Author: micro-admin-commerce

Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing A Lubricant

Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing A Lubricant The right choice of lubricant has a huge effect on the way your machinery operates. Machinery is the backbone of many businesses and it is imperative to choose the right maintenance ingredients to keep them running efficiently. One of the best ways to keep your machines maintained is by hiring experienced and professional industrial lubricant suppliers to help you select the right lubricant for your machinery. Let’s now see why it is important that you select a suitable lubricant for your industrial machinery.

The Composition

The composition of a lubricant needs to be ideal to ensure the seamless functionality of your machines. A suitably composed lubricant can benefit the machinery and serve its desired purpose. An ill composed lubricant will neither benefit the machinery nor meet your expectations. As a result of an inaccurate choice of a lubricant, you will not achieve the desired results from the lubrication process. You must, therefore, look at the composition and the purpose for which a particular lubricant has been made. Selecting a lubricant randomly can cost you a lot of money and in some cases may also result in machine failure.

The Purpose Or Function It Performs

Different lubricants have different purposes and capabilities. When selecting a lubricant for your machinery, you need to be careful. Make sure the purpose or function of the lubricant is according to your needs. If you select the right lubricant with a suitable purpose and function, you will get the desired results. It is imperative that you know which lubricant you need and whether the lubricant you are buying has the characteristics you need to serve your purpose.

The Machine You Need The Lubricant For

The type of machine will also determine which lubricant you need to choose. For instance, conveyor chains need different kinds of lubricants compared to a crushing machine. You must consider your machines and their functionality. This will ensure maximum performance and will optimize the operations of your machinery. Choosing the right lubricant will also prevent heavy repairs in the long run. In addition to this, experts advise that you also factor in the age of the machine while choosing a lubricant. New machines need rather mild lubricants, whereas old machinery will require more composed lubricants to keep the old metal alive.

Cost Effectiveness

While choosing a lubricant, ensure it lies within your budget. Don’t go for premium lubricants if you don’t believe you will be able to afford it in the future. Try to reach for sustainable practices. However, at this point it is important to note that compromising on the quality of the lubricant because of its price is not very intelligent. Selecting the right lubricant will affect the way your machine operates in the long run. Micro-Lube offers a wide variety of lubrication products to match your lubrication needs precisely and accurately. We have specialized and trained professionals who suggest the best possible lubrication solutions to solve your problems. Our experts also give you the best suitable lubrication program for your machines to ensure you use the right lubricants. To get in touch with us, click here.

How A Proper Lubrication Program Can Help The Manufacturing Industry

How A Proper Lubrication Program Can Help The Manufacturing Industry The manufacturing industry holds a key position in the economy and well-being of a country. The role of a proper lubrication program designed by professional industrial lubricant suppliers is a significant part of the manufacturing industry. It enables them to keep the health of their machines in check and manufacture the products to meet the end consumers’ requirements.

Ensures Business Continuity

A proper and adequate lubrication program plays an important role in helping a manufacturing business running with continuity. To keep the business running and to develop a brand name, it is important that the manufacturing facility keeps producing its products at an average speed. Ensuring this will not only lead to employees getting paid on time, but also develop a sense of satisfaction around the workplace. Moreover, the company will have the space and capacity to develop and manufacture new products periodically. The proper lubrication of machines in an industry prevents any issues in the long run. Since these machines are quite expensive, faults and issues caused by scarce maintenance can be a huge economical blow. Thus, ensuring their regular maintenance and lubrication will prevent breakdowns and other similar issues.

Keeps Productivity Levels High

The production rate of your machines has great implications on the supply chain. If a manufacturer’s machinery keeps on wearing down again and again due to improper lubrication, it gets difficult to meet requirements. Lubricating your machinery on time plays a crucial role in minimizing the chances of damage to the machinery and the consequent loss of productivity. Lubricants keep the machine working at a rapid pace without disruptions.

Avoid Damage To The Machinery

A correctly implemented lubrication program ensures no damage to the internal components of the machinery. Hence, the machines remain in good condition keeping the manufacturing rate stable. The production rate is kept to meet the supply chain’s demands. The smooth running of the machine’s components working in close contact with each other, results in less or no wear and tear. In this way, the machine avoids internal damage and keeps on working efficiently. When there is no damage to the machinery, there is no danger of disruptions.

