Sabita Mishra
Figure 2 Ref. AIMAN (Italian Association of Maintenance Engineers) and IRI (International Research Institute) in conjunction with SKF
Advantages of an Audit
Identify duplication of lubricants Learn about your hidden lubrication costs Learn of potential safety and environmental issues Cost out the R.O.I. of automating some of your critical production equipment Up-dated manuals as required for your current automated lubrication system A customized plan to reduce cost, improve productivity and safety, listing the opportunities in priority sequence
Equipment Assessment
Typical Audit
Oil storage and dispensing:Oils stored in fluid storage racks Fluid storage racks have oil filtration Fluid storage racks have air filtration Use of proper dispensing containers Lubricant stocks properly rotated Bulk oil changes performed using a filter carts
Typical Audit
Oil sampling techniques:Oil sampling procedures are documented New oil deliveries are sampled Oil sampling ports are properly located Proper oil sampling hardware is installed Sample ports are properly labeled Automatic monthly scheduled oil change in place
Typical Audit
Contaminant ingression control:Proper air breathers are installed on equipment Additional offline filtration is installed on critical equipment Lubrication ports are installed Off line filter carts are available and employed regularly Water stripping equipment is available Offline filtration and oil filter changes are performed on condition
Typical Audit
Oil analysis program:Proper sampling frequencies are defined Oil analysis test slates are well defined Proper limits and targets are employed by machine type Oil analysis data is effectively communicated through the company A process exists for troubleshooting exception conditions
Typical Audit
Program Management:Equipment criticality assessed and determined Regular and condition based PMs in place Oil changes are based on condition Qualified and trained technicians dispense lubricants PM schedules are tracked in a database Trend charts showing sample/analysis performance are publicly displayed
Continuous Improvement