Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1189076
www . machinerylubrication.com | November - December 2019 | 9 Money is spent and effort expended, but the results are often disappointing. Condition monitoring requires a strategic and efficient foundation for alignment. is begins with understanding machine criticality and failure modes. Alignment greatly helps to optimize deployment of activities and spending to minimize waste and redundancy. Alignment also keeps maintenance and reliability profes- sionals on the same page by providing a clear understanding of what's being done and why. Unification refers to bringing all condition monitoring efforts into a purposeful, cohesive focus. is includes vibration, ultrasound, oil analysis, thermography, etc., but it must also incorporate the human data collector who has sensors far exceeding anything technology can offer to look, listen, feel and smell. ese super-sensors are wired to a super-computer in the inspector's brain. Ever wonder why airport screening of carry-on bags still depends on humans to analyze and inspect 2D images? Optimize oil analysis and in certain cases substitute onsite oil analysis. Many non-crit- ical machines can get by with simple onsite oil analysis inspections instead of expen- sive, full-on lab work (at least for screening purposes). Basic onsite examinations that are extremely effective include patch testing, viscosity comparator, crackle test, clear and bright, and manual ferrous density. Frequently performed inspections at the machine are often far more effective than less frequent lab anal- ysis of oil in sample bottles. Unification and alignment are an engi- neering process that has the potential to yield huge benefits in reducing current condition monitoring costs as well as optimizing the state of machine reliability. What Does It All Mean? It's very simple: why wait? Warren Buffett once said, "I'd rather be approximately right than precisely wrong." Don't overplan, over- prepare or wait for the perfect time. Instead, spring into action now. Figure 5 is a simplistic tally of how investing in lubrication excellence now can be self-funded painlessly through the current operating and maintenance budget. Yes, some faith or trust is involved, but remember that many others have been down this road. eir amazing results are known and documented for public view. Refer to the countless case studies found at MachineryLubrication.com and make your plant the next documented success story. ML About the Author Jim Fitch has a wealth of "in the trenches" experience in lubrication, oil analysis, tribology and machinery failure investigations. Over the past two decades, he has presented hundreds of courses on these subjects. Jim has also published more than 200 technical articles, papers and publications. He serves as a U.S. delegate to the ISO tribology and oil analysis working group. Since 2002, he has been the director and a board member of the International Council for Machinery Lubrication. He is the CEO and a co-founder of Noria Corporation. Contact Jim at jfitch@noria.com. PENETRATES. LUBRICATES. PROTECTS. Unlike ordinary rust solvents, Penetro's exclusive oil-based formulation not only breaks through rust, it coats metal surfaces with a lubricating film that won't wash off. • Triple protection against rust. • Triples the life of hoist chains and sprockets. • Prevents thread stripping. schaefferoil.com 314.865.4100 START YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION www.machinerylubrication.com