Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why should I choose Burdick Bros. Inc.?

During 23 years of business we've built a reputation for solid quality, dependability, innovation and fairness. Put our experience to work for you: ethanol, water treatment, grain processing, food processing, sawmills, wood manufacturing, metals, public buildings, schools, power generation, concrete products, mining, agricultural, construction, Municipal, State, and Federal contracts and subcontracts.

Burdick Bros. Inc. - Who we are

We know what makes machines work, what to do when they don't, and how you can get the most for your money.

Vibration Analysis and Predictive Maintenance

Will it take a lot of time to set up a Predictive Maintenance plan?

We work with you to establish fast, efficient machine routes for consistent data collection, at intervals that work best for your situation. Our equipment sheets speed up machine information setup to get your predictive maintenance plan operating as soon as possible.

Is Predictive Maintenance cost effective?

Preventing damage and unexpected breakdowns is simple, easy and costs so much less than trying to fix the situation once it has happened. Financial and safety consequences are unique to each facility, but advance warning of developing machine problems usually repays the small cost of monitoring many times over. In addition to hourly rates for lost production and overtime, payback from preventing emergency shutdowns affects all departments: carefully planned allocations for long-term benefit vs. panicked decisions; reduced safety risks and lost time accidents; less employee turnover from stress; avoiding secondary damage to neighboring components and machines; timely minor repairs with quick return to service vs. major damage; meeting deadlines and keeping customers; eliminating waste from poor quality product; lower energy consumption; machines running at intended capacity; lower insurance premiums.

What if my needs change?

Every part of your Monitoring Plan easily adapts to changing requirements. Equipment can be added or deleted from Routes, the Distribution List for Reports can be easily changed as needed, and modular SCHENCK equipment allows you to buy only what you need and upgrade at any time. The key to a successful Vibration Monitoring Plan is to begin. Start with a few machines critical to your operation or that have a history of excessive shutdown. Expand routes as needed.

We don't have time/money for any additional maintenance tasks.

Smooth-running, efficient machines cost less to operate and maintain, produce consistent quality output, reliably meet schedules, require a smaller spare parts inventory, and last longer for a higher return on investment. With advance warning of developing problems, you can efficiently and conveniently schedule repairs when parts, tools and staff are available. Additional damage is prevented and only minimal repairs are needed for a quick return to service. Save time and money avoiding unnecessary time-based replacement of parts in good condition. Prevent middle of the night emergency breakdowns.

Isn't it a waste of money to fix machines that are running satisfactorily?

You may not be able to see or feel vibration on the surface, but inside the machine even small amounts of vibration can be costing you money you don't see: premature wear, higher operating costs, using more energy, lowered quality, or safety risks. Neighboring components or machines are affected, as well. Predictive Maintenance alerts you to changes well before major damage takes place. You will know what's going on with your machines, what's OK and what needs to be done. Running machines to failure costs 10 to 30 times more in downtime and additional damage than timely minor repairs as needed.

Dynamic Balancing

My machine has always run this way, can anything be done to fix it?

Excessive vibration always has a cause. One of the first projects we ever balanced was a grain elevator drier that had been disturbing the neighbors with noise and shaking since it had been installed five years before. Within an hour, it was running smoothly, as it has ever since. Vibration Analysis helps you pinpoint the cause, or combination of causes, of excessive vibration that causes needless wear and damage.

Laser Alignment

Won't the flexible coupler take care of alignment?

Flexible couplers are designed to adjust for operating changes, not to compensate for misalignment, too.

Isn't eyeballing alignment good enough?

Eyeballing is subject to error, as human perception cannot attain laser accuracy. Laser alignment can align to .002" accuracy, instead of .02" with straight edges or eyeballing.