Plant efficiency through lubrication
September 1st 2008 Dow Corning offers tips to minimise costly downtime and repairs
Frequently cited studies
estimate that millions of
euros are lost due to
downtime, repairs and damaged
equipment caused by poor
lubrication. Around the world,
industrial plant managers are
looking to proper lubrication
practices to help minimize these
losses.
"Proper lubrication is essential to
a smoothly-running operation,"
says Phil Grellier, Dow Corning
global solutions development
manager. "In many cases, less
friction equals improved
performance, greater reliability and
lower costs."
For improved performance, plant
managers need only follow these
simple steps:
1) Stay informed
Lubrication products and
techniques are constantly
changing, 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 basic
courses that cover the
fundamentals of friction, lubricant
selection, storage, handling and
dispensing as well as advanced
courses that teach oil analysis,
contamination monitoring and
control, wear debris monitoring
and analysis. Some are designed
for mechanics, operators or others
who have hands-on 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, organise, staff, and support
those who do.
2) Implement an oil analysis problem
A thorough oil analysis program
can track critical wear-related
characteristics of oil in service by
comparing the results with
previous reports and noting the
trends. This will help 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.
3) 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 that 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 costly
damage caused by poor
lubrication," said Grellier. More articles from Dow Corning: | 
