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Developing a Motor Bearing Regreasing Strategy
Randy Widick, Vibration Specialist, Alcoa Inc.
I would begin by prioritizing equipment. Starting with 'critical
path' machinery, I would look up histories on failure modes to
indicate bearing related failures. I would present my finding
to management in dollars and cents (loss of equipment utilization
due to premature bearing failures). Sponsorship or support from
the top of an origination is crucial for any change in strategy
to succeed. We are not just dealing with what's right or wrong
for a motor bearing. We are dealing with a change in behavior
according to a faulty belief system (greasing motors cause more
damage than good).
I would begin collecting bearing information specific to each
motor i.e. run time, load, manufactures grease specs, etc. Next
I would determine the correct regreasing cycle and amount of lube
to add, as well as type of lubricant as per bearing requirements.
The folks responsible for greasing motors in the plant must then
be trained on how to correctly grease a motor.
Looking again at critical path equipment first, then on to the
rest, I would use vibration analysis and / or ultrasonic do determine
which component to begin the new procedure on. PM's or repetitive
work orders must be generated mandating the cycle of regreasing
including amount for each application and type of lube.
Returned work orders also serve as documentation of the procedure
being completed. Continue collecting failure data on machinery,
using the new data as a metric to indicate the success of the
new regreasing strategy. Communicate successes to both management
and production folk to keep the process going. Strategies are
necessary for improvement.
Sustaining change needs at least four components; understanding
and clearing out as much resistance to the change as possible
before implementation, the intervention (change in procedure),
measuring the effects of change, and reporting results to all
concerned.
See other responses
to this Readers Challenge.
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