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Developing a Motor Bearing Regreasing Strategy
Howie Nore, Millwright, Gerdau Ameristeel
1. Determine a general purpose electric motor lubricant
- Choose one that is useable for most (if not all)of the operation-
apply KISS principle.
- Work with the lubricant supplier here to determine viscosity
of base oil, thickener type needed, additive type needed or
not. Do not rely on specialty products unless you have done
your home work and are knowledgeable on the subject. It can
be learned and understood!
- Industry standard in most cases at present is Lithium Complex
thickened grease that covers most applications. This is the
grease that will determine all compatibility issues in the future
- Pass this information on to maintenance workers at first opportunity
2. Determine the proper procedure for re-greasing motors
- Reference a procedure from a lubricant or electric motor supplier,
there are many sources for this information; integrate this
as the basic plan, train all necessary people and support the
procedure so that any deviations are treated as variations of
the same basic plan.
3. Determine the frequency of re-greasing and integrate it into
the WO system
- Like the procedure, this information can be gotten from some
lubricant suppliers, electric motor suppliers or servicers,
and bearing suppliers. Again once the best system is determined
for the application, the necessary people have to be trained,
or have ready access to the information. This must also be integrated
into any maintenance management program in effect, so that re-greasing
is scheduled when it is required.
4. Do what is necessary to stabilize the operation and focus
on pure maintenance practices to prevent reliability losses
- As problems are realized over time, the shortcomings of the
"basic plan" will be revealed. Assuming things are being done
correctly now is the time to assess the program in parts and
determine if improvements can be made. Questions such as applying
specialty products or equipment that demands lubricant performance
outside the range of conventional products. Things like kilns,
dryers, hot steel handling systems which may require a synthetic
or chemical based product
5. Refine the system
- Lubrication programs are designed to avoid wear and wear promoting
conditions. They must be applied with this thought in hand.
- The easier the job is the better the chance it will be done
properly. Auto lube systems take time to assess, install and
pay for. A return on investment should be calculated in advance
of taking a major step, proper lubrication does return dollars
to an organization unfortunately in a very invisible way to
the unknowing
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