Machinery Lubrication

Machinery Lubrication July-August 2019

Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation

Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1148092

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 28 of 70

GET TO KNOW Name: Bob Atkinson Age: 60 Job Title: Specialist Mechanic Company: Pierce County Planning and Public Works Location: University Place, Washington Length of Service: 18 years Atkinson Looks to Pass on Lubrication Knowledge Before Retirement For the past 18 years, Bob Atkinson has worked at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in Pierce County, Washington, including 1½ years as a maintenance technician and 16½ years as a maintenance specialist. Most of his training has been through on-the-job experience, and he is not shy about asking questions. Always curious to fi gure things out, Atkinson has an innate ability to look outside the box to make systems work better and save costs. Next spring, he plans to retire and focus on his hobbies, including rebuilding and racing old cars. Until then, Atkinson will be busy passing on his knowledge to younger team members. Q: What's a normal work day like for you? A: I arrive at 7 a.m., checking on any issues from the night before, completing special proj- ects and working on preventive maintenance schedules with the younger mechanics. Q: What is the amount and range of equipment that you help service through lubrica- tion/oil analysis tasks? A: We have equipment that ranges from a $1 million centrifuge to small exhaust fans and pumps, as well as high-end blowers and old and brand-new equipment that all require maintenance and repair. Q: On what lubrication- related projects a re you currently working? A: We have a lot of equip- ment in and around water, so synthetic oils and greases have worked best for our situation. Having a good lubricant and bearing supplier has helped to make things run smoother in specifi c applications. Q: What have been some of the biggest project successes in which you've played a part? A: I was recently involved in a $350 million plant expan- sion project where I reviewed plans and submittals, worked with contractors to help them understand the process and guided them to complete their job without aff ecting our day-to-day operation. There have also been times when I have assisted in re-engineering systems to enable them to perform better based on their original design. Q: How does your company view machinery lubrication in terms of importance and overall business strategy? A: Our computerized main- tenance management system (CMMS) is only as good as the information that our staff contributes to it. You need to k now your equipment, how much it is used and how much lubrication or mainte- nance it needs. Q: What do you see as some of the more important trends taking place in the lubrica- tion and oil analysis fi eld? A: Some of the trends I see are quicker, more effi cient returns, more specifi c data and a better track record in equipment maintenance. Q: W hat has made your company decide to put more empha sis on machiner y lubrication? A: Our company has put more emphasis on lubrication to help save costs and downtime and to obtain more years of use with our equipment following a criti- cality model based on each piece of equipment or process. ML Be Featured in the Next 'Get to Know' Section Would you like to be featured in the next "Get to Know" section or know someone who should be profi led in an upcoming issue of Machinery Lubrication magazine? Nominate yourself or fellow lubri- cation professionals by emailing a photo and contact information to editor@noria.com. 24 | July - August 2019 | www . machinerylubrication.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Machinery Lubrication - Machinery Lubrication July-August 2019