Lubricant analysts face many challenges in trying to translate laboratory data into meaningful comments for those responsible for lubricant and machine health. One could say the analyst gives a...
Whenever a new component is about to be commissioned, the first thing we need to address is the lubricant. A typical original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) recommendation will usually state...
In my column in the November- December issue of the magazine, I presented a case study in which a ship loading gearbox suffered a catastrophic failure just two days after receiving the new...
Tests such as acid number (AN), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and the rotating pressure vessel oxidation test (RPVOT) should be commonplace in any well-designed oil analysis program,...
Is particle counting worth it? The answer is most certainly yes. But it comes with a stop press: only if it is done properly. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the deployment of...
Some equipment owners view oil analysis as a tool to help determine when to perform an oil change. Some view it in terms of the fault detection ability. Still others apply it to a strategy for...
Just as a blood test can deliver life-saving information, heavy-duty motor oil (HDMO) analysis is about keeping equipment in good health. A patient may look and feel fine but still have physical...
Two of the most common questions asked of analysts are: “What tests should I run?” and “How do I interpret the results?” The first question is easier to answer than the second. Sample...
Product and Process Engineering Concepts (PAPEC) was formed in 1985 with the objective of developing and marketing instruments, and to provide consulting for the measurement and control of...