Jim Fitch

Jul 23, 2024 | machinerylubrication.com | Jim Fitch

Like most business plans and strategies, an inspection plan should be built top-down. It should begin with a clear statement of corporate goals and objectives related to asset management. This approach is addressed in ISO 55001 on asset management. ICML 55, the global standard by the International Council for Machinery Lubrication, addresses optimized management of lubricated assets and is aligned with ISO 55001 guidelines. It covers inspection plans.

Apr 23, 2024 | machinerylubrication.com | Jim Fitch

I’ve seen people shrug off the importance of fluctuating oil levels when they inspect sight glasses. After giving a lot of thought to this phenomenon plus plenty of research, I’ve concluded that it’s a very bad practice for many reasons. Those reasons are the subject of my article. My hope is that I can open your eyes to the need to investigate what’s behind oil level changes and of course take corrective action when warranted (most of the time).

Apr 19, 2024 | alleghenycampus.com | Jim Fitch

Graduation season is upon us. As the Allegheny College Class of 2024 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, I, too, am preparing for a commencement of my own. This June, I will retire following 26 years of service at the College, first as an adjunct professor during the 1998-99 academic year and then as a member of the career center team beginning in August 2000.

Jan 22, 2024 | machinerylubrication.com | Jim Fitch

The condition-monitoring universe consists of a myriad of tools and technologies that are available to help detect and remediate machine reliability problems. No single tool comes close to doing it all, circumventing the need for all others. Everything depends on using these tools at the right time, the right place and in the right way. These tools include our senses (used in inspection), oil analysis, vibration, thermography, motor current, and ultrasound.

Dec 26, 2023 | machinerylubrication.com | Jim Fitch

Giving a broken machine a fresh new lease on life is the calling of troubleshooters and mechanics. The maintenance field attracts people who are driven by such native desires, not unlike nurses and doctors. Some people like fixing things. I'm one of those people. Yet, today's reliability-conscious world is changing the maintenance persona, taking it in a direction away from the macho image of the past. It's no longer desirable to yearn for the meltdown or the perfect storm.