Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/847153
program. It is defined as analysis of vibra- tion monitoring data to track the characteristic changes in rotating machinery caused by imbalance, misalign- ment, bent shaft, mechanical looseness, faults in gear drives, defects in rolling-ele- ment bearings and/or sleeve bearings, or more commonly referred to as the move- ment of a body about its reference position. There are several advantages of using these technologies. The greatest is the amount of money you can save. Since the bearings are receiving precisely the correct amount of grease, lubrication-related bearing failures will decrease, potentially reducing unscheduled downtime. Less down - time equals more profit. Savings can also be realized in motor and equipment repair costs as well as in decreased lubricant usage. CHANGE YOUR CULTURE Through the application of these tech- nologies, you can confirm the quantity of grease that a bearing requires for optimal performance. However, be sensitive to experienced craftsmen while proving that overgreasing is a real problem. It is hard to argue that "we do it this way because we have always done it this way" when there is a precision-measuring tool telling you otherwise. Remind these veteran workers that new bearing manufacturers are creating tighter tolerances that require more precise lubrication methods. In respect to these new lubrication methods, technicians need to remember the six "Rs" — the right type, right time, right quantity, right place, right way and right condition. The right type of lubricant accounts for the grade, base oil viscosity, additives, pumpability, load, speed and thickener type. When calculating time and quantity, use the formulas mentioned previously. In regards to the right place, you need to ensure that the lubricant can handle the environmental factors it will face, such as moisture, temperature and vibration. The right way of lubricating equipment will be crucial to its longevity. Remember, some grease guns may create extreme pressures that can blow out supply lines and/or seals. The right condition of the lubricant refers to its age, if the base oil has started "bleeding" from the thickener and how clean the grease is entering the component. Just because the grease in the gun is new and clean, don't forget to make sure the tip of the gun is clean as well as the grease fitting. The more you lubricate a bearing, the greater the chances of introducing particles into it. Once these microscopic particles get into the bearing, they wreak havoc on the precision-machined surfaces. Too much of anything is a bad thing, and you can lubricate something too much. Bearings are designed to operate with a certain amount of grease in them. Put in too much, and they will fail earlier than expected. It is never too late to start your cultural transformation. In fact, you should start today. Just pace yourself. The road ahead is a long one. Stay positive and focus on the old saying of "slow and steady wins the race." Increasing the life of components, decreasing downtime and being good stew- ards of the environment by not creating puddles of grease will help the bottom line of any facility, but getting there involves all workers. When every employee thinks about reliability to the same degree as others do about safety or cost controls, you will have reached a new level of trustworthy operations. Then, and only then, can leaders or stewards say they have achieved their goal of reliable and safe facilities. This is an ongoing discussion at our mill with maintenance personnel explaining why bearings receive different amounts of grease. It is only through sharing this knowledge that we can start to persevere and attain lubrica- tion excellence. 12 | July - August 2017 | www.machinerylubrication.com COVER STORY