Most industrial oils, when new, have a clear, translucent color. This typical color is maintained for a period while the product is in its original container and free of harmful effects. However, once the oil is put into service, it undergoes changes that are...
When I first started with condition monitoring in the early 1990s on an open cast iron ore mine, we were blessed to have a geology laboratory to utilize for used oil analysis. In addition, we had the support of a commercial laboratory to whom we could send samples to...
When it comes to harsh working environments, the resource sector reflects some of the most brutal. Equipment reliability is paramount in light of such conditions and the typically remote locations of these operations. Although this article focuses on the resource...
For years, machine reliability practitioners have heard that outdoor lubricant storage is something to avoid, if possible. There are several reasons for this position, including: Risk of lubricant oxidation from prolonged exposure to heat from sunlight Risk of...
Many organizations struggle to manage maintenance stockrooms effectively, impacting the business's bottom line. In organizations with inefficient MRO processes, it's common to find the site with high levels of reactive breakdowns, maintenance delays due to part...
Many lubrication engineers are faced with finding the most appropriate lubricant for an application. Therefore, they are tasked with selecting the "right" lubricant; subsequently, their decision can influence several outcomes. A lot of the positive results are in the...
Turbine oils are required for some of the most complex pieces of turbomachinery equipment. Ideally, users should spend a great deal of time when selecting the right turbine oil, as an inappropriate selection could lead to significant undesired downtime. However, this...
Data, data, and more data. Our industry feeds on data to make decisions, and there's an abundance of condition monitoring tools that allow us to use data to understand the health of operating equipment and detect potential risks of failures. Utilizing core equipment...
Many years ago, I wrote a book entitled The Death of Reliability, Is it too late to resurrect the one true competitive advantage? I wrote the book because of my growing concern that we are losing the experience and skills necessary to deliver reliability. It is not...
Welcome to Precision Spotlight, our fresh Q&A series where we shine a light on industry professionals, delving into their insights and experiences in the world of lubrication. In this Precision Spotlight we interview one of our Editorial Advisory Board...
