Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/431954
8 | November - December 2014 | www.machinerylubrication.com how to routinely extract critical reliability information from lubri- cants by asking a series of precise questions. The answers will relate to the health of the machine, the oil and the contaminants it contains. Lube analysts interface with others in the lubrication field as well as analysts in vibration, thermography, acoustics, etc. Often this individual is skilled in many of the other condition-mon- itoring technologies, further leveraging the synergy these trades have when combined. Machinery Lubrication and Reliability Engineers Lubrication engineers are the mentors to lubrication techni- cians. They have a desk job but spend the majority of their time trying to translate what is written in engineering textbooks to what works well on the plant floor. They are a technical resource for others who need specific lubrication information. While the lube tech is out in the field practicing world-class maintenance and lubrication, the lubrication engineer is responsible for identifying the optimum reference state for equipment, documenting the procedures and training the staff so everyone is operating with the same expectations. Lubrication Management Professionals In the past, this role would have been part of a maintenance manager's duties, but today it requires an individual's full-time, undivided attention. Unlike the positions mentioned previously, which are technical careers, the lubrication management profes- sional advances along a management path. Those who are cut out for management with lubrication training have a real oppor- tunity at large plants, mills and fleet organizations as companies increasingly pull lubrication into the forefront of maintenance and operations. In less than 10 years, the lubrication field has gone from oilers to professional careers focused on the intricacies of lubrication and oil analysis. What do the next 10 years have in store? Will being the "lube guy" require a stint at the local university to learn the knowl- edge necessary to bring value to the company? Obviously, technology will advance. When will the lubrication technician carry a pocket-sized oil analyzer that can rival today's offsite laborato- ries? Those days are coming, and with the realization of the value that these seemingly simple tasks can bring to an organization, they are coming at an exponential rate. About the Author Jeremy Wright is the vice president of technical ser vices for Noria Corporation. He ser ves as a senior technical consultant for Lubrication Program Development projects and as a senior instructor for Noria's Machinery Lubrication I and II training courses. He is a certified mainte- nance reliability professional through the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals, and holds Machine Lubricant Analyst Level III and Machine Lubrication Technician Level II certifications through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication. Contact Jeremy at jwright@noria.com. FROM THE FIELD