Answer:
Explanation:
1. Over-lubrication
You can have too much of a good thing. When an asset lacks grease, it will quickly make the problem known, usually by failing. At the other end of the spectrum, over greasing can have a similar effect. That’s why it’s important to remember that lubricants have volume of their own. Too much grease could actually cause an asset to jam, necessitating additional maintenance and hours of downtime.
2. Under-lubrication
A lack of lubricant is likely one of the easiest problems to spot. Assets that aren’t properly maintained will make themselves known in short order. Typically, excess heat and sound will radiate from the asset until failure. Alone, these symptoms are easy to detect, but within a noisy facility, they could go unnoticed.
3. Using the wrong lubricant
Not only can using the wrong lubricant lead to asset failure, but it may also void the machinery’s warranty. Machine manufacturers will typically recommend specific lubricants for each asset. These guidelines should be taken seriously, or else the money for a replacement will likely come from your department’s budget.
4. Mixing lubricants
Not all lubricants are created equal. In fact, mixing the wrong kinds of lubricants together can be just as damaging as not lubricating at all. According to Machinery Lubrication magazine, mixing synthetic and mineral-based lubricants can cause major problems, leading to leakages and complete failures.
5. Lubricant contamination
One of the chief causes of premature bearing failure is lubricant contamination. Not only does contaminated lubricant harm machinery, but it can also be expensive to remove and clean. Understanding how and why contamination occurs is the first step to preventing premature failures. For instance, contamination may come from particles in the ambient air, dirt from outside the facility or from agents within the machine itself.
A condition monitoring policy that includes housekeeping protocols will ensure that contamination has a minimal impact on asset uptime. However, visual inspection may not be sufficient to determine if contamination has occurred. An ultrasound tool can pinpoint discrepancies in the ultrasonic output of a bearing, notifying maintenance personnel in well in advance of equipment failure.
An improved lubrication program starts with accurate data. Whether your facility utilizes a condition-based lubrication strategy or a preventive method, your technicians need more data if they’re going to make any progress.
