Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1316458
ML www . machinerylubrication.com | November - December 2020 | 17 ML replenishment, lubricant changeouts, lubricant flushing as well as peri- odic lubricant hardware replacement in the form of breathers, filters and other miscellaneous consumables. Each of these specific lubrication tasks should have detailed work instructions or procedures with precise allocated time requirements including logistics that help continue to drive the standardization and optimization of work orders. As with most other plant floor activities, the training, coaching and assessing of lubricant application tasks should be carried out systematically and revised over time. e proper Machine Configuration (H2P) for lubrication-specific needs at a site is something that is almost always overlooked upon initial installation. Site personnel tasked with the integration and installation of new equipment are often challenged, and rightly so, by cost control measures. While the concept of this practice seems ideal, this can be somewhat myopic in nature if not fully understood. Often only the initial purchase cost is considered, rather than the entire life-cycle cost of the asset. EEM (Early Equipment Maintenance) and FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) strategies should be reviewed and a MOC (Management of Change) process should be implemented to standardize and enhance asset configuration based on reliability, safety, and ergonomics. It is fairly common to see established lubricant dryness and clean- liness reliability goals for all lubricated assets made visible through oil analysis. While this is great practice, the same level of thought and detail should be considered and executed during the lubricant handling process from storage to the asset itself. Poor Lubricant Handling and Application Devices (H3P) create an unsolicited opportunity for contamination that may compromise the integrity of the lubricant prior to it ever entering the asset. Understanding this challenge—what the process looks like, what variables must be considered and how it can directly affect the reliability of the asset—play an imperative role in the uptime of equipment. Management Level A fter reviewing the previous Platform Level regarding actual work being completed on lubricated assets and components in the field, we now need to turn our attention to the management of these workings. e Management Level is necessary when providing direction towards lubrication excellence as it works to strive for the fulfillment of an organizational goals and objectives. Specific Factors to discuss in this section are Lubrication Program Management (H4M), Lubrication Routes (H5M), Machinery Inspection Tools and Practices (H6M), Goals and Reward Systems (H7M), and Lubricant Handling and Application Training (H8M). All lubrication activities should be managed in such a way that past, present and future tasks can be scheduled, monitored, controlled and executed as required. e utilization of management software also aids in the understanding of the site's lubricated assets as well as all of the specific lubrication points included within the program. It is important to understand the holistic functionality of the management software and the integration opportunities available between it and the site's CMMS (Computer Maintenance Management System). Failing to utilize an electronic tool for Lubrication Program Management (H4M) makes it extremely difficult to dynamically perform these tasks and can put the site at risk for tasks being performed at the wrong frequency or not at all. We have covered lubrication-specific tasks in detail and now will begin to take a look at grouping these tasks together in the form of Lubrication Routes (H5M) to be completed through work orders. e routes themselves provide logic to the planning and execution of these tasks over time all while allowing feedback of the lubrication program as a whole. Route development should be well thought out, organized and logistically reasonable to optimize the time available for individuals to perform them. Routes can be build based on lubricant type, task frequency, plant floor location and machine serviceability among other influencing variables. While it is ideal to establish lubrication routes and minimize changes, some deviation is necessary from time to time. It is ideal to structure a system such that it lends itself to be dynami- cally changed based on workload and resources availability. Also, it's worthwhile to consider reviewing lubrication routes on an annual or biannual basis. is should be done by individuals across the program from scheduling to execution to optimize frequencies and stay in align- ment with other continuous improvement practices. e inspection of assets with regards to your lubrication program is often a practice that is executed but in an abbreviated manner. Machine Inspection Tools and Practices (H6M), while somewhat time intensive, can be extremely productive when performed properly. Knowing specifically where and how to look, having a keen eye on what START YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION machinerylubrication.com