SKF’s Reliability Maintenance Institute has expanded its training courses and delivery options to help industry capitalize on new technologies.

   New machine technologies and precision maintenance techniques offer the promise of significantly higher productivity and longer machine life. But results can fall far short of expectations if the skills of operators and maintenance professionals do not advance at the same pace. For more than 20 years, SKF’s Reliability Maintenance Institute (RMI) – the training division of SKF Reliability – has helped enhance and broaden the skills of maintenance professionals, plant managers, supervisors and executives. Now, the RMI has broadened both its course offerings and delivery options.
   “We like to think of the RMI as both a career-builder for individuals and a productivity enhancer for industrial operations,” says SKF’s manager of Reliability Maintenance Training, Joe Bruno. “We offer training that covers the most basic to the most sophisticated of maintenance and reliability practices, then go beyond that to offer courses for management and executive-level professionals,” he notes. “People come back to us throughout their careers as their responsibilities grow and technologies change.”
   New courses offered by the RMI reflect SKF’s expanding role in providing service and training beyond bearings. Among the many new classes offered are training in electrical fundamentals and hydraulics. The RMI has also introduced a career path program for individuals interested in a planned course of skills enhancement. Other new offerings include a skills assessment service, mentoring programs and a variety of options for bringing training directly to SKF customers.
   Here’s a look at what’s new from the Reliability Maintenance Institute:
NEW COURSES
Bearing Reliability in Fan Applications BMR 609
Designed for service, maintenance, machine repair or plant/ facility engineering personnel in industrial facilities, this course covers bearing basics that can help improve the performance of rolling element bearings in industrial fans. Topics covered include bearing basics, mounting and dismounting, fundamentals of lubrication and bearing failure causes and analysis as they apply to industrial fan applications.
(Course length: 2 days)
Bearing Reliability in Paper Machines BMR 610
Employees at all levels can benefit from this course, which provides pertinent information for improving roller bearing performance and reliability in paper machines. Topics covered include bearing basics, shaft and journal preparation, mounting and dismounting, special housings, fundamentals of lubrication and bearing failure causes and analysis as they apply to papermaking machines.

(Course length: 3 days)
Maintenance Excellence for Maintenance Managers PRM 901
This long-term program provides a systematic method of training managers to develop, evaluate and sustain world-class maintenance departments that effectively support the goals and objectives of their organizations. The series focuses on essential maintenance pro-cesses, and the managerial skills necessary to create and manage a comprehensive and effective maintenance organization.
(Course length: three consecutive four-day workshops with sessions scheduled approximately three months apart.)
Maintenance Planner/Scheduler PRM 902
The principals and practices of effective planning and scheduling are presented in this course. Participants gain knowledge and experience with maintenance fundamentals, responsibilities, organization types, work order systems, job planning, estimating and coordination. Basic use of CMMS is also covered.
(Course length: 5 days)
Industrial Screw-Type Compressor Fundamentals, Maintenance and Troubleshooting PRM 903
This course will help anyone responsible for maintenance of industrial screw-type air compressors.
   Conducted in a hands-on workshop format, the program addresses plant-specific problems and applications, offering practical experience in prevention, predictive maintenance and troubleshooting techniques using precision measurement and proactive practices.
(Course length: 3 days)
Industrial Electricity for Proactive Maintenance Mechanics PRM 904
Recommended for employees responsible for industrial electric needs, this course covers the fundamentals of electricity in an industrial environment. Topics addressed include industrial AC and DC theory, motors and controls, control devices and test equipment.
   Hands-on instruction is offered in wiring, control concepts and troubleshooting.
(Course length: 4 days)
Basic Industrial Hydraulics PRM 905
An ideal course for managers and technicians responsible for industrial hydraulic performance and reliability, this workshop provides an introduction to basic hydraulic maintenance techniques, concepts and principles. The class will cover safety concerns, fluid characteristics, components and functions and troubleshooting. Students will also construct and operate hydraulic circuits using simulators.
(Course length: 3 days)
Industrial Conveyor Maintenance PRM 906
This course will provide relevant information on how to troubleshoot and maintain conveyors in an industrial environment, covering specific conveyor system components, such as flat belts, belt drives, chain drives and couplings. Practical, hands-on experience will be offered in installation and removal techniques, precision measurement and proactive practices.
(Course length: 3 days. Available on customer site by special arrangement)
Introduction to the Microlog^TM System CMVA50 CMTR 502 – 50
Engineers, technicians and other employees required to be proficient in the setup and use of the SKF Microlog condition-monitoring system will benefit from this course. Ideal for the new user, the training provides a system overview, with specific instruction in setting up the CMVA50 Microlog, transferring measurements and data, ROUTE and non-ROUTE data collection and reviewing collected data. An overview of the optional two-channel analysis and balancing applications is also provided.
(Course length: 1 day)
Advanced Microlog Skills CMTR 509
This class offers a real-life, highly practical approach to solving machinery problems utilizing the advanced features and techniques of SKF Condition Monitoring’s CMVA60 Microlog. Ideal for reliability engineers, technicians, inspectors, advanced mechanics and millwrights responsible for the setup and use of the Microlog, the class is designed for maximum class participation. Traditional classroom instruction is enhanced through group exercises and videotapes. Topics covered include slow speed machinery applications, Microlog shortcuts, application menus, phase collection and analysis, time waveform, synchronous time averaging and bearing defect detection and analysis.
(Course length: 2 days)
Illustrated Vibration Diagnostic Wall Chart
Diagnostic principals, techniques and processes learned in RMI training courses can be kept fresh in student’s minds with this outstanding reference tool. The chart displays typical vibration spectra that determine the operating condition of rotating machines and guides the analyst in diagnosing a wide array of potential problems. Key features include illustrations of typical vibration spectra, text elaborating on the symptoms that normally accompany the 44 machine problems covered and drawings illustrating how phase reacts when such problems are predominant.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Career Path Packages
RMI Career Path Packages. are advance purchase programs for a specific set of courses designed to move the student along the path to career goals. Available in Condition Monitoring, Proactive Reliability Maintenance and Operator Reliability packages, each package is designed to be completed in one year, with one course completed each quarter. All courses include all applicable certification, testing and grading. Career Path Package training can be provided onsite or at an SKF facility.
Integrated Courses
Integrated courses are separate but related courses that are scheduled in a back-to-back format on consecutive days at the same location. In addition to enabling continuity of instruction, the format makes training more convenient and cost-effective. Integrated courses currently offered include:

