Machinery Lubrication

Machinery Lubrication November-December 2017

Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation

Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/902206

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 52 of 88

48 | November - December 2017 | www . machinerylubrication.com Which factor plays more of a role in breather selection: the sump head- space above the oil level, ambient conditions like high humidity or a dusty environ - ment, the machine type (mobile unit or fixed installation), the type of oil and its application, or the oil's cleanliness requirement?" Desiccant breathers are great contamination control accessories for machines that would other- wise be breathing in dirty, wet air. ese devices allow for the air being ingressed by the machine to be cleaned of particulate matter and also dried to help control the amount of water in the oil. is becomes very important in critical machinery as well as those that are in harsh environments where the oil may become contaminated and break down quickly. ese breathers have a partic- ulate filter phase and a moisture absorption phase. Both of these phases are essential not only for the health of the lubricant but also for the health of the machinery. "Can you offer any advice on selecting desiccant breathers for gearboxes in the mining industry? "What are the top three characteristics you look for when considering an oil analysis laboratory (i.e., turnaround time, price, quality, capabilities, etc.)?" Selecting an oil analysis laboratory can be daunting if you don't know where to begin. Once you make the decision to initialize an oil analysis program at your plant or to find a quality lab other than the one offered by your oil supplier, there are several important factors to consider. e following three attributes will be key to building a successful relationship with your oil analysis lab. Quality of Testing Many laboratories struggle to meet their customers' expecta- tions because of mishaps in testing procedures. A quality lab will make efforts to follow ASTM or ISO test procedures in order to maintain the utmost accuracy in analysis interpre- tation. Be sure to find out whether there will be any deviations to the standardized test procedures, which should be followed for all types of testing instruments. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions. Data Interpretation An oil analysis report is not intended to be just a sheet of paper with raw data results. ese tests can be quite complicated, so it may not be easy to determine an obvious concern, let alone an inconspic- uous or unusual one. e best oil analysis reports come complete with a full analysis interpretation summary. This should not be computer-generated but tailored by a specialist. e report should also have graphs that show trend data, along with a comparison to the baseline, as well as critical and cautionary limits. Finally, the report should feature a layout that is easy to understand. Customer Service e services an oil analysis labo- ratory offers should go beyond those relating simply to the oil samples. e individual in charge of receiving the reports at the plant should be in frequent communication with those who interpret data at the lab to collaborate on possible explanations for data anomalies and to obtain expert advice on determining the best course of action. e laboratory should also offer a hotline to provide quality customer service whenever you need it. Please note that price is not included in this list, as you should expect the cost of laboratory services to remain competitive. Also, in regard to price, it is important to keep in mind that a single machine failure that is avoided through oil analysis can justify an entire year or more of the oil analysis program. ASK THE EXPERTS

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Machinery Lubrication - Machinery Lubrication November-December 2017