Performing a Failure Scene Investigation
Jim Fitch |
| As head of Noria's failure investigation group, I've led many interesting studies in search of failure root causes and remedies. These include missile system failures, highway accidents, helicopter crashes and turbine-generator wrecks. Most of these nearly 100 investigations were substantially hampered by errors made in collecting and preserving evidence. |
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A Simple Explanation of Viscosity Index Improvers
Jeremy Wright |
| Viscosity index (VI) is a commonly used method of measuring a fluid's change of viscosity in relation to temperature. The higher the VI, the smaller the relative change in viscosity with temperature. VI improvers (also known as viscosity modifiers) are additives that increase the viscosity of the fluid throughout its useful temperature range. |
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Thousands Certified Worldwide in Seven Years
Suzy Jamieson, ICML |
| In January 2001, almost exactly seven years to the day this article is being written, five oil analysis practitioners assembled together in Biloxi, Mississippi with a common objective: to test and prove their oil analysis skills. Although a small group, it already represented the mission of the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML): to better the lubrication and oil analysis industry globally while dignifying the professions of lubrication technicians and oil analysts worldwide. |
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Lubrication Excellence 2008: a Can't-miss Event
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| The city of Nashville, Tenn. offers many reasons to visit a location filled with history, culture and southern attractions. And on May 20 through 22, 2008, you will have one more reason to enjoy the Nashville experience: Noria Corporation presents Lean, Reliable and Lubed 2008, the premiere international event for plant management, maintenance and reliability professionals. |
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Improving Bearing Housing Protection For Small Steam Turbines
Heinz Bloch, Process Machinery Consulting |
| Lube oil application flaws and contamination are two of the major causes of bearing failures in small steam turbines. Fortunately, modern bearing protector seals can be used to prevent the influx of water (steam) and other airborne contaminants into the bearings, and the seals are readily available. These bearing protector seals incorporate either the face-on-face magnetically closed or the less expensive rotating labyrinth principles. Both choices make economic sense and merit consideration in new and existing (retrofit-to-upgrade) installations. |
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Are Synthetics Always a Wise Choice?
Mark Barnes, Noria Corporation |
| In the January-February issue of Machinery Lubrication magazine, we published an article entitled "Choosing Between Synthetic Lubricants and Conventional Oils." In this article, the author did an excellent job explaining some of the potential benefits of using synthetics lubricants. But are synthetic lubricants always a wise choice? |
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Improve Your Lube Program
Jarrod Potteiger |
| The majority of my time is spent teaching people how to improve reliability with world-class lubrication practices. Most of these professionals desire a world-class program but are simply overwhelmed by the task of transforming an average program to an exceptional status. To be honest, in many cases, I would feel the same way. |
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In Search of the Perfect Hydraulic Fluid
Brendan Casey |
| You may have conducted this experiment in school: Your science teacher gives you a plastic syringe. With the syringe full of air and the plunger retracted, she tells you to block the outlet with your finger, then attempt to push the plunger forward. You discover you are able to compress the air in the syringe by a significant amount. |
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Examining Sensor-based Condition Monitoring
John K. Duchowski, Hydac Technology Corporation |
| The complex nature of machinery in industrial environments requires sophisticated maintenance practices that continuously evolve to meet new application demands. In addition, new marketing strategies now often include service contracts that go beyond traditional warranty considerations. Consequently, the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are often directly responsible for equipment availability and reliability. |
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Developing a New Lubrication Technology
Philip Rountree, Lyon Development Corporation |
| Recently, Lyon Labs has discovered a new lubrication technology that has outperformed conventional technology in a full-scale industrial application. This article describes the differences between conventional technology and this most recent technology. |
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Understanding Solid Film Lubrication
Jeffrey F. Messick, Lubrication Technology Inc. and Nick Muzak, NM Engineered Solutions |
| Glaze-forming solid-film lubricant technology was originally developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the space shuttle program as a means of providing a journal bearing lubricant that works in an oxygenated atmosphere, in a vacuum, and functions at temperatures encountered during re-entry. The lubricants developed contain lubricative oxide material (LOM) particles that are self-lubricating in any atmosphere, as well as in a vacuum and at high environmental and frictional temperatures. |
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Tribology: the Key to Proper Lubricant Selection
Dennis A. Lauer, Kluber Lubrication |
| In the past, the lubrication requirements for a specific application could be satisfied by using general-purpose lubricants. Lubricant selection was typically based on experience and knowledge. Today, this approach is no longer viable due to the requirements of the current demanding environments to run faster, longer and hotter. Today's lubricants must satisfy extreme requirements that are specific to each application. |
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Soy Lubricants Answer the Call For Safer Products
United Soybean Board |
| Soy-based lubricants offer an alternative to traditional petroleum-based oils and greases in the marketplace. With funding support from the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff, a U.S. farmer investment organization, soybean oil has the potential to provide lubrication for many industries including the automotive, industrial and marine markets. |
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Lubricating Electric Motors
Jeremy Wright, Noria Corporation |
| In a previous article published in the November 2007 issue of Machinery Lubrication, titled "Electric Motor Lubrication", I mentioned the use of acoustic monitoring as a feedback tool for refining proper relube intervals and quantity. I have since received several requests to explain this method in further detail. This process is known as the hybrid method, and is the topic of this article. |
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Grease Goes Historic
Barbara Bellanti, Battenfeld-Grease |
| The National Lubricating Grease Institute, the trade organization for the lubricating grease industry, turns 75 this year! Come help us celebrate at the 75th NLGI annual meeting at Colonial Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. The meeting will take place June 7 through 10, 2008. Walk along the path of freedom and linger in the footsteps of the ordinary men and women who created a new country. |
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Putting Too Much Faith in Multipurpose Grease
Mark Barnes |
| Even in the most simple production environments, there is usually a reason for selecting several different greases to account for varying operating conditions, similar to using different oils. But time and time again, I find companies using one multipurpose grease, either through a lack of knowledge or misguided advice. |
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