Proper functionality of moving parts depends on constant lubrication. Optimized lubrication helps facility managers improve their condition management strategies and benefit from cost reductions and assets uptime. Lubrication is an essential facet of condition improvement. The lubrication program can save you but only on the condition when it is done properly. Any mistake can make the process harmful instead of beneficial.
To ensure your lubrication and program function properly, avoid these lubrication mistakes.
Over Lubrication
Lack of grease in an asset quickly results in known problems, usually by failing. The other end of the spectrum can have a similar effect due to over greasing. Therefore, it is important to remember that they have different volumes depending on their type. Lots of greases may result in jamming the asset, increasing the necessity of extra maintenance and working hours.
Over-greasing can lead to the failure of seals. Grease guns produce an unusual level of pressure and cause an excess of harm to bearings. Likewise, when grease gets dried, and cracks appear, pressure on lubricants may result in it breaking apart, thus damaging and breaking the bearings. An ultrasound reading can help your technicians know when your machine is giving up.
Under Lubrication
Lack of lubrication is the major cause of any system malfunction and failure. A lack of lubricant is the easiest problem to spot. Assets that are not properly looked after start showing the negligence they face by acting up.
Generally, the dried asset part will radiate heat and rough sounds until it completely fails. Alone, these symptoms can help you detect the problem, but these sounds can go unnoticed in the noisy factory or working facilities.
New automated lubrication systems can help you avoid the damages caused by under lubrication.
Using The Wrong Lubricant
Using the wrong lubricant can lead to major problems and destroy the asset, but it may also void the machinery warranty. The machine manufacturers typically recommend specific lubricants, and they are mentioned in customers’ manuals as well. These guidelines should be considered; otherwise, the damage will be taken from your department’s budget.
The most crucial aspect of any lubricant is ‘viscosity’; using oil or grease with a different viscosity than the recommended on the user manual is a recipe for failure. Reading all the recommendations and guidelines on the user manual carefully and following them can save you a lot of time and money.
People add additives to their lubricant to provide polish to the asset or any other reason. However, it is noteworthy here that the additives can alter the composition and viscosity of the lubricant. So, if you are adding an additive such as foam agents, corrosion inhibitors, or antioxidants to your lubricant, check and ensure that they do not alter the composition or viscosity of the lubricant, keeping it effective for your machinery.
Mixing Lubricants
Not all lubricants are made the same and for the same purposes. In fact, mixing the non-complimentary or different types of lubricants can damage lubrication effectiveness and, worst to not lubricating at all. For example, mixing synthetic lubricants and mineral lubricants can cause major problems, leading to machinery failures and leakages.
Moreover, the wrong lubricants mix can cause the risk of shrinking nearby seals, causing them to fail. These problems increase your spending as these problems will require the replacement of the damaged parts often. Similarly, you can expect deep-rooted problems when the thickener is added to the grease. The mixture can become unstable and fail to perform its function as a lubricant. So, always buy the correct high-quality lubricants from a trusted supplier, as saving money from lubricants will only cost you more on different fronts.