Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/704613
dence of quality losses due to unstable operation is decreased. This has a corresponding reduction in waste and scrap costs. Minor stops and speed losses are also lessened due to the stability of the process. If your program improvement initiative is to implement predictive diagnostic tools and perfor- mance analysis, consider the alternative and the costs associated with installing spare equipment to make up for all this lost production that you may not have even known you were losing. An organization with a focus on lubrication and oil analysis understands the operating condition of its assets, which provides enough advanced warning of root cause failure modes to enable "just-in-time" parts procurement. Spare parts inventories can be reduced, cutting carrying costs and releasing working capital for other uses. It's not unusual for organizations to be able to decrease their inventories by as much as 60 percent or more as they implement a successful program. Don't Overlook Energy Consumption The financial impact of energy consumption is also frequently overlooked. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy, 23 percent of all electricity consumed is through electric motors, and 70 percent of that is in the manufacturing sector. A simple thing like the proper grease volume in an elec- tric motor can account for 5-10 percent more energy consumption. Are you overgreasing because your training, written procedures or calculated routes are lacking? If so, you are leaving money on the table in the form of energy consumption. By emphasizing lubrication, oil analysis and reliability, your organization can capitalize on the investment in its physical assets, increasing output, decreasing costs and improving the expected lifespan of components, machines and the overall plant. Few investments a company can make will yield as many benefits as a strong focus on these key aspects. About the Author Jeremy Wright is the vice president of technical ser vices for Noria Corporation. He ser ves as a senior technical consultant for Lubrication Program Development projects and as a senior instructor for Noria's Machinery Lubrication I and II training courses. He is a certified maintenance reliability professional through the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals, and holds Machine Lubricant Analyst Level III and Machine Lubrica- tion Technician Level II certifications through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication. Contact Jeremy at jwright@noria.com to learn how Noria can help you make the business case to get your lubrication program off and running. Think Outside the Box By thinking outside the box, you can come up with even more benefits of program implemen- tation. How will the lubrication improvements impact sustainability programs or safety goals? These aspects are often overlooked, but in a world where consumers care how companies act, it could be in your best interest to include these types of metrics in your justification.