How Equifactor® Works

A failure has occurred. A pump has failed, a valve seat destroyed, a compressor has frozen.

How do I use Equifactor® to ensure it won’t happen again?

The first step is to perform a root cause analysis. This is done using the TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis System. To aid in this investigation, the actual equipment failure mode must be discovered. That is where Equifactor® comes in.

The Process Starts

The first step is to use the TapRooT® system to begin the initial definition of the problem. This will quickly focus the investigator on the actual sequence of events and factors influencing the failure.

The timeline establishes a quick and easy reference point to begin the investigation.

Isolating Probable Causes

Since this is an equipment failure, the Equifactor® troubleshooting tables are used to rapidly isolate the probable causes of the failure.

Equifactor® has designed these troubleshooting tables to rapidly narrow down how the part failed. Was it a fatigue failure? Corrosion? Overheating? For example, was the pump mounted incorrectly? Was the bearing improperly lubricated?

These tables are the result of the experience of Heinz Bloch and his years of troubleshooting expertise. System Improvements has licensed this experience and included it in the electronic troubleshooting tables, allowing your investigators to rapidly and accurately narrow down the problem.

Notice at this point we have not had to disassemble any equipment. The tables are used to narrow the focus of the investigation, and allow the investigator to ask the right questions as the gear is torn down. No information is lost or modified before you know right where to look!

With the possible causes narrowed down, the equipment can be disassembled and people can be interviewed. As the answers are obtained, the initial SnapCharT® is fleshed out, allowing the investigator to finally arrive at the real root cause of the failure.

Corrective Actions

Now that the basic cause(s) has been determined, one step remains.

The failure mode is now fed back into the TapRooT® RCA tree to determine the actual root causes of the failure and the corrective action required to prevent recurrence.

What initially appeared to be a random equipment failure may actually be due to personnel error, improper environmental conditions, or even an installation problem.

These issues can all be analyzed by the TapRooT® system to allow for meaningful, effective corrective actions, all developed through the software.