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Prevent Costly Downtime and Repairs
Without a proper lubrication program, plant managers run the risk of lost revenue through downtime, repair and damaged equipment, in addition to poor reliability and high energy consumption due to friction, noise and vibration. To maintain peak production efficiency, plant managers and personnel should follow these simple steps.
Be Informed about Machinery Lubrication
Lubrication products and techniques change constantly, which means you need to stay informed. Knowledge about your lubrication system is one of the most important ways a plant manager and staff can prevent costly downtime and repairs.
Many suppliers offer half-day, one-day or two-day seminars in machinery lubrication practices. Some are designed for mechanics, operators or others who have direct and daily responsibility for lubrication. Others provide a best practices overview for managers and supervisors who don’t require technical expertise but need enough information to plan, organize, staff, and support those who do.
From introductory courses that cover the fundamentals of friction and the basics of lubricant selection, storage, handling and dispensing to advanced courses that teach oil analysis, contamination monitoring and control, and wear debris monitoring and analysis, the best lubricant suppliers offer training classes onsite or off-site to help you achieve best practices.
Implement an Oil Analysis Program
Essential to extending the working life of lubricants is the implementation of a thorough oil analysis program that tracks critical wear-related characteristics of oil in service by comparing the results with previous reports and noting the trends. Such a program helps identify contamination, lubricant degradation, abnormal machine wear and problems with sampling. It also can transform a lubrication program from time-based to condition-based, eliminating unnecessary changes.
Find a Qualified Lubricant Specialist
A good lubricant supplier should provide the training and tools needed to properly maintain your production line, in addition to a comprehensive product line that fills all your lubrication needs. Plant managers should expect a comprehensive suite of services from their supplier to facilitate their lubrication management. If your supplier does not offer seminars in machinery lubrication or an effective oil analysis program, find one who does.
With a working knowledge of the basics of machinery lubrication and careful attention to the applications and conditions of their lubricants, plant managers can be well-equipped to prevent the costly damage caused by poor lubrication.
About the Author
Phil Grellier is a global solutions development manager for Dow Corning Molykote.
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