Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1470959
of lubrication improvements started to become more obvious. "Since then, the maintenance guys have learned that we know what we're doing, and it's working," said Kevin. "So now they will say, 'hey, I noticed that bearing is a little warm — could you take a look at it?' " Roadmap to Success When Noria helps a plant make improve- ments to its lubrication program, they follow a three-phase approach of assessment, design and implementation. Phase one, the Ascend TM Assessment, is a three-day process in which a Noria expert walks the plant, capturing details of current lubrica- tion practices and procedures. en they deliver a complete report, which includes a strategic plan designed to help the plant achieve both quick wins and long-term success along with an overall score. Once Blue Buffalo's assessment was complete, it became much clearer where the lube program was going and how Noria would help make it happen. "With the Noria assessment, we just follow it like a roadmap to lead us to a better place," Kevin said. By removing the trial-and-error of building a lube program from scratch, the Ascend TM Assessment helps plants quickly determine where they stand and how to pursue their most profitable opportunities first. "It pays for itself in about a year and a half," Matt added. Lubrication Equipment & Machine Modifications With the assessment complete and the roadmap in hand, it was time to start modifying equipment, installing breathers, sight glasses and other improvements that drive reliability. "We started looking at all the products we could use to modify our equipment to have a closed system — that was a big focal point in what I wanted to do: have visual sight glasses, quick connects, fill ports, sample ports and desiccant breathers," Matt said. "Wes and Jeremie would advise me on what products were available or answer questions about installation. ey even came out for a week and just helped me work through the installs to get it all done." e lube storage room was one of the last pieces of the program to be defined as there was uncertainty on where in the plant it would be located. Matt and Kevin ultimately agreed on a large room that would be divided in two, with one half serving as the lube room. Because proper storage is at the foundation of every successful lube program, the room was equipped with all the necessary components: • Temperature control system • Labeling system • Separation of food-grade and non-food- grade lubricants (and associated hardware) • Oil Safe systems to prefilter "new" oil • Storage cabinets Having these fixtures in place upholds the integrity of a plant's lubrication program. COVER STORY 10 | May - June 2022 | www . machinerylubrication.com Scan to learn more at conference.reliableplant.com/exhibitors/ Connect with top vendors and suppliers in the Reliable Plant exhibit hall this July. With the Noria Assessment, we just follow it like a roadmap to lead us to a better place." " Without a clean and controlled space, lubricants can degrade significantly before even entering machines. Environmental contamination, temperature fluctuations or cross-contamination can all play a role. "With it being organized and everything labeled, it definitely makes it faster and easier to find what you need," Matt said. "And you're sure of what you're doing too," adds Kevin. Without clear and easy-to-read labels, lubricant mixing and misapplication run rampant in most plants, leading to unplanned downtime and potentially requiring an entire oil system to be drained, flushed and refilled. Lubrication Program Management & Optimization After the program was designed and operations began, Matt and Kevin had to determine how they would manage the program together. e plant is split into two halves of production — pre-kill, where raw