheduled to take place between April 25 and 30. The turbine's rotor and generator will be removed, serviced and re-installed with the aid of two large construction cranes. This scheduled maintenance will focus on replacing the main bearing of the turbine and updating the controls.

"The bearing change-out is intended to extend the Ex Place turbine's lifespan," explains Dianne Saxe, president of WindShare. "On behalf of our 400 community members, we're pleased that this technical maintenance will help continue the generation of clean renewable wind power in Toronto."

In 2002, Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc., with WindShare, constructed Canada's first urban wind turbine. Situated on a busy commuter route and in a major cultural, business and tourist site in Toronto it has helped to raise awareness about the nature of wind power. In 2010, the wind turbine achieved:

• 94 per cent operating availability rate;
• 1,000 megaWatt-hours of electricity production, the equivalent of powering 200 homes with 100% "green" electricity; and
• a displacement of 380 Tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of taking 1,300 cars off the road or planting 30,000 trees each year.

WindShare is a for-profit wind power co-operative, the first of its kind in Canada. WindShare develops locally owned wind power projects that are scaled to the size and characteristics of the host community. WindShare was the first development project by the TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative (trec.on.ca), a non-profit, environmental co-operative that develops community-owned renewable energy projects and educates Ontarians about renewable energy, energy conservation and the community power model. TREC will launch a community solar co-operative, 'SolarShare' in summer 2011.
www.windshare.ca

Automatic greasing systems specialist FLO Components Ltd. in Ontario has received the Lincoln Industrial Corp. special “Celebrating 100 Years” distributor award.
 
According to Len Shpeley, Lincoln’s Ontario district sales manager: “This award was developed to recognize a select few distributors who over the long term consistently supported Lincoln in growing not just sales and market share but also product and new market development. Over the last 35 years, FLO Components has and continues to set the standard for other Lincoln Systems Houses. We look forward to many more years of mutual success.”
 
FLO has been the leading distributor for Lincoln in Ontario since 1977. The company received the “Distinguished Distributor Award,” which is awarded annually for outstanding sales performance to one or two distributors in North America, in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2007.
 
Commenting on this most recent award, Chris Deckert, president of FLO Components, said: “It was an honour to receive this award. Not many companies can say that for over two generations we have been a key partner with a global leader. Our thanks go to everyone at FLO who focus at making us the best at responding quickly, at installing professionally and at providing quality customized lubrication solutions for all our customers — done right the first time. This award is an indication to us that, over the long term, we are getting it right.”
 
FLO’s marketing specialist, Gabriel Lopez, adds: “This award is a validation of our passion for building strong and lasting customer relationships. … They understand that they’re not dealing with ‘just another autogreaser supplier.’ They consistently choose FLO because they know they can trust and rely on FLO to take care of them, quickly and professionally. Without our customers, none of this would be possible.”
 
FLO Components Ltd. is a lubrication systems specialist and a leading supplier to major manufacturers, trucking, mining, construction and road building companies and other heavy equipment users in Ontario. 
www.flocomponents.com

Fluke Corp. has introduced the unique Fluke 810 Vibration Tester. The most advanced troubleshooting instrument available for vibration, the Fluke 810 enables maintenance teams to rapidly collect data and diagnose and solve mechanical problems with an affordable, easy to use tool.

The handheld Fluke 810 is designed and programmed to diagnose the most common mechanical problems of unbalance, looseness, misalignment and bearing failures in a wide variety of mechanical equipment, including motors, fans, blowers, belts and chain drives, gearboxes, couplings, pumps, compressors, closed coupled machines and spindles.

When it detects a fault, the Fluke 810 identifies the problem and rates its severity on a four-level scale to help the maintenance professional prioritize maintenance tasks. It also recommends repairs. Context-sensitive on-board help menus provide new users with real-time guidance and tips.

Today many industrial maintenance teams work under severe financial and time constraints. The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester uses a simple step-by-step process to report on machine faults the first time measurements are taken, without prior measurement history. The combination of plain-text diagnoses, severity ratings and repair recommendations helps users make better maintenance decisions and address critical problems first. Typical vibration analyzers and software are intended for monitoring machine condition over the longer term, but they require special training and investment that may not be possible in many companies. The Fluke 810 is designed specifically for maintenance professionals who need to troubleshoot mechanical problems and quickly understand the root cause of equipment condition.

