Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1316458
6 | November - December 2020 | www . machinerylubrication.com e Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) level is the one that allows measurement of effi- ciency and effectiveness of the activities in a lubrication program and continuous improve- ment thereafter. Each factor has been assigned an alphanu- meric code for convenient identification. e code has been developed using three digits: the first refers to the Lubrication Lifecycle Stage, the second is the factor number within the stage and the third denotes the Manage- ment level. For example, the S3P element is the third Factor in Lubricant Selection Stage and is located at the Platform level. Using Ascend to Track the Transformation The Ascend ™ methodology uses Six Sigma's DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) tool to assess the maturity of the lubrication program from an established starting point through the trans- formation plan. e Optimum Reference State is defined based on the requirements of the ICML 55.1 standard. ORS compliance is assessed through inspections, measurement, verification and interviews. Differences between required ORS perfor- mance and current performance are analyzed by the Ascend methodology to prioritize the implementation plan based on impact on business objectives and reliability. In the assessment phase, Ascend not only provides the maturity of each factor based on the degree of compliance (completeness) but also provides a list of specific improvements aimed at complying with the ORS in each of the 40 factors of the lubrication process. It identifies the critical actions needed to ensure that the process is sustainably implemented with suit- able controls. e maturity of the lubrication process factors is assigned by Ascend using the traffic light code, where compliance less than 30% is assigned a red color, compliance between 30 and 90% is assigned a yellow color, and factors that meet the ORS by 90% or more are assigned a green color. (see Table 2. Maturity of the Ascend Factors). e Global Compliance level of Ascend (ACL) is a holistic indicator of maturity of the lubrication program in general. e ACL is not the average maturity of the 40 factors, but a sophisticated calculation based on a propri- etary mathematical algorithm that includes a Balanced Score Card (BSC) of the lubrication process and the maturity of each of the factors. e active ACL value is displayed in the center of the Ascend Chart. The Ascend Chart As seen in Figure 3, the Ascend method- ology is represented by a Chart consisting of the six stages of the lubrication process life cycle and the three management levels which also shows the degree of maturity and compli- ance with ICML 55.1 Implementation Priority and Execution Plan e Ascend™ Chart naturally provides an intuitive way of implementation based on the maturity of the factors at the different levels, but also has a built-in mathematical algorithm based on the Balanced Score Card (BSC) of the lubrication process, the sequence and relative weight of each factor and its degree of maturity identified in the assessment, to calculate the Priority Impact Number (PIN). e PIN is an excellent aid in establishing the transformation road map by determining which factors should be implemented first, based on lifecycle logic, their contribution to business objectives, and plant reliability. The Business Case for Ascend e implementation of lubrication excel- lence is supported by numerous real world case studies that have been published in Machinery Lubrication magazine. However, a successful case study requires that each process step is validated based on the investments made rela- tive to financial returns within a designated timeframe. A 9 K C 5 K H9 K E3 M E4 M S4 M S5 M R4 M R 5 M E 1 P E2P S 1 P S2P S3P R 1 P R 2P R 3P E 5 K S6K R 6K LU BR I CAN T RECEPT I O N & ST O RA G E LUBR I CAN T SELECT I ON CON TAM I NA T I ON CON TR O L & L UBR I CAN T R E COND I T I ON I NG LU BR I CAN T HAND L I NG & A PPL I CA T I ON COND I T I ON MON I T O R I NG , LUBR I CAN T ANA L Y S I S & TR OUB LES HOO T I NG A 4P A 3P A 2P A 1 P C 2P C 1 P H 3P H 2P H 1 P A 8 M A 7 M A 6 M A 5 M C4 M C3 M H 8 M H 7 M H6 M H 5 M H4 M C 5 K E N ERG Y CON SERV A T I ON , H E A L TH & TH E E NV I R O NM E N T By Figure 3. The Ascend™ chart COVER STORY