MONTHLY MAGAZINE
APRIL 2026
ISSUE NO. 04
The Reliability Brief
Let the Experts Do the Bolting. Don’t Take Chances.
In the curated world of AI, everyone feels that they have become an expert in just about everything, can comment on anything, and believe they can do just about everything without limits: the world is their oyster.
Truth be told, AI has given us the essential tools we need at the convenience of a simple prompt. It has availed information to everyone with access to a basic electronic device and internet connection, anywhere, anytime. And the information is current and constantly updated, something that libraries could not guarantee.
Maintenance at Height
Engineering Access and Fall Protection for Maintenance Compliance
One of the root causes of fall-from-height incidents in mining and petrochemical environments is the disconnect between access systems and safety controls, resulting in maintenance teams failing to safely access their work areas. This leads to costly compliance breaches. The most effective way of mitigating this risk is integrating access and fall protection systems and ensuring that planning and execution are thorough. Access to technologies has also simplified implementation.
Machine Rebuilds
Rebuilding for Reliability
The first thought that comes to mind when managing an old fleet of mobile heavy equipment that has become a very costly liability is disposing of it and replacing it with a new one. However, in the current economic environment, this may not be feasible for every business due to capital constraints.
To bridge this gap, Volvo Construction Equipment has a programme that helps contractors and large fleet owners rebuild their articulated haulers, wheel loaders and large excavators to make them safer, more efficient and reliable. For others, this initiative helps meet ESG reporting requirements.
Maintenance Finance
How Maintenance and Finance Teams Can Play Nicely….
“Maintenance does not exist in a vacuum. It competes with other calls on capital and resource, often under significant pressure to demonstrate short-term financial discipline. In that environment, maintenance can struggle to assert itself…
Lubrication
When Saving on Lubricants Costs More
High oil prices and low output from oil-producing countries in the Gulf will trigger higher lubricant prices and supply constraints. Without a doubt, this is a tempting time for businesses.
However, in the wake of this situation, the last decision mining operations and heavy industry should make is switching from OEM-compliant lubricants to cheap alternatives to address the problem. If not well managed, this could result in …
The Hidden Cost of Lubricant and Coolant Shortages in Industrial Operations
Equipment failure in industrial environments is rarely sudden. It follows a series of small decisions made to keep the business moving. During periods of volatility in lubricant and coolant prices and uncertainty around supply, those decisions begin to take their toll.
Oil Analysis
Oil Analysis Investment Pays a Cost-savings Dividend
Oil analysis is not an event; it is a process involving an accumulation of many tiny actions, which can result in a Domino Effect – where one event triggers a chain of related events ……
Assessing Oxidation Condition and Lubricant Refreshment in Turbine Oil
Industry practice often suggests that turbine oils can remain in service until antioxidant levels fall to approximately 25% of their original concentration…
Wear Protection
New Polymer Coating Turns Metal Components into Self-lubricating Surfaces
In South Africa igus is introducing the newly developed iglidur coating technology.
Engineered polymers manufacturer, igus, has developed a unique tribological dry coating for high-throughput packaging and manufacturing plants to reduce friction and wear.
In these applications friction is the silent productivity killer and is responsible for wearing chutes and guides as well as snagging transfer points leading to increased maintenance requirements and reduced productivity.
In South Africa igus is introducing the newly developed iglidur coating technology to companies that require continuous duty manufacturing and packaging operations where its tribologically engineered coating uses a special polymer layer that turns standard metal components into low-friction, self-lubricating surfaces built for continuous duty.
AI Automation
Siemens’ Engineering Agent Carries Out Tasks Autonomously
Siemens has launched the Eigen Engineering Agent, its purpose-built AI for automation engineering, now generally available. The Eigen Engineering Agent represents a new class of industrial AI product: one that no longer just generates suggestions but instead uses multi-step reasoning and self-correction to carry out tasks autonomously.
