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Transitioning to a New Lube Supplier
Tony Ransford, Plant Lubrication Coordinator,
General Motors
The incoming lube supplier must do an audit of the existing lubricants
used as well as all types of gearboxes, bearings,pumps etc. that
the lube will be used in. This double check removes errors.
Compatibility with the existing is PARAMOUNT. Ask questions.
Once this is completed, ALL lubrication points must be tagged
or otherwise identified to show where the new oil/grease goes.
New supplier should provide the tags and put them in place, if
not you may have the wrong supplier.
The tags can be color coded as can the pipes and dispense pumps.
Stencil the ID of the new lube on the pump, it should be the same
as the one on the tag and at point of fill. Make one person responsible
to work with the supplier, that person can then give a short class
on what and how the new lubes will be used.
Take this opportunity to commonize your lubricant list and reduce
cost. example:Most pillow block bearings require a grade#2 grease,
it may not be necessary to use a synthetic to meet the load and
temperature requirements, you may only need one type of grease.
See other responses
to this Readers Challenge.
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