Keeps The Economy Rolling

Due to a proper lubrication program, the machines are able to keep on producing products at a stable rate. This helps to develop a stable pay structure and supply chain. It keeps the economy rolling and circulating the money to relevant sectors directly and indirectly. Surprisingly, many people are unaware of the benefits of an effective lubrication program and the results of its proper implementation in the industry.

Enhances Machinery Lifespan

One of the most direct effects of proper lubrication is on the enhancement of the machinery’s life. When you filter or replace the lubricant on time, it avoids the damage to the machine’s internals. Consequently, increasing a machine’s lifespan. In addition to its longer lifespan, the business saves money on repairs. With proper lubrication, irreversible damage can be avoided.

Motivates Manufacturers

A proper lubrication program designed and implemented by industrial lubricant suppliers keeps the business and its machines rolling. It also keeps business owners motivated to do more and improve their business manifolds. When business owners struggle to enable their machines to continue producing goods, they cannot focus on the other matters of growing their business. Proper lubrication can give business owners the peace of mind they need to go the extra mile and take their businesses to the next level. Micro-Lube is a professional and experienced industrial lubricant supplier in Edmonton. We have a complete range of high-end lubricants to suit your lubrication needs. To get in touch with us, click here.

Things To Consider While Dispensing A Lubricant

Things To Consider While Dispensing A Lubricant If you think that buying a lubricant and storing it is all you need to focus on, this is not entirely true. Oil dispensing is also an essential part of lubricant handling. Most people ignore it because it may be the last step after procuring and storing the lubricant in a suitable place within your industrial facility.

Use A State Of The Art Dispensing System

The first thing you need to ensure before dispensing your lubricant is to buy the best dispensing system. This will ensure that you can transfer the lubricant from the storage location to the machinery safely. Moreover, it ensures that you transfer the correct quantity to the machinery to enable it to function perfectly.

Avoid Any Spilling

Most incidents that happen during the dispensing of a lubricant involve spilling. This happens when a substandard dispensing system or other equipment is used. There are more chances of spilling the lubricant on the floor before it reaches its destination. When you spill the lubricant, it costs you money and causes a delay in the machinery’s operation. Consequently, the business may suffer a significant loss. In addition to the economic loss and hampered business continuity, spilling the lubricant increases the threats of slips and falls. Using quality oil dispensing equipment and following its SOP’s strictly will enable you to efficiently conduct the dispensing of the lubricant to its machinery.

Avoid Lubricant Contamination

Another significant element to take care of is to ensure that you don’t expose the lubricants to any contamination. Keeping the lubricant contamination-free during the storage and dispensing process is critical in an efficient lubrication program. Once the lubricant is contaminated, it is almost impossible to make it reusable again. Once it loses its purity and integrity it’s game over. This is why it is crucial to ensure that no contamination like dust, water, chemicals, or other types of harmful materials come in contact with the lubricant.

Ensuring The Right Lubricant In The Right Machine

You can’t afford to put the wrong lubricant in a machine. It will destroy the performance of the machinery and may also cause damage to its components. You need to be very watchful when handling and storing the lubricants in your industrial facility. You can carefully label the lubricant containers to avoid any mistakes by your staff members responsible for the lubricants dispensing, maintaining, and handling. A slight mistake while dispensing the lubricant to the machine can cause severe damage to the machinery and the business. The working conditions of your machine like its temperature and workload will determine which lubricant will perform best. If you use the wrong lubricant by mistake, it may not serve the purpose.

Following The Timeline Strictly

Last but not least is to follow the proper timeline for every machine. Dispensing the lubricant from the machine on time is as crucial as anything else we have discussed above. This is because delaying the replacement of a lubricant can deteriorate the condition and performance of your machinery. The longer you keep a lubricant in storage, the higher the chances of contamination, expiring, and other types of damage. Following the deadlines of the lubrication program ensures the efficiency and productivity of the lubricant and the machinery. Micro-Lube is the most experienced lubricant provider in Edmonton. We offer a complete range of lubricants and help you make and implement an effective lubrication program. To get in touch with us, click here.

5 Different Types Of Grease Used In Industrial Applications

Industrial machinery requires grease for its effective and smooth running. This is due to the grease’s ability to reduce the friction between various components and parts of these machines and allow them to run smoothly. In addition to this, greases are also used for vessels and vehicles. Each type of grease is manufactured differently, and no two greases are similar. These unique properties allow each type of grease to have different functions. Grease contains thickener, base oil, and additives. What sets them apart from one another is the additive. Some greases are designed for high speed, while others are designed for high pressure.

