Concrete

Proactive Maintenance

Published

8 months ago

March 19, 2024

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Gaurav Mathur, Director and Chief Executive, Global Technical Services, discusses the importance of an on-site oil testing laboratory within industrial plants for improved safety, extended equipment life and cost effectiveness in the manufacturing sector.

Oil condition monitoring can provide important information about the condition of the machine through oil analysis. Lubricant in any machine is like blood in the human body. Just as a blood test can help a doctor diagnose an illness and inform a treatment plan, similarly an oil analysis can provide an effective way to know the machine condition and inform it to take maintenance decisions.
Once the oil test laboratory is within the plant, the test reports are made available to the machine maintenance team within a timeline of 48 hours. Timely action helps reduce the expensive mechanical maintenance costs and improves machine life and productivity, leading to the plant’s profitability.
Normally, the oil testing laboratories are far away from the plant. They are mostly in a different city, and these laboratories provide test reports after 10 to 15 days. However, those reports are of no use in machine maintenance as mechanical damage starts to set in within 48 hours in any machine. Hence, it is important to have an on-site oil test laboratory within the plant.
Oil condition monitoring, covering moisture (water presence in the oil), particle contamination, wear debris analysis or loss of additives level, etc. are the parameters that clearly bring out any machine’s internal condition. This reporting leads to timely maintenance decisions by the mechanical team. These reports also help improve the reliability of the machine being tested.
Thus, an oil testing laboratory within the plant site is instrumental in greatly improving the value of machine life and reducing a major cost of mechanical maintenance. These improvements and cost reductions in turn lead to cost savings, profitability and enhance efficiency in manufacturing.

OIL ANALYSIS AT SITE LABORATORY
Oil analysis is an important activity used to check oil health, oil contamination, oil cleanliness level, and machine wear. Its main purpose is to verify that a lubricant in the machine is operating with the oil in good condition i.e. the oil is free from any contamination due to continued usage in the machine over a period of time.
An on-site oil testing laboratory helps to form a system for early detection of oil degradation, contamination, and machine wear. Early detection has several benefits that ensure a healthier environment for the employees and the machinery, such as improved safety, early detection and warning of machine degradation, and increased equipment availability and effectiveness.
Once the oil testing laboratory is established within the plant, thereafter, the next step is to prepare department-wise, machine-wise oil testing schedules. These schedules ensure that there is periodic oil testing and subsequent corrective measures can be taken by the mechanical team. This kind of reporting and availability of the
on-site laboratory leads to a more proactive mechanical maintenance.
Almost 82 per cent of wear-related failures are the direct result of particle contamination.
It is a well-known fact that lubricating oils in a machine never dies. Once the contaminants are removed and the oil cleaned to its original level, the oil can be made as good as ‘new’. Hence, a good oil filtration and accurate additives treatment at site assumes considerable importance in ‘oil conservation’ in the industry. By conducting the above activity about 40 per cent to 50 per cent conservation of the lubricant oil can be achieved.
Hence, having a site condition monitoring laboratory not only improves the life of the machines, it also reduces mechanical maintenance costs and can bring a large economic change in the cement manufacturing sector. Besides, oil can also be recycled to its original level. Thus, having an on-site oil testing laboratory is paramount important and profitable for all large industries.

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Ramco Cements employee wins silver at Japan Para Badminton

He partnered with Paralympian Sukanth Kadam to win this medal.

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2024

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Dinesh Rajaiah, an employee of Ramco Cements, won Silver medal in the men’s doubles event in the Japan Para Badminton International 2024 held in Tokyo. He partnered with Paralympian Sukanth Kadam to win this medal. Notably Sukanth Kadam had finished 4th in the men’s singles in Paris Paralympic Games which concluded in September 2024.

Japan Para Badminton International 2024 was held in Tokyo from 22nd to 27th October 2024 where more than 200 players were in the fray.

Dinesh, despite suffering a shoulder injury and having his right shoulder heavily taped, treated the audience to a nail biting final. The duo was down 16-20 in the second set and fought back to take the game to the third set where they lost 16-21. Being the last match of the event, the pair won hearts of the audience for their never give up spirit.

Dinesh breaks into the top 15 in the BWF Para World Ranking in men’s singles category and is now ranked 14 in the world. Ramco Cements has been supporting Dinesh Rajaiah ever since he showed his talent in an inter unit tournament of Ramco Cements in 2017. The company had then encouraged him to take up professional badminton coaching and has been sponsoring him for all major international tournaments. Ramco Cements wishes Dinesh all success in future tournaments.

Concrete

Asian Paints Sees 43.71% Profit Dip

Asian Paints reports significant profit decline in Q2.

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2024

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Asian Paints has reported a 43.71% year-on-year decline in its net profit for Q2 FY25, amounting to a substantial reduction in earnings. The leading paint manufacturer attributed this decline primarily to increased input costs, a competitive market environment, and a slowdown in consumer demand. Despite the lower profit, the company’s revenue saw a moderate increase, reflecting its ability to maintain strong market presence in the face of challenges.

The company’s margins have been impacted by rising raw material prices, particularly in key components used in paint production. Additionally, the ongoing economic conditions, coupled with sluggish demand in certain segments, have put pressure on profitability. However, Asian Paints remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, focusing on strategic innovations and expanding its market share in the premium product segments.

In response to these challenges, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to cost-efficiency and improving operational performance. Asian Paints continues to explore new avenues for growth, including enhancing its product portfolio and leveraging its extensive distribution network to drive sales across diverse consumer segments.

Concrete

Ambuja Cements seeks CCI approval to acquire majority stake in Orient

Ambuja Cements’ stake would rise to 72.8 per cent, as per the notice filed with the CCI.

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2024

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Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Ambuja Cements has sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for the acquisition of a majority stake in CK Birla group firm Orient Cement in a deal worth Rs 81 billion.

According to a notice from the CCI, the proposed transaction involves a two-stage acquisition process, which was initiated through two share purchase agreements (SPAs) on October 22, 2024. As part of the deal, Ambuja Cements will initially acquire a 46.80 per cent stake in Orient Cement. This includes a 37.90 per cent stake from the current promoter group and an additional 8.90 per cent from certain public shareholders.

The notice further stated that following the acquisition of shares, an obligation would be triggered for the acquirer to make an open offer under the Sebi’s SAST (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) rules, aimed at acquiring up to 26 per cent of the expanded share capital of the target company. If the open offer is fully accepted, Ambuja Cements’ stake would rise to 72.8 per cent, as per the notice filed with the CCI.

In October, the Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, had announced the signing of a binding agreement to acquire Orient Cement (OCL) at an equity value of Rs 81 billion. This acquisition would increase Adani Cement’s capacity by 16.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), which is operated through Ambuja Cements.

Ambuja Cements, part of the diversified Adani Group, is a leading cement and building materials company in India. It operates 22 integrated cement plants, 10 bulk cement terminals, and 21 grinding units across the country.