The task of finding qualified repair shops to make fixes when high-profile machinery breaks down can be both daunting and time-consuming, especially when asset availability is critical and return to service is a priority. The selection process can be made much easier with the industry-leading SKF Certified Rebuilder Program for electric motors and pumps.
This unique program has been developed as a collaborative effort among eligible repair shops, SKF authorized distributors, and SKF. The program ultimately connects the marketplace with ideally qualified repair shops equipped with world-class parts and best-in-class practices.
Participating shops gain SKF’s extensive knowledge and experience with rotating equipment, bearing technology, machine condition monitoring, and enabling products and services, in addition to a network of engineering expertise and field support. In turn, users gain timely, well-executed, and reliable repairs from the best in the business.
Making The Grade
Operations typically may turn to outside repair or rebuild support when the required expertise is beyond the capabilities of in-house maintenance staff. While the immediate goal is returning the electric motor or pump to reliable service as quickly as possible, the wrong shop ultimately can do more harm than good.
For example, if a rebuild shop is ill-equipped to detect and analyze the underlying causes of an asset’s failure, a vicious cycle of recurring failures likely will follow. Misdiagnoses and/or improper or poorly executed repairs can further reduce asset efficiency, reliability, and availability. And the escalating costs associated with the continual maintenance demands, unplanned downtime, and lost productivity from repeatedly failing equipment will take a heavy toll.
Repair and rebuild shops possessing the necessary skills and enabling technologies while performing tasks according to industry best practices can make all the difference in outcomes. Shops making the SKF certification grade score high marks in conforming to exacting specifications and standards. SKF-certified shops also routinely undergo a continuous series of quality audits and implement strict conformance testing to remain in good standing.
These highly trained and qualified shops operate worldwide, offering end-users the professional repair services they need whenever and wherever they need them.
Tools Of The Trade
In addition to and as a result of offering the kind of convenience When an electric motor or pump will be subject to a repair or rebuild, technicians should have ready access to up-to-date tools, instruments, and technologies. These will be essential in conducting inspections and diagnoses, dismounting and mounting bearings, aligning shafts, and performing the entire range of necessary tasks. SKF certified shops possess an extensive “toolbox of technologies” to handle any and all repair scenarios.
In addition, quality precision components – such as bearings, seals, and lubricant –contribute to the integrity and performance of an asset after a repair or rebuild. Substandard or lower-quality parts can demonstrably cause more problems when the asset is returned to service. SKF certified shops take the high road by exclusively using only SKF components and testing equipment. And, given the rapid pace of advances in technology, a certified shop is dedicated to making upgrades when new products, tools, diagnostics, and/or repair methods are developed and become available.
Digging For Root Cause
Electric motors and pumps – the “workhorses” of industrial operations – rank among the highest in reliability incident reports and, more often than not, bearing failure will emerge as the primary mechanical symptom of an asset’s failure. But simply swapping out failed bearings with new ones will treat only the symptom and not the root cause of the breakdown – likely dooming the asset to repeated failures down the road.
Root cause is generally defined as the causal or contributing factors that when corrected, would prevent recurrence of the identified problem. A root cause analysis is based on the theory that every failure stems separately or collectively from three causes: physical or technical causes, human causes such as errors of omission or commission, and latent or organizational causes related to systems, operating procedures, and decision-making processes.
There are a wide range of root cause analysis approaches, tools, and techniques to uncover and model the real causes of problems. SKF certified rebuilders demonstrate a broad understanding of the methodologies.
Certified shop technicians have been fully trained in root cause analysis with the capabilities to arrive at lasting solutions to help extend the asset’s service life.Technicians are proficient in overall analysis of an asset, bearing installation, lubrication systems, and condition monitoring technologies, among others, which will provide the skills required to perform optimal diagnoses, rebuilds, and final operating performance tests.Ongoing training sustains and advances shop knowledge and capabilities.
It’s The ‘Little Things’
Experience has shown that attention to detail is one of the more important criteria for shops on the road to achieving successful repair outcomes. All too often, unfortunately, the “little things” will trip up some shops.The devil is in the details.
There have been instances where an incorrect bearing type for an application was unknowingly installed in an electric motor, subsequently requiring costly remedial actions and more downtime.In another situation, a bearing installed without the requisite interference fit on a shaft resulted in a subsequent breakdown and damage.
These and similar examples underscore that no aspect of a repair or rebuild job should be considered insignificant or undeserving of close attention. Every deliberate action from the proper selection of replacement parts to their precise calibration upon installation must conform to specs consistent with application requirements.SKF certified shops understand this and proceed in kind.
The entire repair or rebuild process is well documented every step of the way, beginning with incoming inspection, analysis, and documentation of an asset as presented.Records throughout the repair process reflect all necessary steps and measurements taken as they pertain to bearings, seals, and other critical components. Subsequent testing is performed and validated.Procedures can even be established to deliver on customer-specific requirements for any particular electric motor or pump.
Recurring problems and unplanned downtime do not need to be inevitable costs of doing business.In fact, a properly refurbished electric motor or pump can be as efficient as it was when new.Applying best practices in diagnostics and repairs can deliver maximum long-term asset efficiency with minimum energy and maintenance costs.
Partnering with an SKF certified rebuilder presents a practical and cost-effective opportunity over the long haul to prevent and/or end a continual cycle of repair-related equipment failures, poorly executed fixes, unplanned downtime, and lost productivity.
About SKF
SKF has been a leading global technology provider since 1907. Their fundamental strength is the ability to continuously develop new technologies – then use them to create products that offer competitive advantages to their customers.
For more information, visit www.skfusa.com.
About the Author
Robert Forstrom is Strategic Programs Manager at SKF USA Inc. Rob can be reached at (906) 396-8495. His email is Robert.Forstrom@skf.com
