Machinery Lubrication March 2007

Power transmission in a hydraulic system is a product of flow and pressure. Therefore, the power rating of a hydraulic pump or actuator is a product of its ability to produce or absorb flow, as...

In the world of reliability, an increasing number of people are realizing the benefits of predictive and proactive maintenance strategies. Condition monitoring, the primary activity of these...

In 2000, Premcor Refining (now Valero) began seeking ways to reduce machinery and equipment failures, which resulted in a lubrication reliability department dedicated to the development of programs...

To be effective, a lubrication maintenance program must reduce unscheduled downtime as cost effectively as possible. Other objectives of such efforts include: Maximize...

When asked to describe a lubricant, people typically refer to its brand or product name. More precisely, a lubricant, whether it is an oil or grease, is a bundle of performance properties such as...

In large and small plants across the globe, machines wear out daily - breaking down or just becoming too old or obsolete to meet current needs. Hopefully, in our proactive world, we are able to...

Recently, synthetic greases have found greater use in rotating equipment. Long considered the lubricant of choice for applications involving extreme temperatures, loads and speeds, synthetic...

Clean, Dry and Cool For years, the recommended fluid conditioning advice from original equipment manufacturers was to keep the fluid clean, dry and cool. Unfortunately, the conventional...

Low ambient temperatures affect the flow characteristics of a lubricant. Dropping below the pour point and the higher viscosity not only restricts oil flow to bearings and other machine elements, but also translates into high startup torque. As a result, machines often cannot start or excessive friction causes a complete failure.

The Importance of Visual Inspections Buckets are important when changing oil, but when the bottom of the bucket is not visible, another route must be taken. The condition-based maintenance team...

A common goal in surface lubrication is to lubricate the component with the correct amount of lubricant while keeping the surrounding environment dry. SKF's VOGEL® Vectolub system is a clean...

NLGI, an organization for the lubricating grease industry, is pleased to announce its 2007 annual meeting will be held at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess from June 9th through June 12th in...

By now, certification is common across a broad range of professions. Quality certification programs provide standards and guidelines for professional recognition. While certification is not a...