26
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November - December 2022
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machinerylubrication.com
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Factor:
A4P — Sampling Tools &
Methods
Level:
Platform (P)
Stage:
Sampling Tools &
Methods
About:
Accurate sampling is
critical when developing
a lubrication analysis
program. Inaccurate
samples can lead to
incorrect decisions
regarding machine
performance.
More about this
ASCEND
™
Factor
Onsite Labs vs. Offsite Labs:
Which is Best for My Lube Program?
With facilities running
on le a ne r s t a f f,
increased run times
and the expectation
of fewer failures, quality data from
lubricant analysis has only grown in
importance. By looking at the data
contained within an oil or a grease
sample, we can determine if the
lubricant and the machine are still
healthy and ultimately make main-
tenance decisions that impact one
or both. With many organizations
pushing for data-driven decisions
based upon machine condition
(rather than a static time interval),
lubricant analysis is being relied
upon more heavily. We are in an age
where we are used to finding, in near
real-time, the information we use to
make choices on everything from
what product we buy off the internet
to where we are going to eat. is
has also made its way into mainte-
nance, and now more professionals
are looking with renewed interest at
a question that has existed for some
time: should we perform our lubri-
cant analysis in-house or rely on a
commercial laboratory?
For more mature programs, there
is often a desire to bring the majority
of the testing in-house or to have the
ability to do some analysis to deter-
mine if there could be problems with
equipment or lubricants. While this
can be incredibly beneficial, there are
downsides as well.
As is the case for most improve-
ment projects, there would need to
be a cost-benefit analysis or, even
more simply, a pros and cons list.
If we were to provide that for most
facilities, it might look something
like the following (far from exhaus-
tive, but a good starting ground to
understand the impacts).
Factor: A4P
CONDITION MONITORING, LUBRICANT ANALYSIS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
Wes Cash | Noria Corporation
