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Overhead Crane Service Basics: Gantry Crane Inspection and Maintenance

October 26, 2021 By

Integrity Crane and Hoist

Regular gantry crane inspection and maintenance benefit your organization in different ways. You can spot wear and tear early on, which reduces the risk of equipment failures and accidents. Ensuring that your gantry cranes are working fine saves you time and maintains your productivity; you don’t have to decommission any equipment and put operations on hold. Gantry cranes will, in turn, last longer; this helps you save money on major repairs and equipment replacement.

Types of gantry crane inspections

The type and frequency of gantry crane inspections will depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the working environment. It will also depend on the frequency of the usage of the gantry crane. The types of inspections include:

Routine inspections. Regular checking encompasses both visual inspections and maintenance work to meet the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements. Regular checks should be carried out at intervals not exceeding three months apart unless the crane is not engaged in work.

Check speed controls, operational smoothness, emergency and safety switches, and interlocks. Make sure all moving parts are lubricated, filter elements are cleaned and replaced, and required fluids are at their correct levels. Routine inspections help reduce wear and tear and instances of unplanned work stoppage while maintaining equipment availability.

Periodic inspections.  The basis of routine checks should be on-site conditions. Another one is the frequency of the usage of gantry cranes. Note that the inspection interval should not exceed 12 months. Apart from inspecting parts recommended by the manufacturer, check critical components such as brakes, gears, fasteners, pins, shafts, wire ropes, sheaves, locking devices, couplings, torque arms, and buffers.

Periodic third-party inspections. A trained and qualified independent inspector should always perform third-party checks. Each overhead crane should undergo a third-party assessment to ensure that the maintenance and repairs comply with industry standards and the crane is safe to use. 

Inspectors should review all maintenance records of the crane before the inspection, and they should document the results. There should also be a confirmation that the usage of the crane is according to its design classification. The assessment should cover electrical, mechanical, and structural components. If the crane has an existing condition, cover plates should be left open and guards removed. They shall pay particular attention to any element with any history of malfunction.

Major inspections. Major inspections are required to assess gantry crane safety and usability. Major assessments should include all manufacturer-specific items and structural, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation components. It should cover the gantry crane’s operational history, outlier events (e.g., overloads, duty changes, collisions), emergency functions, braking systems, and the disassembly and removal of paint, grease, and corrosion from critical components of the crane. Expect the inspector to check for any evidence of cracking, fatigue, and excessive stress.

Covering the southeastern United States, Integrity Crane and Hoist, LLC (ICH) is committed to overhead crane service excellence and workplace safety, striving for zero incidents at all times. Call (615) 302-3431 for more information.

Filed Under: Industrial Tagged With: , ,

Here’s Why You Should Not Consider Paying To Recover From Ransomware

October 22, 2021 By

ImageQuestPaying to recover stolen data from ransomware groups will only get your organization caught up in a vicious cycle. Paying ransom and resuming operations is not a guarantee that these groups will stop attacking your system. They can do so at any time and will continue to threaten to leak your data should you refuse to pay up.

Here’s the newest plot twist: Ransomware hackers will encrypt a victim’s data twice at the same time. They will notify some ransomware victims about the double encryption threat at once. In contrast, others will only see one ransom note and only find out about the second layer of encryption after they’ve paid to eliminate the first.

Ransomware groups usually operate on a revenue-sharing model. One group builds and maintains a strain of ransomware and then leases out its attack infrastructure to “affiliates” who carry out specific attacks. These cybercriminals have one goal: to get the most profit with the least amount of effort. 

Should your company be a victim of a ransomware attack, know that there’s a possibility that ransomware groups won’t supply a decryption key at all. The rise of the double encryption strategy raises the additional risk that if you do pay, you can decrypt the files once but then discover that you need to pay again for the second key. Moreover, decryption keys are likely to corrupt data. These keys are known to crash, requiring data recovery to start over or manual inputs to continue the process. Either way, it adds to both recovery cost and downtime.

Don’t pay up; just back up. Here are five ways to strengthen your data backup strategy:

  1. Review and update backup policies

Complete a thorough audit of all your data locations. Keep in mind the 3-2-1 rule: make three copies of your data, store these across two different forms of media and keep one copy off-site. Isolate off-site data from the business network to prevent ransomware from encrypting it.

  1. Air gap data

Keep a copy of your critical data offline, disconnected, and inaccessible from the internet.

  1. Back up data regularly

How often does your IT team back up data? Review backup frequency policies, especially in off-site locations (including the cloud). IT teams should also assess how long they keep the backups, especially air-gapped data. 

Keep separate backups for critical business systems to make data recovery easier.

  1. Ensure backups are clean and robust

Businesses should do what they can to make sure their backups are not infected with malware. Up-to-date malware detection tools are essential, as is system patching.

Limiting user access to critical data enhances security and can stop the spread of ransomware from the beginning.

  1. Test all plans and recalibrate if necessary

Testing all backup and recovery plans is critical to calculating recovery times and establishing whether data recovery is possible.

