Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1470959
14 | May - June 2022 | www . machinerylubrication.com How Important is Oil Level Control in Optimizing Bearing, G ear and Engine Reliability? Condition Monitoring, Lubricant Analysis & Troubleshooting LUBRICANT SELECTION Factor: S4M O f te n t i me s i n machinery lubrication, we preach precision lubric ation. W hat exactly does that mean? Regarding the act of lubricating, it means utilizing meticulous calculations to determine the most accurate lubri- cant type, volumes and frequencies needed to reach optimal machine performance and machinery life. e goal of any lubrication program across the board is to decrease down- time and machinery failures. Here is where I would like to point out some of the obvious and not-so-obvious key players in precision lubrication, one of which is proper lubricant level (volume). What is the proper lubricant level, and why is that specific amount the "proper level?" The proper level is simply the level that allows for optimal performance of the compo- nent. What is optimal performance? It is the point where your machine will have the maximum extended lubricant life and component life. ere are a couple of key variables used to decide the correct amount of oil: • Size — Whether it is a bearing, gearbox, motor, pump or hydraulic system, size plays a key role in deciding how much lubricant a component should receive. Larger bearing sizes in greased applications will obvi- ously take a larger amount of grease; larger reservoirs in oiled applications require larger volumes of oil. This is the no-brainer of lubricant levels. • Speed — Speed affects grease application volumes somewhat differently than oiled applica- tions due to lubricant dispersion needs and required film thick- ness. For instance, a slow-moving greased bearing will more than likely need to have the grease packed into the bearing at a higher volume during installa- tion because the grease will not be properly dispersed due to the low speed. Slightly less will be required on a higher speed bearing where the grease will be m o r e e a s i l y d i s p e r s e d throughout the bearing a lot quicker. However, the load and the speed will affect the viscosity needed for proper lubrication. As far as oiled applications go, Learn More: noria.com/ascend/ Factor: S4M — Consolidation and Optimization Level: Management & Training (M) Stage: Consolidation & Optimization About: Establishing a lubricant consolidation process of optimizing the number and types of lubricants used will assist in keeping up with ever- evolving lubrication requirements without affecting machine performance or security. More about this ASCEND ™ Factor Paul Farless | Noria Corporation