What Inputs does RelCode Call For?

RelCode's recommendations are derived from failure data analysis. The data is available from your own in-plant records. They includes failures, out-of-service occurrences and running times. These are only numbers required, and the historical period need not be a long one.

The required data comes from two sources.

• (1) DATA FROM YOUR RECORDS.

  In order to perform its failure data analysis, RelCode asks for the life-history of the machine-part being analyzed. That is, how long did each belt — or bearing, or breaker, or shaft — last before it was replaced on account of failure or any other reason. For example, you may have had belts replaced at 138 hours of use, 92 hours and 163 hours. This kind of hours-to-replacement data forms the main part of RelCode's required input.

  You may also have successful performance data on the same type of components, that is items which have run for some number of hours without failure (known as suspended items) and this data also forms part of the analysis.

  For example, if you have 20 gearboxes and 3 are known to have failed at certain lives, you would need to be aware of the successful running-times of the other 17 in order to get a fair picture of the reliability.

  RelCode can achieve dependable data analysis with very limited amounts of input. As time goes on, you'll add to your data-bank and RelCode will use the additional data to come up with even tighter recommendations for you.

  What about importing data?
  RelCode can read data from an Excel file. Just download data from your CMMS to Excel and edit it into a simple table. Save the file under Excel's “csv option”, and RelCode will read the file as input rendering re-keying unnecessary.

• (2) A COST RATIO BASED ON EXPERIENCE.

  RelCode needs your estimates of …
  (a) The cost of carrying out a preventive replacement of the component you're analyzing
  (b) The cost of replacing the component in the event of an on-the-job failure.

  
  

  Your maintenance records and your maintenance experience should give you these numbers, and — more good news — they needn't be of decimal-point accuracy to obtain good results.

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