• Root Cause Bearing Failure Analysis & Practical Applications in Bearing Lubrication;
• Lubricant Analysis for Equipment Reliability & Practical Applications in Bearing Lubrication;
• Lubricant Analysis for Equipment Reliability & Root Cause Bearing Failure Analysis;
• Proactive Reliability Maintenance for Maintenance Staff & Fundamentals of Machine Condition;
• Introduction to the Microlog System & Introduction to PRISM4 for Windows; and
• Introduction to the Microlog System & Introduction to SKF Machine Analyst.

Testing and Certification
Several RMI courses offer optional certification testing. Upon achieving a passing grade on an RMI test, the participant will receive a Certificate of Achievement stating that he/she successfully completed the course and passed the test.
   The test may consist of written oral or hands-on material. Courses offering Certificates of Achievement include:

• Fundamentals
  of Machine Condition;

• Machinery Analysis I;
• Machinery Analysis II;
• Machinery Analysis III;
• Bearing Maintenance
  and Service;

• Root Cause Bearing
  Failure Analysis;

• Proactive Reliability
  Maintenance Skills;

• Precision Alignment, and
• Field and Shop Balancing.
  (Students who do not take the test get a certificate of attendance)

TRAINING DELIVERY OPTIONS
MentorWorks Training Programs
Training can be brought directly to your employees at your site through the MentorWorks program. Designed as an extension of the typical classroom instruction offered by RMI, the program places an RMI instructor or technical expert side-by-side with your employees to train them in the specific skills they need in bearings, precision skills or condition monitoring. While at your site, the RMI instructor will also assess maintenance skills and practices, and identify other improvement opportunities and training needs. This hands-on approach is the most practical and effective training program available.
Virtual Workshops
If you have an Internet connection and a separate phone line you can access RMI experts and training sessions from the convenience of your own office. Suitable for individuals or groups of employees, the RMI V-Workshops are extremely convenient and very cost-effective. V-Workshops are currently offered on the following topics:

• Root Cause Bearing
  Failure Analysis;

• Practical Bearing Lubrication;
• Maximizing Precision
  Alignment; and

• Fundamentals of Using
  Predictive Maintenance to Assess Machine Condition.

SmartStart Onsite Product Start-Up Service
SmartStart is an onsite product start-up service that focuses on a specific product and is designed to get that product up and running, your employees trained and your program implemented quickly and effectively. The training takes the form of mentoring rather than classroom instruction, and the onsite instructor will offer guidance in applicable product or database optimization and functionality. SmartStart is currently available for:

• Microlog CMVA60;
  and PRISM4;

• Microlog CMVA50
  and PRISM4;

• Microlog CMVA60 and SKF Machine Analyst;
• Microlog CMVA50 and SKF Machine Analyst;
• MARLIN and PRISM4
  Surveyor;

• TMEA 1 Laser Alignment; and
• Balancing with a Microlog.

SKILLS ASSESSMENT
RMI Root-Cause Success Analysis
A solid foundation in proactive maintenance practices is critical to achieving maximum machine reliability and performance. To help you uncover problem areas and implement improvement methods, the RMI now offers Root-Cause Success Analysis services. This service is custom tailored to your industry and working environment, and requires from two to five days onsite. An RMI specialist will work with your employees to interview key personnel, review work processes and observe maintenance practices. Then a report will be provided detailing the analysis findings and offering comprehensive recommendations for improvement. SKF can also provide your plant with the means to implement the recommendations provided. Unlike other studies that tell you what to do but not how to do it, SKF Reliability Systems and the RMI provide a pathway to success.
NASCAR Racing Program
SKF is a proud sponsor of the Roush Racing Number 99 car driven by Jeff Burton. This year, the RMI will team up with Jeff to offer special packages that will include attendance at an RMI class, plus a ticket to a NASCAR event.
Customized Training Programs
If you have a training need that doesn’t fit a particular RMI course or program description, the RMI can create a custom training program for you. For employee skills, process or equipment training, RMI specialists will perform job, task and skills analysis to determine training needs, develop course materials and delivery methods and implement the training on your schedule. Custom courses can be taught by a qualified RMI instructor, or we can train your trainer to teach the material supplied by the RMI.
Discounted Advance Purchase Plans
For companies interested in multiple courses for a number of employees, the RMI offers a buy-ahead option that can reduce attendance fees by up to 15 percent. The Advance Purchase Plans are available in 12-, 18- and 24-day packages. The packages are good for one year form the time of purchase and can be used on most RMI courses.
   A complete listing of Reliability Maintenance Institute courses and locations is listed on the following page. For a complete RMI information package, or additional detail about course content, prices, locations or special programs, contact the Reliability Maintenance
Institute at (717) 646-2900, via e-mail: rmiUSA@skf.com. or at the RMI website at www.skfusa.com/rmi/.