Uses Of Grease

Traditionally, grease was used to keep vessels, vehicles, machines, and their components lubricated at all times; now, they serve other purposes as well. Due to their versatility, greases or lubricants have found a wide-range of applications across industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, mining, steel, construction, marine, the farming industry, and so on. Continue reading our post to find out more about the different types of grease used in industrial applications.

Different Greases & Their Applications

Lithium Grease

Lithium grease is a multipurpose grease and is commonly known for its high viscosity, durability, and stability. Its design provides long-lasting protection against corrosion, extreme temperatures, oxidation, as well as wear and tear. These greases are known for their high water resistance, excellent lubrication, long-lasting performance, smooth running, and ability to withstand shock loads and high pressure. They are suitable for multiple applications, such as bearings, chassis, winches, automotive, axle arrangements, industrial, gardening, household, and other metal-to-metal applications.

Calcium Grease

One of the first greases to be manufactured for general use was Calcium grease. A high-temperature environment or activity affects its structure, resulting in reduced capability. Thus, it is well-suited only for low-temperature environments. Some of its key features include great mechanical stability, water resistance, and corrosion protection by smoothening friction. Its water resistance makes it a suitable option for marine use. Other applications of calcium grease include automotive, agriculture, and industrial.

Polyurea Grease

Polyurea grease gained popularity due to its outstanding water-resistant capability, oxidation, mechanical stability, rust and corrosion prevention, durability, versatility, and high-temperature performance. These properties make polyurea grease suitable for life-long applications across various industries. Polyurea grease is considered vital for the proper lubrication of electric motor bearings, CV joints, pulleys, and steel plants among machine owners. Also, due to the absence of soap, it is recommended for low noise applications.

Bentone Grease

It is a clay-based, non-soap grease developed with bentonite clay. This grease type has no known dropping point and is called a non-melt lubricant. It has high-temperature resistance as it can retain its stability at any temperature. It has great mechanical or shear stability, exceptional water tolerance, and impressive adhesiveness. Its high viscosity provides effective protection for bearings and is ideal for highly demanding applications. It is typically used in the steel, construction, manufacturing, ceramic, and mining industries.

Sodium Grease

Sodium grease is formulated by mixing soda soap with base oils and additives and has a fibrous texture. This mixture provides good mechanical or shear stability, good rust protection, a high dropping point, and good lubrication. However, it has poor water resistance and oxidation stability. Due to these shortcomings, sodium grease is now mostly used for lubricating wheel bearings. It is a low-cost grease as it requires mixing with other greases to produce a higher quality grease for satisfactory results. Micro-Lube has been in the lubrication industry for years. We offer the best range of lubricants and related products, including filtration systems, dispensing, storage, and more. To learn more about us, click here. Related blog:  Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System    

4 Different Lubrication Methods For Conveyor Chains

4 Different Lubrication Methods For Conveyor Chains Machinery has to undergo a lot of work and resistance. It badly impacts their life and performance capability. The corrosion of a machine can limit the horsepower capacity of its chain drives, thereby reducing their potential and usage. Lubricating the machinery becomes an important part of keeping it in good condition for a long time. Tensile, fatigue, and wear can affect the performance of the conveyor chains. The tensile causes stretches in the chain that can affect its performance or pull it apart. It also causes microscopic cracks in the sidebars and link plates. This wear combined with corrosion and abrasion degrades the life of the conveyor chain, and ultimately, the chain breaks. Lubrication can positively affect the conveyor chains’ performance and enhance its functioning. This blog post mentions how lubrication can positively impact the conveyor chain and the different types of lubrication methods.

How Does Lubrication Positively Impacts The Conveyor Chain?

Proper lubrication and the usage of the right kind of lubricant can improve the lifespan of the conveyor chain. It can increase its lifespan by as much as 100 times. The wear percent in comparison to the life of the chain increases when lubrication is provided on time. Lubrication greatly reduces the coefficient of friction between the sliding surfaces that helps in the reduction of wear and tear. It impedes rust and corrosion and provides a cushion for impact loads. Moreover, it also helps to flush away any foreign matter such as dust.

