Machinery Lubrication April 2021

Most lubrication professionals understand the importance of metrics as well as the importance of getting the right lubricant from the start, but most fall woefully short in ensuring these activities are scrutinized with any level of detail. As programs evolve and advance, they begin to track and score application, cleanliness, failure rate-the list goes on.

We expect lubricants to arrive on-site as they were advertised at the time of purchase: having the proper viscosity, base oil, performance characteristics, and last but certainly not least, the ability to meet certain contamination cleanliness targets. However, assuming every lubricant that arrives on the dock meets those expectations would not be reasonable-in fact, it would be dangerous.

As we begin to review site lubrication processes, let’s take a look at those associated with Lubrication Handling Tasks (H1P). As the number of individuals performing these tasks increases, we begin to see increasing opportunities for variance to occur. Identifying these needlessly distributed practices and acting on them with controlled administrative measures is imperative

Today, machines still suffer unexpected failures and millions of dollars are lost in downtime and whether in that marvelous new era to come or in the current one, machines will still age and will ultimately be replaced.

Keeping possible contamination sources away from lubricated equipment is the best line of defense against contaminants entering machine parts. It is significantly more difficult and expensive to remove contaminants from the system than it is to modify and protect equipment against contaminant ingression in the first place.

Traditionally, acid number (AN) has been measured by direct-read instruments reliant on chemometrics. However, conventional Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrometers used for condition monitoring can now also be used for AN determination.

The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) marks its 20th anniversary of continuous operation this year with several ongoing activities and recognition opportunities. The nonprofit organization began its longstanding certification program for lubrication and oil analysis practitioners in January, 2001.

We all know leaks make a mess. Why do they keep happening? How do we know if a leak is something to be concerned about or if it is just commonplace for plant equipment? Well, given that rotating equipment and lubricated equipment are practically synonymous, oil leaks can be more common than we would like. Thus, understanding the risks associated with an oil leak is important.

Bradley Arrasmith has spent the last 15 years at Novelis Corporation working in different areas of the plant. He transitioned to a lubrication specialty and is already looking forward to his second ICML certification.