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Keep it simple with lubrication |
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Written by REM Staff
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Maintenance professionals continue to seek ways to improve lubrication performance. As is often the case, it's crucial to keep in mind the basics.
"Proper lubrication is essential for an operation to run smoothly," says Phil Grellier, Dow Corning Global Solutions development manager. "In many cases, less friction equals improved performance, greater reliability and lower costs."
Grellier recommends maintainers and other plant staff follow these simple steps:
1. Stay informed: Lubrication products and techniques are constantly changing, which means you need to stay informed. Knowledge about your lubrication system is one of the most important ways to prevent costly equipment downtime and repairs.
Many suppliers offer basic courses that cover the fundamentals of friction, lubricant selection, storage, handling and dispensing, as well as advanced courses that teach oil analysis, contamination monitoring and control, wear debris monitoring and analysis.
2. Implement an oil-analysis program: A thorough oil analysis program can track critical wear-related characteristics of oil in service by comparing the results with previous reports and noting the trends. This will help identify contamination, lubricant degradation, abnormal machine wear and problems with sampling. It can also transform a lubrication program from time-based to condition-based, eliminating unnecessary changes.
3. Find a qualified lubricant specialist: A good lubricant supplier should provide the training and tools needed to properly maintain your production line, in addition to a comprehensive product line that fills all your lubrication needs. Maintenance managers should expect a comprehensive suite of services from their supplier to facilitate lubrication management. If your supplier doesn't offer seminars in machinery lubrication or an effective oil-analysis program, find one that does.
"With a working knowledge of the basics of machinery lubrication and careful attention to the applications and conditions of their lubricants-companies can be well equipped to prevent costly damage caused by poor lubrication," says Grellier.
www.molykote.com
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