Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1336798
ML www . machinerylubrication.com | January - February 2021 | 19 ML " Cost control measures are a healthy part of physical plant asset acquisition. ey help minimize capital spending on projects by ensuring there is a sound business case that maximizes ROI" increased equipment longevit y and enhanced site prof itability. Understanding asset lifecycle cost and ownership, standardizing and optimizing machine configuration through documentation practices and knowing how to deploy these considerations to assets in an accu- rate and timely way will provide improved site "vision." Understanding Asset Lifecycle Costs and Ownership Cost control measures are a healthy part of physical plant asset acquisition. They help minimize capital spending on projects by ensuring there is a sound business case that maximizes ROI (Return on Investment). Despite this laser-fo- cused efficiency, often a focus on immediate costs supersedes a broader, more strategic view of the situation. e extreme focus on the cost of a project is often based on the initial purchase cost alone - not on the entire lifecycle cost of the asset itself. In turn, this restricted view of asset costs often places plant equipment and productivity in a reactive mindset prior to installation or operation. A reactive approach might seem easier or cheaper in the short term, but it is a more labor-intensive, expensive and failure-prone way to manage the full lifecycle of your assets. W h i le shor t-term reduc ed spending in the form of capital projects looks good in the moment, reliability leaders should be focused not only on investing in themselves and their current situation, but their overall career longevity and the continued success of the plant as well. Properly understanding the long-term vision of asset ownership prior to acquisition allows for correct enhancement where necessary before operation. Rather than waiting to outfit equipment during associ- ated scheduled downtime, specific machine inspections and Preventive Maintenance (PM) tasks can be carried out ahead of time in a more detailed, less time-intensive manner. Standardizing and Optimizing Machine Configuration Through Documented Practices Properly addressing Machinery Configuration (H2P) at your site should begin prior to the acquisi- tion stage. EEM (Early Equipment Maintenance) within the realm of TPM (Total Productive Mainte- nance), FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) strategies and a MOC (Management of Change) process should be implemented to standardize and enhance asset configuration based on reliability, safety and ergonomics. While this level of practice should be the stan- dard, it is rarely the case. Establishing processes like the ones noted above and creating the correct documentation and stan- dardized practices with the ORS (Optimum Reference State) in a lubrication standards manual can work as a failsafe, improving reli- ability upon initial operation of the equipment on the plant floor. Some may be unfamiliar with the intrica- cies of utilizing ORS, but to put it simply: ORS is the prescribed state of Machinery Configuration (H2P), conditions, and maintenance activ- ities required to not only achieve, but also sustain reliability objectives set forth by the site or company. Regarding machine configuration in ORS from a lubrication standpoint, this speaks to the transformation of equipment regarding the specific lubricants, contaminant removal and exclusion options and asso- ciated hardware included on the asset to aid in maintaining it while avoiding sub-optimal or excessive states of deviation. Accurately and Timely Deploying Configura- tion Consideration to Assets As already mentioned, due to its level of importance, having a sound comprehension of what is really involved within asset optimization on the front end will pay dividends during production. As such, it is imperative to discuss in some detail the possible, viable options with regards to this pre-implementation transformational process regarding lubrication. Lubricant selection is a good starting point for lubrication-related Machinery Configuration (H2P) concerns. Ensuring the correct oil or grease is being used can be a first line of defense for preventing friction, heat and wear in the asset. OEM recommendations are generally a great starting point, but consideration must be taken to understand how temperature, contaminant ingression, industry, and your specific application should be addressed as well. Some applica- tions may require an amendment from standard mineral base stocks, additive packages or grease thick- eners depending on the nature of the ORS for that specific function. Following this process, a review of