Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/825468
56 | May - June 2017 | www.machinerylubrication.com BACK PAGE BASICS being allowed to enter a machine. Target cleanliness levels should be defined for all equipment, even if oil analysis isn't going to be performed. Optimum equipment reli- ability can be expected when new oil is at the target specification or cleaner. Fill It and Forget It All machinery should be examined at some point. A simple level inspection could mean life or death. It doesn't take much fluctuation of the oil level in most small reservoirs to start seeing a negative impact on the internal components. Put PMs and inspections in place so they become standard practice for servicing the "forgotten" equipment. Volume Control Although this was not addressed directly in the bad practices, it is critical to maintain a precise oil level in small reservoirs. Under- filled units can lead to lubricant starvation and machine failure. Overfilled sumps can result in unnecessary seal leakage or foaming of the oil. Even a monthly inspection is better than nothing. Most manufacturers will specify how much oil the reservoir should take. The proper oil level should also be clearly identified on the sight glass. Visual Inspection A good sight glass will aid in maintaining a precise oil level. Before an inspection, the sight glass should be cleaned for an accurate reading. Newer sight glass styles allow a 360-degree view of the oil level, which can yield better inspection results. A bottom sediment and water (BS&W) bowl may also be helpful. It can offer telltale signs of water contamination, sludge or wear. If oil analysis is not going to be performed, this simple device can provide an early detection of potential problems. Contamination Control Along with cleaning the oil before it goes into the machine, there must be a way to control the environmental elements. Proper headspace management will be key. In humid places, washdown applications or even outdoor equipment, a desiccant breather is an excellent option. While particle contami - nation is the No. 1 cause of lubricant-related equipment failure, moisture should not be overlooked. If moisture is not a threat to your machinery, a particle breather may be used. However, not all headspace manage- ment is created equal. Look for the micron rating to confirm that the breather you select will provide the needed protection. Sampling It's uncommon to sample smaller reser- voirs simply because the cost may be comparable to or more than an oil change. Still, less periodic sampling can offer certain benefits. For example, I had a set of 20 gear- boxes that required a synthetic lubricant. With all the gearboxes the same, I wanted to see if extending the oil change interval from one to two years would be possible. By collecting a few drain samples from the gear- boxes, I was able to prove that the drain interval could be extended. At other times, the piece of equipment may be critical. If frequent sampling is to occur, hard sampling devices should be installed for more consistent results. Quick Connects Having the right tools for the job makes it that much easier. Sometimes a funnel and an S&R container just aren't enough. For harsh environments, a quick connect should be considered. Quick connects can be retrofitted to an S&R container for easy filling. This greatly reduces the number of contaminants that enter the system while filling. Training While all these tips can help any plant keep its smaller reservoirs topped up, it eventually boils down to the people performing the work. Without proper training, the same bad prac - tices will continue because the individuals don't understand the impact they have on the equip- ment's reliability. If your organization relates more to the bad practices than the good ones, it's time to step back and re-evaluate the way you manage lubri - cation. It's not a total loss. There is hope. Take a look around your plant and talk with the indi- viduals on the floor doing the work. Develop a plan and address some of the bigger outlying issues. Remember, it's not always the critical equipment that holds up production. About the Author Garrett Bapp is a technical consultant with Noria Corporation, focusing on machinery lubrication and maintenance in support of Noria's Lubrication Program Development (LPD). He is a certified lubrication specialist through the Society of Tribologists and Lubri- cation Engineers (STLE) and holds a Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT) Level II certi- fication through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML). Contact Garrett at gbapp@noria.com to learn how Noria can help you implement best practices for topping up equipment at your plant. Purchase enough S&R containers to get your team accustomed to using them. If the right tools are readily available, good practices will follow.