Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/680544
42 | May - June 2016 | www.machinerylubrication.com LESSONS IN LUBRICATION oil analysis program effectively. This same motivation will also be the deciding factor when evaluating each aspect in selecting and working with a laboratory. Selection Principles A laboratory likely will not excel in every aspect of oil analysis as you might hope. In order for it to be competitive, the lab may concentrate its efforts on those areas most valued in the market. The problem is many people are often too focused on price and may unknowingly fall short of their end goal by overlooking some of the most important oil analysis principles. To capture the scope for evaluating an oil analysis laboratory, selection principles can be grouped into five categories: prepara- tion, regulation, interpretation, communication and evaluation. Preparation includes all things leading up to the laboratory obtaining the oil sample. Choosing a lab that is located close enough to where samples can be delivered within 24 hours or as soon as possible from when the sample was drawn is a must. The laboratory should supply certified-clean bottles that are selected based on cleanliness targets and the type of oil to be collected. Lab personnel should be knowledgeable about bottle types and when it is appropriate to select one over another. Along with the bottles, sample labels should be provided requiring the collection of relevant data for the machine, lubri - cant, environment and maintenance practices. Without this information, the laboratory will not be able to fully interpret the results. The lab may also furnish special packaging materials to facilitate safe and effective shipping of the oil. If you are new to oil sampling, your laboratory should offer support on the best practices. This will include how often to sample, where to draw a sample and what type of extraction tools should be utilized. One of the first steps in developing an oil analysis program is understanding which tests should be performed for each equip - ment class based on the criticality of each machine. This will involve routine testing (potentially performed in-house) and exception testing (for when results come back questionable or abnormal). Your lab should be able to provide the required tests and assistance for optimizing test slates. The more you measure, the more you can analyze and the more potential opportunities ultimately arise. Most oil analysis test methods are not straightforward but will necessitate having regulations to carefully follow. The regulations may come from standards provided by ASTM, ISO or other comparable standardization organizations. These test standards define the generally accepted procedure, the proper application of the test, the method's repeatability or reproducibility, calibra - tion requirements and other pertinent data. The laboratory may even choose to follow a modified version of a test standard based on the lab's preferences. It is critical to understand which standard the lab will use for the required tests as well as the measures taken to ensure the operating technicians are conforming to those stan - dards. There should also be minimum requirements regarding the operating technician's certifications to perform all necessary tasks within the lab (though outside of the actual test standards). The lab's sample handling processes before and even after the tests are performed will be crucial. Find out how quickly samples are processed for analysis, the sequence of tests and how the remaining sample is stored for potential exception testing. At times, laboratories must take additional steps outside the scope of the testing standards to improve the accuracy of the results, such as the method to effectively agitate the sample prior to analysis or a quick physical inspection of the oil as the initial indicator of a potential concern. Additionally, each laboratory may decide (and is expected) to go 1. Preparation • Sample shipping time/distance to the laboratory • Provide certified-clean bottles and labels • Support with sampling methods • Test slate availability and selection assistance 2. Regulation • Instrument testing standards validation • Operating technician certification • Sample handling process (e.g., agitation)