Different Types Of Lubrication Methods For Conveyor Chains

Manual Lubrication

This involves manually adding the lubricant into the inner and outer link plate of the chain. Manual lubrication is done using an oil can, brush, and aerosol spray. You should do manual lubrication almost every day to ensure that the machine is working fine. Manual lubrication is a cost-effective solution for lubrication. However, it impacts productivity, and the chances of injury are higher.

Oil Bath Lubrication

In this method, there is oil in the chain basin. A small section of the chain passes through this section of oil. The bottom of the chain should be fully immersed in this oil. However, it should not be too deep or too shallow as it will affect the oil and cause oxidation.

Drip Lubrication

Oil is supplied by drip-feeding in this type of lubrication method. The oil is dripped between the link plates and sidebar edges at a rate of four to twenty drops per minute. The amount of oil and frequency is very important. Otherwise, it will form a reddish-brown discoloration in the chains’ joints. This method is suitable for machinery with spatial constraints. However, you should be careful with drip lubrication as the drains plug can leak, and the oil can spill. Ensure that the flow rate is properly specified and the oil is directed to the chain in this lubrication method.

Force-Feed Lubrication

In this type of lubrication method, the feeding pump and oil pipe supply the spray of oil to the chains’ parts. The gearing places of the chain and the spray nozzles should be near each other. This method is ideal for machines with large horsepower, heavily loaded drives, and high speed. The force-feed method is costly but effective. Other Lubrication Methods For Chain Conveyor are:
  • Oil ring lubrication
  • Brush lubrication
  • Oil stream or spray lubrication

About Micro-Lube

At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. If you need diverse lubricants, contact us for more information about our lubricants and similar services.

What Makes Lubrication A Necessity For Machinery?

What Makes Lubrication A Necessity For Machinery If you have ever thought that lubricating your industrial machinery is an option and not something that is necessary, then you might want to revisit your opinion. Proper lubrication is not an option but a compulsion. It is pivotal for your machinery and your business continuity that you follow a proper lubrication program. Keeping track of which lubricant suits your machinery and when you should replace the lubricant is crucial for business’s efficiency and the protection of your machinery from wear and tear. Here is why your machinery can’t afford to have an insufficient quality or quantity of lubricant.

Slows Down The Machinery

When a lubricant is not suitable for the machinery, it slows it down. When the machinery does not get high-quality lubrication, it does not remain capable of performing at the maximum speed. Whether the lubricants replacement is due, or the quantity of the lubricant is low in the machine, the efficiency of that machine is affected. A lubricant plays the role of an energy source for the machine. It keeps your machine’s components working correctly and avoids them damaging themselves. The cost and time proper lubrication takes are negligible compared to the consequent cost you will have to pay if your machinery fails due to improper lubrication.

Low Production Rate

Improper lubrication can also cause a low production rate. The machine can face internal wear and tear due to a non-suitable lubricant. When the components start rubbing against each other, and the lubricant cannot reduce friction between them, it causes damage. This damage can reduce the ability of the machinery to maintain its production rate. What becomes more dangerous is that this problem usually goes unnoticed for a considerable time. When the issue becomes evident, it is too late for any remedy. This is why it is very critical to keep a close eye on the lubrication of your machinery. Otherwise, you will have to tolerate the slow and hampered production rate. Consequently, your clients will have complaints as they will not be happy with the delayed production and shipment. In the case of a slow production rate, you will start losing business. Slight negligence can cause you and your business a lot of time. It is better to make the necessary decisions in time before things get out of control.

Affected Business Continuity

Improper lubrication affects your business continuity badly. If you don’t replace, filter, or refill the lubricant on time, it can cost you a lot. Your machinery can break down. Business continuity is the most crucial thing for a business owner. You can’t afford your business to stop producing goods because of some negligence towards lubricating the machinery properly. It is a dire need for every business that its machinery keeps on running. Especially when we are talking about something that can be easily avoided, all you need to do is hire the best lubrication experts near you. They can guide you on what to do and ensure you do what your machinery requires. All you need is to do what the experts suggest to you. Experts make all the important decisions such as how much quality of the lubricant you need, when to replace it and when to filter them. This is how you can avoid the wear and tear of your machinery and promise business continuity. Micro-Lube is the best industrial lubricants supplier in Edmonton. You can trust in our experience, vast range of products and expertise in the field. We provide you with the best quality lubricants and give you sincere opinions and consultancy to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity. To get in touch with us, click here.

