Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1123345
6 | May - June 2019 | www . machinerylubrication.com AS I SEE IT Selection of Lubricants • Oversees the selection and performance specifi cations of all lubricants • Establishes grease vs. oil guidelines • Ensures lubricants are optimally selected with respect to cost, reliability, energy conservation, safety, quality and environ- mental factors • Ensures lubricants are compatible with the machine, process fl uids and work environment • Writes standards for all lubricant products • Implements a lubricant consolidation strategy • Is a member of the buying team for selection of lubricant supplier(s) Selection of Lubrication Equipment • Selects oil mist, single-point, central- ized and other automatic lubrication equipment • Selects oil level control devices • Selects sight glasses and bottom sediment and water (BS&W) bowls • Selects top-up and dispensing containers as well as fi ll port hardware • Selects lubricant dispensing equipment • Selects grease fi ttings, tags and grease guns • Selects storage room tools and equipment Selection of Contamination Control Products • Defi nes fl uid cleanliness and dryness targets • Selects fi lter suppliers, fi lter types and performance specifi cations • Verifi es that lubricants and additives are compatible with fi lters and separators • Selects breathers and headspace- management equipment • Selects oil reclamation equipment and/or service providers • Selects fi lter carts and offl ine fi ltration equipment • Selects lubricant heaters and coolers • Selects sump reservoir fl ushing and cleaning equipment and/or service providers Management of Lubrication Suppliers and Service Providers • Oversees quality, service and support by vendors for lubricants and related products and services • Identifi es procedures for receiving inspection of incoming products (including lubricants) • Establishes lubrication and contamina- tion control guidelines associated with equipment rebuilders • Sets up a supplier performance tracking program • Routinely communicates supplier performance to purchasing, engineering and management Lubrication and Inspection PMs and Work Order Management • Oversees the writing and scheduling of routine lubrication and inspection PMs, and ensures they are consistent with best practice • Oversees staffi ng and performance of lubrication work orders Writes Lubrication Procedures to Be Consistent with Best Practice • Tank/sump fl ushing and cleaning • Oil drain interval and criteria (interval based or condition based) • Top-up procedures • Grease gun calibration • Handling and storage practices • Machine inspections • Contamination control • Filter changes and used fi lter inspection • Grease gun operation (including how much and how often) Lubricant Handling, Storage, Consumption and Conservation • Oversees all lubricant storage room activities and equipment, including layout, lube container selection, transfer equipment, pumps and tools, ventilation, funnels and hoses, safety equipment and procedures, housekeeping standards, training, record-keeping, etc. • Responsible for management of lubri- cant inventories, reorder points, stock rotation, setting of expiration dates, product labeling and incoming delivery inspections • Responsible for tracking and manage- ment of lubricant consumption, including leakage control • Establishes lubricant consumption strategies • Responsible for environmental conser- vation practices, including best practices for waste oil and used-fi lter disposal Develops Lubrication-related Engineering Specifi cations for New Machinery • Identifi cation of all lubrication points, lubricant type, procedure and frequency of relubrication • Installation of sampling ports and procedure • Set up of oil analysis testing requirements by machine • Filter, breather and vent selection • Selection of level gauges, sight glasses and other inspection windows • Flushing ports and quick-connect selection • Initial cleanliness/dryness targets • Training of lubrication technicians on proper PMs and inspections • Participates in the commissioning of new equipment Warranty and Regulatory Compliance Management • Ensures machines are lubricated in accordance with manufacturer warranties • Ensures warranty claims are submitted for defective lubricants and lubrication equipment • Ensures all lubricants and lubrication practices (including storage, containment and disposal) are in compliance with relevant government regulations and industry standards Manpower Planning, Administration, Staff Training and Certifi cation • Writes job descriptions, defi nes job skills and defi nes certifi cation requirements for maintenance employees/contractors with lubrication responsibilities • Manages all lubrication and oil analysis direct-line reports and job responsibilities • Conducts quarterly skill-development workshops for lubrication technicians and analysts • Selects and schedules onsite training programs, including certifi cation relating to oil analysis, failure analysis, trouble- shooting, lubrication best practices and contamination control Lubrication Information Management • Supports the selection and management Routine Tasks of a Machinery Lubrication Engineer The following is a breakdown of the many routine jobs or tasks that may fall under the responsibility of a Machinery Lubrication Engineer. Of course, this will vary considerably from company to company.