Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1061099
12 | November - December 2018 | www . machinerylubrication.com LUBE ROOM CHALLENGE Camso Loadstar When contaminated oil and lubricant degradation resulted in high oil consumption and frequent machine failures at the Camso Loadstar plants in Sri Lanka, the tire manufacturing company approached Noria Corporation for help. During the development of its lubrication program, Camso Loadstar quickly became aware of its poor lubricant storage and handling practices. Once the loopholes in the lubrication program were identifi ed, a specialized team was created to transform the current program to world-class standards. Several key initiatives were planned, including renovating the lube room, dedicating fi lter carts and sealable and reusable (S&R) containers for each lubricant, imple- menting a lubricant identifi cation system, and providing for spill containment. e company also invested in modern fi refi ghting equipment, desiccant breathers, explosion-proof lighting, a dust- fi ltered ventilation system and a semi-automatic drum handler. Camso Loadstar's reliability manager also attended the Reliable Plant Conference & Exhibition to learn more about best practices in lubrication and reliability. e company soon began to see benefi ts in terms of cleaner oil, improved machine reliability and reduced lubricant consumption. Modernization of the lube room coupled with implementation of best practices resulted in a 20 percent reduction in oil consumption for the 2016-2017 fi scal year. Huber Engineered Woods e Huber Engineered Woods facility in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, is the largest oriented strand board plant in the world. While the plant's lubrication program was considered good, it wasn't world class. Improvements had to be made to the lube room. ese included adding a new lubricant storage unit, climate controls, storage racks and labeling. After the initiative was approved, the necessary equip- ment was purchased and installed. e fl oor was also cleaned and painted. The new lube room is now clean, organized and climate-controlled. ere is a place for everything, and everything is in its place. e new storage unit allows fl uids to be fi ltered not only upon arrival but also before they are transferred to the equipment. e new dispensing units have enhanced the ergonomics of oil transfers, while the color-coded tanks, transfer containers and fi ll points have helped to reduce cross-contamination. Each tank now features kidney loops, level gauges, desiccant breathers and fi ll pumps. Better climate control has resulted in less grease separa- tion. Oil cleanliness has increased, and everything is now labeled and easy to fi nd. Because of the color-coded tanks and labeling of fi ll points, staff members who may be unfa- miliar with machinery lubrication can easily fi nd the correct fl uid and install it into the equipment. Camso Loadstar previously stored oil drums in an open area. Open galvanized containers and a common pump were used for oil dispensing and top-ups. The company's new lubricant identifi cation system features labels on oil drums, containers, machines and fi lter carts to ensure no cross- contamination occurs. Huber's original oil storage was simply totes and drums. The area was diffi cult to keep clean, and oil could only be fi ltered after being transferred to the equipment. The new lubricant storage system allows bulk oils to circulate through a fi ltering system. The dispensing units also provide a clean transfer to the transport containers. BEFORE BEFORE AFTER AFTER