What You Should Know About Lubrication Identification Tags

What You Should Know About Lubrication Identification Tags Using the right kind of lubricant for your machine is essential to ensure its long life and better functioning. You must be sure that you are putting the required lubricant in the right machine. Even daily workers might get confused when working with tons of lubrication types and end up using the wrong lubricant. Using the wrong lubricant on a machine can cause costly damages. For this reason, you must put identification tags on your lubricants. Lubrication identification is a crucial element in successful industrial operations. Many organizations emphasize using the right lubricant through lubrication tags, while others don’t use it at all. This blog post mentions what you need to know about lubrication identification tags.

What Is A Lubrication Identification Tag?

Identifying lubricants with their tags has made it easier to select the right lubricant for a particular machine. Lubrication identification tags are a type of identification tag with color-coding, numbering, shape, and other features that help to identify a type of lubricant. Color-coding is quite an effective strategy for identification. However, using only a color is not effective at identifying lubricants. As more and more categories become available, you will need more clarification to distinguish them. Nowadays, lubrication identification tags use shapes, colors, numbers, thickener types, and alphanumeric codes. This will all depend on the organization and what method they decide to use to identify their lubricants. Therefore, each organization will have its own idea of identification. Many are considering the combination of shape with color to increase the span of identifying lubricants. A lubricants identification tag can include:
  • A general shape to identify the lubricants type
  • The Alphabet for thickener type
  • Alphanumeric code for lubrication identification
  • Viscosity grade consistency number
  • Code for lubrication classification

Weighing The Pros And Cons Of Lubrication Identification Tags

There are a handful of pros and cons of lubrication identification tags. The most important benefit is that it gives a unique identification to each kind of lubricant. It minimizes the chance of cross-contamination or using the wrong lubricant for particular machinery. It can avoid the cost of flushing. The usage of the right kind of lubricant can prolong the life of your machines. When there are numbers specified in a sequence for each lubricant, it will reduce the confusion of mislabeled lab samples. Furthermore, you can reuse your existing containers to put the same type of lubricant in it again and label them with their tags. However, there are some cons as well. There is always the possibility of incorrect labeling. Also, the combination of color and shape lacks creativity. When a lubricant supplier changes the name of the product or your company switches to a different brand, these two identifications will become useless, requiring extra monitoring of the lubrication systems identification. Therefore, identification tags can become ineffective if not kept up to date with the changing suppliers. Also, because these tags are made of cardboard, they can get too dirty to read if they are knocked off accidentally. However, a plastic coating can protect them from getting dirty. Other materials such as plastic, aluminum, or vinyl can also be used.

Where Can You Use Lubrication Identification Tags?

You can use identification tags on:
  • Drums
  • Pails
  • Storage Tanks
  • Top-up containers
  • Filter carts
  • Machines
  • Drum pumps
  • Funnels
  • Portable Transfer Hoses
Putting lubrication identification tags on machines and comparing them with those on the container can also help workers avoid using the wrong type of lubricants.

Final Words

Fortunately, the cons of lubrication identification tags are preventable. Knowing which and when to use a lubricant for your machines can help in an effective lubrication process. Lubrication tags can minimize the confusion of mixing up the lubricants if maintained properly.

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube has been in the lubrication industry for years. We offer the best range of lubricants and related products, including filtration systems, dispensing, storage, and more. To learn more about us, click here.

5 Factors That Affect A Lubricant’s Behavior And Performance

5 Factors That Affect A Lubricant’s Behavior And Performance When deciding on what lubricant to use in your machinery, several factors can affect its performance and behavior. When deciding on what lubricant to use in your machinery, several factors can affect its performance and behavior. You must be watchful of these factors to keep your lubricant functioning at its best.

Temperature

The temperature at which a lubricant must operate is a key factor that can affect the lubricant’s functionality. Different lubricants have different capabilities at operating under specific temperatures. When you select a specific lubricant, you must check if it can perform well under the temperature that your machine’s working conditions involve. Even after selecting a suitable lubricant, you need to monitor what temperature the lubricant is facing. There might be changes in the temperature when a machine keeps on functioning for long hours. In this case, a constant and regular inspection of factors affecting the lubricant’s performance is crucial.

Machine Usage

Machine operators must correctly operate their machines. This will ensure that the machine’s components will work properly, and the lubricant inside the machinery also performs at its best. For instance, the number of hours you use the machine per day, or the amount of days it works in a week, the speed at which the machine operates, need to be corrected. By using the machine properly, you can enhance the lifespan of the machinery and its lubricant.

