Training Courses Pay for Themselves in Many Ways

Education Tip

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Remote Sensing

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With regards to skill improvement for predictive maintenance programs, the benefit for the individual and the company has a multiplier effect. When a new student learns how to use a particular instrument more effectively, there is a good chance that problems that might normally be overlooked can be identified. In addition when a program is in place and inspections begin to routinely uncover potential problems, energy waste and improve asset availability, the payback increases exponentially.

In one case a company had owned an Ultraprobe for years. They decided to get more use out of it and arranged for training. One of the graduates from the Level I class returned to work and enthusiastically started to look for air leaks. Having noted the instructor’s advice to always wear the headphones when using the Ultraprobe, he noted a sound in his area that was not a leak sound. It was the sound of arcing. Using his “gross-to-fine” method, he located the problem in a Motor Control Center. The door was closed but felt warm to the touch. They arranged to have the component opened and checked with Infrared. They found the left lead from the bottom stab assembly to the disconnect running at about 48 degrees C higher than the background ambient temperature. Problem reported, problem corrected, flashover prevented.

We have had reports from many students about how the course helped them identify problems and push their predictive maintenance program further ahead by creating more efficiencies in their route planning and fault identification. At the latest Ultrasound World II conference we were treated to the results of training when we had presenters provide information about their ultrasound predictive maintenance programs. General Mills gave us case studies from three plants, Roger Early of Lubrizol showed us how to organize a bearing maintenance program using Ultratrend DMS, Kevin Whitehead from TVA shared the results of compressed air audits that saved two clients hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There are alumni from our courses saving their employers real dollars, improving asset availability and helping to keep production running on schedule. The payback comes in all shapes and sizes from product saved, to energy dollars saved, to equipment saved. Along with the financial payback, there are other factors such as recognition as someone who is a valuable asset to their company. This recognition comes from peers and management alike.

Proceedings of Ultrasound World II: For those of you who would like to learn more about the presentations in Ultrasound World II, we have made the proceedings available on a CD. Drop us a line requesting the proceedings: info@uesystems.com or call 800-223-1325.