2023 Schedule
24/7 Beverage Filler Condition Based Monitoring and Precision Lubrication Challenges![]() Presenter: Bob Kazar
CEO, RTK Asset Management LLC
Description:
This presentation discusses several problems involving lubrication and condition monitoring requirements on two bottle fillers running in a 24x7 operation. These units are producing plant-based almond as well as oat milk, and are experiencing demand of the double-digit growth for the past several years. This growth has elevated production compliance to the highest priority as the company continually must meet all customer order commitments of both quality and quantity. Maintenance and Reliability are considered extremely important but shutting down equipment for routine lubrication or maintenance had to be avoided. This scenario required a condition-based approach to avoid unnecessary downtime.
Specific Filler design of critical components has presented unique challenges for monitoring. These components have had a low MTBF which resulted in costly events. Utilizing the support of UE System application expertise, the facility deployed the 'Ontrak' system by UE Systems. This approach allows for continuous condition-based monitoring but also real-time data on lubrication activities and effects. Technicians can monitor the results of their lubrication effort and monitor component health in real-time. This presentation will explain the challenges, trials and eventual success of deploying daily condition based monitoring and maintenance approach without impact to equipment uptime. About the Presenter:
Bob is an industry leader in the application Maintenance, Reliability, and Asset Management practices. He has been a leader in SMRP serving in numerous committee chair roles as well as extensive time on the board of directors culminating with serving as SMRP Chairman in 2016. Bob has worked in the food and manufacturing industries service as maintenance leader, reliability director and has extensive experience with multiple CMMS applications, SAP, MRO inventory management, and facilities as well fleet management. He was most recently leading the maintenance organization at CalifiaFarms, which is a global leader in the production of almond and oat milks. Bob holds a degree in Information Systems from the University of Toledo, an MBA from the University of Findlay, and his CMRP and CMRT professional certifications from SMRP along with his C10 and C36 state contractor’s licenses. |