Quantity Of The Lubricant

The quantity of a lubricant is also a crucial factor in determining the performance of a lubricant. Using an excessive quantity of lubricant in your machine will not be suitable for the machine or the lubricant. Similarly, if you don’t use enough lubricant, it will cause wear and tear on the machine. Therefore, it is critical to ensure you use the correct quantity of lubricant to achieve the best results. The right amount will depend on the machine. You need experienced staff and machine operators to check on the lubricant’s quantity in the machine. If there is a decrease in the level, they need to top up the lubricant. Apart from trained and experienced staff, there must be a strict lubrication program in place to ensure your machines efficiency and SOP’s for people to follow.

Quality Of A Lubricant

Only the best quality lubricant is likely to perform well and meet your lubrication needs and requirements in the best possible manner. You must never opt for the second or third best quality lubricants when selecting one. When deciding on which lubricant is best for your machine check the lubricant’s brand quality, trustworthiness, durability, and reputation in the market. Selecting the best lubrication product in the market will reduce the chances of disappointment and failure later. If you wish for your machinery to deliver the best results, you must lubricate it with a top-quality lubrication product.

Age Of A Lubricant

The expiry of your lubricant is a critical factor that will affect the behavior and performance of your lubricant. If the lubricant has passed its age and is due to be replaced, its performance will not be the same. You must replace your lubricants if they are past their due date. Doing so can save your machinery and keep the lubricant’s behavior the same. The quality of your lubricant depends on its manufacture date and the time at which you use it in your machine. Once your lubricants’ viscosity starts to decrease, it needs to be replaced. If you delay the replacement, it can cause damage to your machine’s internal components. At Micro-Lube, we provide our clients with good quality lubrication products that suit their machinery to help them work at their best. To get in touch with us, click here.

5 Signs Of A Successful Lubrication Program

Industries face immense challenges while formulating and implementing effective lubrication programs. According to numerous case studies, 70 percent of machine failures are related to lubrication failures in one way or another. It is important to keep in mind that these failures are not only associated with a lubricant’s quality but also depend on its lubrication systems, practices, and programs. A successfully implemented lubrication program can mean many wins for your factory. An effective lubrication program leads to reduced machinery downtime, decreased maintenance cost, and increased factory-wide efficiency.

Lower Grease Consumption

A decrease in the quantity of lubricant consumed by your machinery is a sure sign that your lubrication program is on the right track and is working successfully. Bad lubrication practices can lead to your bearings receiving more lubricant than they are designed to handle. The excess lubricant can lead to lubrication churning and ultimately lubricant starvation which can destroy the machine. Over-lubrication can also happen when re-greasing intervals are scheduled based on time rather than on the lubricant’s condition. Most organizations end up over lubricating their machinery due to these reasons. To keep this in check, you can ask your maintenance department to track your machines’ grease consumption. This can help you monitor and control your lubrications cost as well as develop an effective lubrication strategy. By following an efficient lubrication program, you can reduce your factory’s overall grease consumption needs.

Fewer Lubrication-Related Failures

Optimized lubrication programs experience few lubricant-related failures as compared to unoptimized programs. This is because if you’re following a set program, you will be:
  • Aware of the effective lubricants storage and handling techniques
  • Won’t over-grease, under-grease, or forget to drain the oil
  • Be vigilant to decontaminate and replace the lubricant as soon as it is needed
These practices lead to better machine care and hence fewer lubrication-related failures. Moreover, since you’ll spend less time fixing your broken machines, you’ll have extra time on your hands to take care of your other equipment. To optimize your lubrication program, make sure your organization tracks failures and performs root cause analysis regularly.

Increased Number Of Machines Monitored

If your organization follows an effective lubrication program for all your equipment, you’ll notice that your workers have more time to monitor your machines and accurately assess their lubrication needs. A failing lubrication system will mean less time to do these things, as your employees will be busy fixing and maintaining the broken machines. Take, for instance, the criticality assessment. In this process, workers prioritize the maintenance of the machines based on their potential risk of failure. Although it does somewhat increase the factory’s overall performance, to achieve 100% efficiency, you must optimize all of your factory’s equipment. With a successful lubrication program, you’ll have more time to plan, organize, and schedule your maintenance steps. This will allow you to bring more machines under the right lubrication program.

