What one should
know?
One can avoid inefficiency,
down-times, extra costs, "losses of sugar industry in new environ of
the globalisation and the competitive world? So that investors,
farmers, employees and customers at large shall benefit we would
like to point out that there is need of change of attitudes of
persons, who formulate policy, those who decide and those who
execute the policy at plant levels.
Rubber as a material of construction
for sugar plants, there are precautions to be taken while its
ordering, it's storing, monitoring, it's performance & detecting
causes of failure. Taking corrective measures to improve upon
performance and selecting appropriate, knowledgeable & reliable
suppliers of spares. Also taking punitive actions against those who
do not deliver in time or do not maintain standards etc. Is a must.
Only lowest rates criteria may land
sugar plants in multiple losses; since there are different grades of
rubber and rates vary from rs.24 to rs3800/-per kg. Experienced
rubber / polymer technologist who has studied cane sugar processing
technology, HUGOT was the source and has tried to bring or develop
some blends (alloys) of rubbers / polymers can give better products
and better service. This is for which 'PATCO'
is known.
To guarantee inter-changeability &
better quality following information is necessary -
A) Working condition - temperature,
contact with steam, oils, alkaline or acidic substances etc. Or dry
heat only.
B) If available, specification /
standards as defined by Indian bureau of standards, BIS / DIN / ASTM
/ SAE etc.
C) Drawing of the parts with
dimensional tolerances
D) For hydraulic and pneumatic systems
the dimensions where these parts are fitted.
PATCO is ready to act on these lines, only cane
sugar-plants should be ready. If they agree, contact 'patco1
immediately, make use of electronic media to get right maintenance
supply promptly. Overseas sugar-plants do have faith in 'PATCO'
for inter changeability.
Shortcomings or deficiencies of sugar
plants experienced by PATCO during the
last forty years. While floating enquiries
a) Ignorance about rubbers i.e. its
grades & uses.
B) Lethargy in giving details of
working conditions to which, enquired rubber / polymer part should
withstand. Some times enquiries received for rubber to withstand
250°c or 300°c temp. Though the temp. At working station do not
exceed 120°c.
C) Drawings are sent but in fact these
are sketches only without any legend giving working conditions,
standards, dimensional tolerances. Also when changes are made in
drawings, no notice of change on drawings is made.
D) When changes are made in certain
dimensions it's effect on other dimensions are not considered and
attended to. This is mainly due to drgs. Are based on used &
deformed parts.
E) Many customers order huge
quantities due to there experience with substandard supplies in the
past. Rubber / polymers is organic material which deteriorates
/ages, if it is exposed to atmosphere for more than a year. This
makes rubber / polymer spares unserviceable.
Of all the aspects non-standardization
in all items of maintenance builds high level of inventories. When
such inventory build-up is of organic materials like rubber it
becomes obsolete in given time.
Wherever possible standardization
should be insisted by sugar plants. Sugar plant manufacturers
themselves should change their attitudes in the interest of sugar
industry, so that sugar industry can face competition due to
delicencing, free imports & globalisation.
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