Mechanical diagnosis with the Fluke 810 begins when the user places the Fluke triaxial TEDS accelerometer on the machine under test. The accelerometer has a magnetic mount and can also be installed by attaching a mounting pad using adhesive. A quick-disconnect cable connects the accelerometer to the Fluke 810 tester. As the machine under test operates, the accelerometer detects its vibration along three planes of movement and transmits that information to the Fluke 810. Using a set of advanced algorithms, the 810 Vibration Tester then provides a plain-text diagnosis of the machine with a recommended solution.

A New Approach to Machine Testing
Evaluating mechanical equipment typically requires comparing its condition over time to a previously established baseline condition. Vibration analyzers used in condition-based monitoring or predictive maintenance programs rely upon these baseline conditions to evaluate machine condition and estimate remaining operating life.

In contrast, the Fluke 810 is a troubleshooting tool that analyzes current machinery condition and identifies faults by comparing vibration data to an extensive set of rules developed over years of field experience. The Fluke 810 determines fault severity using a unique technology to simulate a fault-free condition and establish a baseline for instant comparison to gathered data. This means that every measurement taken is compared to a "like new" machine.

Viewer Application Software
The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester includes Viewer PC software, compatible with Windows XP and Vista, to expand its data storage and tracking capability. With Viewer the user can:

    * Create machine setups at the computer keyboard and transfer the data to the 810 Vibration Tester.
    * Generate diagnostic reports in a PDF file format.
    * View vibration spectra in greater detail.
    * Import and store JPEG images and Fluke .IS2 thermal images for a more complete view of a machine's condition.

The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester comes with embedded diagnostic technology, triaxial TEDS accelerometer, accelerometer magnet mount, accelerometer mounting pad kit with adhesive, accelerometer quick-disconnect cable, laser tachometer and storage pouch, smart battery pack with cable and adapters, shoulder strap, adjustable hand strap, Viewer PC application software, mini-USB to USB cable, Getting Started Guide, illustrated Quick Reference Guide, User Manual CD-ROM and a hard carrying case.
www.flukecanada.ca/machinehealth

A substantial investment in industrial hydraulics often depends upon basic monitoring and changing of a hydraulic machine’s lifeblood — oil. The Hydraulic Maintenance Unplugged seminar offered by Bosch Rexroth Canada will show manufacturers how to stay ahead of hydraulic maintenance needs.

The seminar will also emphasize predictive maintenance – avoiding trouble before it starts through a variety of analysis and monitoring techniques. Interested participants can find more information and register for the seminar online at www.boschrexroth.ca/seminars.

“Most users of industrial hydraulics underestimate the value of hydraulic oil within their production equipment, and often don’t realize how many monitoring tools are available to them,” says Darren German, service manager of Bosch Rexroth Canada and one of the seminar’s presenters. “We want to show how oil analysis, trend monitoring, and predictive maintenance can bring manufacturers a substantial return in maximized productivity and uptime.”

Seminar participants will gain insights into how techniques such as thermography, chemical analysis, and 24-hour trend mapping can help manufacturers maintain tighter control of hydraulics maintenance and upkeep costs. These condition-monitoring approaches can give manufacturers a much more complete picture of a hydraulic system’s “health” when combined with conventional bottle sampling. Comparing hydraulic oil to the body’s circulatory system, German points out that short-term oversights can lead to long-term problems that compromise machine performance and lead to downtime and equipment damage. To help prevent this, Bosch Rexroth Canada hydraulic maintenance specialists will educate participants on the numerous tests available to help judge how well the oil in a system is performing, and show how modest investments of time and cost can head off a major failure.

The Hydraulic Maintenance Unplugged seminar features classroom-style instruction with case history examples and a demonstration that will show how quickly contamination can impact system cleanliness. The seminar will take place between 8:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on May 10, 2011, in Burlington, Ont., and is designed for plant managers, plant supervisors, operations supervisors, and other decision-makers.

This event is ideal for medium-to-small facilities which prefer to outsource their hydraulic maintenance and servicing, and it also provides an excellent introduction to Bosch Rexroth’s in-depth hydraulic upkeep training sessions.
www.boschrexroth.ca/seminars