Storage of Rotables Items
From Imrtwiki
OneSteel previously had storage issues with electric motors. They have now implemented motor circuit analysis CM in storage and a program of motor turning. The suggestion was made that large motors should be stored with their internal heater circuits operating to reduce moisture entry.
Sydney Water also has a program for inspecting and rotating its critical spares. They also have a management program around their emergency generators and diesel system to ensure they will operate when required.
Northparkes Mines have a recurring work order to rotate its spare large fans and gearboxes. There is also a specification implemented for using special preservative oil for gearboxes.
Rio Tinto Coal has the aim that when spares are returned from repair/overhaul suppliers they ready for long term storage. Theses requirements have to be a part of the overhaul specification.
Some of the protection systems discussed include the Enviropeel (thick spray on coating that sets like a think plastic), Tectle and other gearbox protection oils from Castrol and Shell, Softseal green film protection system and Underwraps (a PVC bag/sheet that shrink wraps around components with an internal protective fluid film for protection).
Orica has high quality storage systems around major security spares such as turbine rotors that involves using nitrogen to seal and protect. Smaller items such as pumps etc have no special storage requirements implemented.
Orica don’t have technical people in their store so they do not do quality inspection of received items. This was generally the case for most attendee organisations and it was thought best that QA checks be done at the suppliers.
There was discussion around some stores system (eg SAP 4.6) can help to enforce quality inspections of specific received items before they are stored. This would be worthwhile where the risk of quality problems is considered high or if there has been a history of QA problems. These inspections could be by local engineering or site personnel or by external specialists such as metallurgists. An example given of a problem that was found by inspection was a pump that had the incorrect diameter impellor.
