uick Fire
Tips
Computing
Cloud-�� rst approach to print
As the cloud - distributed web services
- has become an important aspect in
the working environment, James Turner,
product marketing manager at Y Soft,
provides �� ve tips on how it can bene�� t a
company’s print infrastructure. 1Improve your infrastructure –
become more accessible: One main
problem with a conventional printer is
that it simply isn’t accessible. Investing
in a managed cloud print service
allows customers to use a variety of
devices from which to print; they can
be anything from computers to tablets.
This can be achieved without having to
worry about compatibility.
2Help reduce the IT burden: IT
departments are at the core of any
business; they keep all the technology
updated and running. But maintaining
a physical print system can take lots
of time and money. Adopting a cloud
printing system means that upgrades
occur automatically. 3 Reduce expenditure and enhance
e�� ciency: Cloud printing allows
customers to print on demand, helping
document-heavy customers save
massively on printing costs. Maintaining
a cloud print infrastructure also allows
companies to be creative when it comes
to print management.
4 Security threats: New technological
innovations have now made data
more secure through encryption, which
means the data is protected throughout
the whole printing process. 5Fast connection and even faster
speed: One common factor in
printing is delay. But ever-increasing
data speeds will continue to improve
cloud-based printing.
“Whether you want to enhance
security, reduce expenditure or make
your business more accessible, a cloud-
�� rst approach to print infrastructure
should be at the top of the list for all
organisations,” concludes Turner.
Priming operations for an e�� ective restart
The manufacturing industry has been hit
hard by Covid-19 stoppages. Operators
have been forced to decommission
equipment for unspeci�� ed periods. While
machines are idle, they are at risk of rust
and corrosion. John Smith, chief engineer
for �� nished lubricants at ExxonMobil,
o�� ers 10 tips to get them back up to
speed. 1Conduct overall system check:
Inspect the equipment from a
lubrication perspective for any signs
of contamination or oil leaks. Consider
taking an oil sample for analysis before
restarting larger machines, in case
corrective action is required. 2Remove any rust preventatives: Do
this with a suitable solvent. 3Clear oil reservoirs: If a system has
been left to stand, free water may
have separated from the oil and settled at
the bottom of systems. Open the lowest
drain valve point to remove it. Clean
surfaces and remove bacterial growth.
4Drain and �� ll with fresh oil if
necessary: When draining the oil prior
to a re�� ll, always check that any dead
areas in the system have also drained.
Before re-commissioning, check oil is at
normal levels. 5Check seals and access covers: Any
areas for potential ingress, such as
seals, dipsticks and access covers, should
be checked for contamination. 6Monitor equipment leaks: Pay
particular attention to seals which may
have been compromised after being left
7Only static for an extended period. use heaters when oil is
circulating: If a system operates
with heaters, in start-up they should
only be turned on when the oil is already
circulating. This ensures that static
oil is not exposed to high localised
temperature. 8Purge grease-lubricated bearings
with fresh grease:Before
re-commissioning, bearings should be
re�� lled with fresh grease and then allowed
to purge by removing grease nipples or
purge plugs. 9Drain and replace engine oil: For
those engines that have been idle
for some time, drain the oil and replace
with fresh. Change the oil �� lter(s). Start
operations under low load and bring slowly
up to normal operating temperature. 10Conduct overall system check:
All actions taken during startup
should be recorded in maintenance
manuals. After operating equipment for
several hours, take a good representative
oil sample. Send it to a specialist
laboratory to con�� rm the condition of the
oil, system and contaminants.
Plant commissioning
18 www.operationsengineer.org.uk Autumn 2020
Top graphic: nendrawahyu/stock.adobe.com
ExxonMobil
/www.operationsengineer.org.uk
/stock.adobe.com