ImageQuest works with Bowling Green, KY businesses to fight ransomware attacks by developing state-of-the-art protection against these malicious threats. ImageQuest’s solutions protect rapid-growth, high-target organizations, and their assets with risk and vulnerability assessment capabilities. Get in touch today to learn more.

ImageQuest is the top cybersecurity service provider in Bowling Green, KY, and supports more than 5,000 technology users in 29 states. Visit their website or call 502-400-3300 to learn more.

Filed Under: Cybersecurity Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Q&A: What Are The Things To Consider When Designing Multipurpose Kitchen Islands?

October 8, 2021 By

The Linen Duck

A kitchen island is not just the area’s focal point; it also serves as an additional dining area, countertop, and storage space. How does one design a kitchen island that scores high on both form and function?  The interior designers at the Linen Duck share tips on planning a multipurpose kitchen island that meets your needs.

Q: Is there a recommended kitchen island size? 

A: The size of the kitchen island should neither be too big or too small. A kitchen island that’s too big can restrict movement and disrupt the usual workflow, which reduces the functionality of the area. On the other hand, a kitchen island that’s too small (i.e., less than two to three feet in length) might not be essential.

Thus, a kitchen island should ideally be three feet long and four feet wide. In terms of height, it should be at least three to four feet tall. The former is a comfortable counter height, while the latter is perfect for a breakfast bar with elevated seating.  Kitchen islands that are four feet primarily high have two levels to accommodate both seating and counter space. 

The kitchen island should have at least four feet of space around it on each side, leaving enough room for people to walk around and use appliances without bumping into corners into each other.

Q: What appliances can a kitchen island have?

A: A kitchen island can have a sink, dishwasher, or microwave. Make sure to install outlets that are easily accessible. 

When designing a kitchen island, the interior designer should also consider how many appliances are concerning. For example, the sink should be next to the dishwasher, or the sitting area should not have exposure to the heat emanating from the stove. 

As a rule of thumb, kitchen workspaces should be at least 4 to 9 feet apart. 

Q: How can storage space be incorporated into a kitchen island?

A: A kitchen island should strike a balance between its work areas and storage spaces. But if you do need more of the latter, make sure that cabinet and drawer dimensions meet standard measurements.

Q: What role does lighting play in kitchen island design?

A: Lightning can make any kitchen island stand out aesthetically, from minimalist pendant lights to statement chandeliers. 

Lighting can also enhance a kitchen island’s functionality. Install task lighting fixtures over breakfast bars and stovetops so users can see the food they’re eating or cooking.

Q: How can we design a kitchen island to fit our lifestyle?

A: If you cook a lot, you might want the kitchen island to serve as the food prep space. If you enjoy having meals as a family, then it could be your breakfast bar. Think about what you love doing and what’s important to you.

Offering interior design services in Nashville, TN, The Linen Duck is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Call (931) 548-2422 or visit their website to learn more.

Filed Under: Interior Design Tagged With: , , , ,

Q&A: How Do I Choose a Reliable Garage Door Company?

October 5, 2021 By

Franklin Door and DockGarage doors play an essential role in securing your property and in maintaining its market value. Over the years, however, your garage door can get too creaky, too loud, or it might not work at all. Franklin Door & Dock answers your questions on finding a reliable garage door repair company in Franklin, TN.

Q: There are a lot of garage door repair companies in my area. Where do I start?

A: Referrals from family members, friends, and colleagues will generate quality leads. These will also help you avoid trial and error since you already know someone who can vouch for the services rendered by the garage door repair company you’re considering. 

When looking for garage door repair services in Franklin, TN, the internet is your friend. Do a quick online search on garage door companies in your area and check their social media pages for customer reviews. 

Go through several garage door repair companies and request as many garage door repair quotes as possible. Compare rates and service offerings so you can get the best deal available.

Q: What are the factors to consider when choosing a garage door repair company?

A: Location is essential; you’ll want a garage door repair company that can quickly respond to emergencies. Serving a 50-mile radius around Franklin, TN, Franklin Door & Dock specializes in garage door installation, repair, and preventive maintenance.

Ask if the garage door repair company is insured. Working with an insured garage door repair company means they will cover expenses should there be any mishaps during the garage door repair process. 

Service guarantees are just as important as insurance. Franklin Door & Dock offers a 2-year limited service guarantee on all repairs carried out. It is their policy to always explore repair options first before recommending garage door replacement.  

Make sure to work with a garage door repair company that specializes in the kind of repair work you need. A garage door repair company in Franklin, TN, Franklin Door & Dock, has the tools and the skills to address a wide range of garage door issues. Their team can even produce custom fabricated parts if necessary.

Franklin Door & Dock has over 75 years of combined experience in the garage door industry. All technicians are trained and committed to providing complete customer satisfaction.

Franklin Door & Dock specializes in garage door repair and serves a 50-mile radius around Franklin, TN. The team can also fabricate custom parts as necessary. Call (615) 857-DOOR (3667) to learn more. For after-hours support, call (615)-336-7799.

Filed Under: Industrial Door Supplier Tagged With: , , , , ,