MACHINERY LUBRICATION- INDIA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019 | Page 4

FROM THE DESK
Publisher’s
Note
W
hat exactly does it mean to
be excellent at lubrication?
Is lubrication excellence a
destination, or is it a journey
on the path to re-inventing
a plant's entire approach to lubrication?
Unfortunately, many organizations approach
lubrication excellence like a program, similar
to a capital project, with a defined beginning,
middle and end. In other words, it is
something that must be defined by a clear
return on investment within a predetermined
time period.
Lubrication excellence is not about one single
activity or collection of activities over a
specific time period, but rather a continual
journey which should be aimed at changing
the lifestyle of the plant. Lubrication
excellence involves changing the process of
lubrication, not just purchasing tangible
products or services.
The first phase in the process is planning.
Training is clearly a critical component of
the cultural transformation process. In
addition to a general training course, it is
appropriate to have open forum discussions
with various groups and departments to
discuss their specific roles.
During the planning phase, it is also
necessary to assess the organization’s
computerized maintenance management
system (CMMS) and other planning
support systems to define how the new
2 | November - December 2019 |
program needs to be structured from a
document management and information
flow perspective.
There are four major activities in the design
and install phase of the transformation
process: design, installation, documentation,
and coaching and ad hoc training. The
design aspects are technical in nature and
require individuals with special skills and
experience to complete.
Lubricant contamination control is an
effective mechanism. The oil analysis and
inspection program is the scorecard for a
controlled and managed lubrication
program. It ensures that contamination
control and lubrication management
efforts are effective. Likewise, oil analysis
provides advance warning, which enables a
decisive and targeted response to abhorrent
machine and/or lubricant conditions that
could compromise reliability.
Many lubrication problems begin with
poor handling and inventory practices. It is
necessary to optimally design a lubricant
purchasing, storage and handling process.
Occasionally, it is necessary to adjust the
lubricant selection. Several reasons may
prompt such a decision.
Once the various aspects of the new
lubrication program have been designed, it
is usually necessary to purchase and install
hardware, and in some cases, software and
instruments.
www.machinerylubricationindia.com
Upon completion of the design and
installation phase, and after procedures are
written, it is time to deploy lubrication
excellence.
Today, managers and owners must look to
maintenance and reliability to improve
profits in their plants and factories. For
most, improving lubrication practices
represents “low-hanging fruit” that is ripe
for the picking. Many have attempted to
shortcut the pathway to lubrication
excellence by purchasing special lubricants,
instruments or other gadgets. Regrettably,
but predictably, many have failed.
Don’t expect these changes to come
overnight. To succeed, you must engage in
sustained effort to transform the culture
and usher in the new business-as-usual.
We would like to thank our readers for the
great response to our anniversary issue.
Our current issue’s cover story is “Creating
a Culture of Lubrication Excellence and
Reliability-Centered Maintenance” which
will help our readers to know how a
company creates a world-class lubrication
program.
Wishing you all Happy and Prosperous
New Year 2020 filled with abundance joy
and treasured moments.
Warm regards,
Udey Dhir