Improved Machine Reliability

Lubrication directly affects your machines reliability and plant uptime, making it one of the most common signs of a successful lubrication program. Machines that are properly lubricated require less energy to run. A decrease in energy consumption will prevent your machines from overheating and enjoy a longer life cycle. Here are the five lubrication practices that increase machine reliability:
  1. Completing all lubrication tasks at the right time.
  2. Adding the right lubricant to the right piece of equipment.
  3. Properly storing and handling the lubricant and keeping it free from contamination.
  4. Having the right lubricant tools that are efficient and practical
  5. Regularly analyzing the oil and other chemicals.

Minimal Lubricants

When a lubrication program is perfectly designed, it will lead to a minimum number of lubricants on hand. Having fewer lubricants in a storage area will also mean a decrease in the probability of cross-contamination, which will further improve the company’s purchasing power. These are a few of the signs of a successful lubrication program. With an effective lubrication program, you should see an increase in uptime, a decrease in lubrication consumption and a decline in the number of lubricants stored on site. These conditions enable an organization to operate more efficiently. For more information on machine lubrication, visit our website or contact us here today. Related blog: Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System  

5 Warning Signs Of Lubrication Failure

5 Warning Signs Of Lubrication Failure Lubrication failure can be defined as a lack of success in accomplishing lubrication goals in any equipment. We often attribute these goals to the lubricant’s correct selection and its quality only, but they are also supported by how we perform the lubrication methods we follow, and how efficient and effective our lubrication program is. The primary objectives of a successful lubrication program include:
  • Providing a lubricant film to decrease friction and wear and tear between moving parts.
  • Act as a heat-transfer fluid to reduce an equipment’s operating temperature
  • Remove contaminants from the lubricant and lubrication system.
  • Minimize the corrosion of metal surfaces and prevent the buildup of varnish and sludge in the system.

Oil Analysis

A successful lubrication program is essential to keep your manufacturing plant running smoothly. You can tell if your lubrication program is on track by carrying out a thorough oil analysis and lubrication test and comparing their results with previous reports. These analyses will also help you identify important signs that may indicate if your lubrication program is failing.

Spotting Problems

In the end, it is all about spotting problems before they can wreak havoc on your machine. Regular lubrication testing and inspection will extend your machinery’s life and reduce costly and inconvenient failures. When oil analysis takes place, it helps to spot various warning signs of lubrication failure. We mention some of these important signs below.

Total Acid Number

Testing for the total acid number is an essential part of oil analysis. It measures the amount of oxidation that a lubricant undergoes since its top-up in the machine. It is an important indicator of the lubricant’s performance and helps technicians predict the best time to change the oil. Unless the lubricant is properly stored in a sealed container, the air can quickly cause its oxidation, decreasing its effectiveness. A total acid number that is higher than the lubricant’s initial acid number is a key indicator of lubrication failure.

Particle Count

Dirt and other impurities in the environment can quickly accumulate in the lubricant, decreasing its effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to keep your lubricants clean. Having an effective filtration system will increase the longevity and quality of the lubricated equipment. Like the total acid number, the system’s particle count is an important warning sign of lubrication problems. A particle count provides information about the cleanliness of the system and the filtration system’s performance. As the particle count of a lubricant increases, its effectiveness decreases significantly. This indicates problems with the lubricant. To avoid lubrication failure you must replace your oil immediately.

Water

Water is a known enemy of lubricants. Although it is an issue in any area, environments with high moisture levels can impact your lubricants performance significantly. Different lubricants have varying tolerance for water content. Whenever the water content exceeds this acceptable level, it can decrease the lubricant’s quality, impacting its performance and lead to lubrication failure.

Metal

Running a metal analysis on a lubricant can also help you identify problems with your lubricant. As the equipment wears, it releases metal components in the lubricated area and into the lubricant. As with water content, different lubricants have varying tolerances for metal content. However, a lubricants metal analysis that shows too much metal present can indicate possible lubrication failure unless you change and replace the lubricant immediately.

Viscosity

Checking the viscosity of a lubricant is the easiest and the simplest way to determine lubricant performance. An increase in viscosity directly indicates a lubricants wear. As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your lubricant before its viscosity changes more than 10 percent. You can easily measure a lubricant’s changing viscosity by tracking a fixed amount of oil as it travels through the system. These are the important signs that can help you determine whether your lubricant program is on track or not. For more information on lubrication failure and developing an effective lubrication program, visit our website or contact us here today.

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