Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1316458
ML www . machinerylubrication.com | November - December 2020 | 21 ML equipment isn't utilized. e point is not only to extract the current contaminants from the lubricant but also keep new contaminants from entering the reservoir or sump during the process of removal. is factor directly compliments contaminant exclusion to provide balance in the program and increase the life of the lubricant. is may require the use of a mobile filtration unit such as a filter cart, or even a stationary filtration unit on critical or large oiled assets. Also, implementing lubricant cleanliness standards will guide operators on how clean the lubricant must be, the frequency of periodic filtration and establishing a baseline of facility lubricant cleanliness for future reference. Most OEM machines either don't have filtration or the current filter isn't capable of reaching the cleanliness standards required by the facility. At this point, it is best to assess the current filtration efficiency, add new or additional filtration devices or review and change the target particle size of the cleanliness standard. Once a facility has implemented new strategies of contamination exclusion and removal, it is time to start looking into the next factors at the Management level. The Management Level: Contamination Control Objectives and Training e middle ring, known as the Manage- ment level, contains factors that enable personnel to manage processes, resources, scheduling and monitoring of lubrication tasks. ese factors are everyday activities and are based on the performance of the factors at the Platform level. is level is truly about managing a contamina- tion control program, establishing sustainable contamination control objectives and ensuring the core training for contamination control is provided. Contaminant Control Objectives (C3M) should be set consistent with facility reliability objectives, machine criticality, fluid environ- mental severity and the sensitivity of critical components to specific contaminants. When talking about machine reliability, lubrication should be among the first considerations to come to mind. If the contaminant control objectives aren't synonymous with the plants reliability objectives, therein lies the first problem. Reliable machines start with having reliable lubricants. Lubricants are much more reli- able when they are kept clean, cool and dry. Secondly, understanding the machine's specific criticality is key. e higher the criticality, the more goals or standards the plant should set for contamination control for that specific machine. Monitoring machine component life extension is a practical way to estimate the benefits of a contamination control program. Ultimately, this can help justify the investment in machinery redesign, the actions required to proactively control the entry of contaminants and the installation and maintenance of the removal mechanisms. e next factor on the journey to reaching lubrication excellence at a facility is Contamination Control Training (C4M). is will require a change in the way the technicians view the importance of contamination and the impact it has on their machines. We all know lubrication technicians or maintenance technicians who have done things a certain way for a very long time and may be stuck in their old ways. Training is a subtle way to open the eyes of everyone who attends and create a shared awareness of the need for change. With respect to the traditional way of doing things, training is important not only to the technicians but for the operators and other supporting roles within the facility. Proper training is an essential ingredient when changing the culture of the program and facility as a whole. Something that a lot of facilities talk about is getting their techs to "buyin" to a new lubrication program and new way of operating the facility. Training can be a great way to expose the incredible benefits of a great lubrication program. Not only to teach, but to explain why some tasks that may seem insignificant or tedious can actually make everyone's job a little easier in the long run. If the plant can keep contaminants out of their machines, the machines will last longer and perform better. Procedures, objectives and trainings can be tough changes and we all know that change doesn't happen overnight. While there may be some successes early on, the biggest benefits come from years of sustained change. For contamination control to stay sustainable, the final level dives into key performance indicators. The Key Performance Indicators Level: Contamination Control KPIs Key Performance Indicators (KIP) are used to identify certain areas or objectives that require attention and estimate the benefits of implementing strategy to achieve machine life extension and its associated economic value. ese KPIs are focused on the effectiveness of contamination control imple- mentation and overall sustainability. When considering a lubrication progam as a whole on the path to lubrication excellence, this would be one of the top metrics to assess overall success. At this level, the program should be in full swing and operating smoothly. ese indicators should also include a measure of the compliance of contamination control training and education in the facility. Contamination control is one the most important lifecycle stages on the Ascend chart. Combining resources and implementing various procedures, hardware and objectives to achieve all three levels of this lifecycle stage can be a daunting task, but with the right technicians and the right attitude, world class lubrication excellence is within your facility's grasp. ML About the Author Paul Farless is an industrial service technician for Noria Corporation. His duties include collecting data and preparing reports for the engineering team. Prior to joining Noria, Paul worked as an automotive maintenance technician for an auto-repair service company. He also served four years in the U.S. Navy as a gunner's mate third-class petty officer and as a seaman deckhand, where he was responsible for the troubleshooting and main- tenance of electromechanical and hydraulic systems. A detail-oriented team player, Paul works well in fast-paced environments and uses his military background to excel and maximize efficiency.