The National Transportation Safety Board announced last month that the 2022 collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh was caused by critical lapses in bridge maintenance and oversight by multiple agencies. This week’s newsletter will cover the NTSB’s description of the failure, differentiate between failures and breakdowns, and provide quick tips on bridge maintenance. 

Are you interested in becoming an engineering student? Are you an engineering professional looking to gain knowledge in a graduate or certificate program? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to study engineering in another country? This newsletter presents a list of universities and colleges in the US and worldwide that offer engineering degrees and programs in any type of engineering you are looking for – including everything from mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, to mining.

Reliability Engineers and Maintenance Technicians are in high demand in 2024, and the competition is tough. What can you do to set yourself apart from other candidates when applying for a reliability engineering or technician position? Continuing education and earning certifications can set you up as the best candidate for a new career or help you move up the ladder in the company you are working for now. 

On February 7, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final Soot Pollution Standard to limit fine particle pollution, which includes soot (black carbon). The adjustment of the standard from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 is expected to prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, as well as increase money for health benefits by 2032. Facility owners will be required to provide plans of how their organizations will meet the new standard. Facilities currently in the process of construction will need to adjust.

Die cutters play a crucial role in various industries, enabling precise and efficient cutting of materials ranging from paper and cardboard to fabrics and plastics. To ensure optimal performance and longevity of these machines, implementing a proactive maintenance strategy is essential. Preventive maintenance not only safeguards the equipment but also contributes to improved productivity and cost-effectiveness in the long run. Condition monitoring of die cutters and tooling will improve productivity, standard part quality and reduce costs for the user.

As a reliability and maintenance professional, it is a must to stay ahead of the curve. With the emerging technologies and evolving methodologies going into Industry 5.0, it is vital to regularly hone your skills and review tried-and-true industry wisdom. So, whether you’re a seasoned expert looking to reinforce your expertise or a newcomer starting a successful career path, take these reliability and maintenance books on your journey. 

As in all industries, predictive maintenance, AI, and sustainability goals are shaping the textile industry in 2024. What are some of the changes and new products that we will see this year? This article will also explore common equipment used in textile mills, reliability and maintenance advice, and safety tips for the textile workforce. 

A strong mining Reliability and Maintenance program is also vital for safety in mines and any workplace. What are the best ways to keep mine equipment reliable and safe? 

As new technology, such as the use of AI and IIoT, emerges in the machine condition monitoring field, it can be helpful to revisit the value it brings to any organization. The following newsletter presents a case study demonstrating how beneficial CM can be to a business and finishes up with lists of 2024 condition monitoring trends and the latest software.