Our good friends from across the Tasman, Xero, have just announced their accounting system is now available in Australia.
Xero is an accounting platform that runs in a browser using a Software As A Service model so you can get up and running without any hassles. Think MYOB on steriods, delivered online, with a top shelf user interface and lots of Web 2.0 goodness.
Xero’s Head of Design, Philip Fierlinger, gave one of the standout presentations at last years Web on the Piste. His talk, “Better by Design – Strategies and Techniques for World Domination” discussed the design, prototyping and development strategies Xero use to rapidly and iteratively improve their software.
For those of you that missed out on Web on the Piste 08, you can still feel just as much a part of the action. As well as downloading the podcasts of our fantastic speakers, you can now view the Adobe keynote from Andrew Spaulding and Simon Reid, as well as the Microsoft keynote from Michael Kordahi, online here. Additionally, see the two web giants battle it out in the Adobe vs Microsoft Panel Discussion.
I have great news. Good credit, a healthy financial situation, and sexiness are in your future.
One final comment before you read on: There is a lot of information in this blog, and some of the most valuable information begins after the chapters end. Take a moment to see what’s there before you start working with your creditors. Read and heed The Importance of Documentation, and document everything—every conversation, correspondence, every step you take—along the way. The importance of your documentation will prove itself in time, I promise.
Requirements of good shaft alignment / good coupling setup
it should be easy to connect or disconnect the coupling.
it should transmit the full power from one shaft to other without losses.
it does allow some misalignment between the two adjacent shaft roation axis.
it is the goal to minimise the remaining misalignment in running operation to maximise power transmission and to maximise machine runtime (coupling and bearing and sealings lifetime).
it should have no projecting parts.
it is recommended to use manufacturer’s alignment target values to set up the machine train to a defined non-zero alignment, due to the fact that later when the machine is at operation temperature the alignment condition is perfect
Tools to measure shaft axis alignment condition
it is possible to measure the alignment with dial gages or feeler gages using various mechanical setups.
it is recommended to take care of bracket sag, parallaxe error while reading the values.
it is very convenient to use laser shaft alignment technique to perform the alignment task within highest accuracy.
it is required to align the machine better, the laser shaft alignment tool can help to show the required moves at the feet positions.
Flexible coupling, Coupling maintenance and failure
Coupling maintenance is generally a simple matter, requiring a regularly scheduled inspection of each coupling. It consists of:
Performing visual inspections, checking for signs of wear or fatigue, and cleaning couplings regularly.
Checking and changing lubricant regularly if the coupling is lubricated. This maintenance is required annually for most couplings and more frequently for couplings in adverse environments or in demanding operating conditions.
Documenting the maintenance performed on each coupling, along with the date.
Even with proper maintenance, however, couplings can fail. Underlying reasons for failure, other than maintenance, include:
Improper installation
Poor coupling selection
Operation beyond design capabilities.
The only way to improve coupling life is to understand what caused the failure and to correct it prior to installing a new coupling. Some external signs that indicate potential coupling failure include:
Abnormal noise, such as screeching, squealing or chattering
Excessive vibration or wobble
Failed seals indicated by lubricant leakage or contamination.
Checking the coupling balance
Couplings are normally balanced at the factory prior to being shipped, but they occasionally go out of balance in operation. Balancing can be difficult and expensive, and is normally done only when operating tolerances are such that the effort and the expense are justified. The amount of coupling unbalance that can be tolerated by any system is dictated by the characteristics of the specific connected machines and can be determined by detailed analysis or experience.
For those of you who missed the conference or would simply like to relive the magic of RIAs and Usability again, podcasts of most speakers and their slides are now available online. Additionally, check out the cool animations produced by Nectarine Studios specifically for the conference on Gruden’s YouTube channel.
Another year, another Web On The Piste down the hatch. For those that have not already heard about the WOTP conference held in Queenstown NZ, it’s all about Rich Internet Applications, usability and most importantly – Microsoft and Adobe playing happily together. Gruden presented 24 top International & Local speakers, including web gods Thomas Burleson, Geoff Bowers, Robert Hoekman Jr, Simon Reid, Michael Kordahi & Simon Slooten, discussing the ins and outs of RIAs & Usability with delegates from all over the globe.
Picturesque Queenstown lived up to expectation once again, with many delegates taking the opportunity to enjoy the slopes (and presumably less memorably, the nightlife), for a fantastic week with their industry peers.
A big thankyou to our Gold Sponsors Adobe, Microsoft and Cynergy Systems, our Silver Sponsor Nectarine, our Bronze sponsor Daemon and our Local Sponsor HM Associates for their wonderful support of the conference and industry development. The animations provided by Nectarine Studios for the conference can be viewed on Gruden’s YouTube Channel. A further thankyou to the local and international delegates from the web community – Web on the Piste would not be possible without your dedication and participation.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the slopes next year!
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:41 am
Wow, just found this accounting package and it connects with my NAB bank account. Xero is awesome!