Why One Oil Sampling Point Isn't Always Enough The starting point of any great oil analysis program begins with obtaining representative samples. The goal of oil sampling is to maximize data density while minimizing data disturbance. You maximize data density by sampling in the right location with the right equipment at the right time. Often,…
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How Much is a Shot of Grease?
How Much is a Shot of Grease? Answer: Generally, a shot of grease means one stroke from the grease gun. However, the output, or amount of lubricant dispensed from a grease gun depends on the model. Grease guns deliver widely varying amounts of grease (typically 0.1 ounce or 2 to 3 grams). Also, don't forget…
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Keeping Your Oil Analysis Program Up to Date
Keeping Your Oil Analysis Program Up to Date Over time, any oil analysis program can become stagnant if few or no improvements are made. This can cause the program to lose value, as it may not fully support the plant’s improvement initiatives, such as achieving certain reliability objectives. What’s worse is that the program manager…
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How To Successfully Manage Change
How To Successfully Manage Change Whether implementing a maintenance reliability improvement program or a new CMMS, it is necessary to have buy-in at all affected levels to facilitate change. No matter how large or small the change is, to realize success requires education and awareness. Everyone involved and affected should understand the nature of the…
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Why You Should Never Reuse Your Oil Sample Tubing
Why You Should Never Reuse Your Oil Sample Tubing Oil sampling tubing should never be reused. To avoid minimizing sample contamination a new line of tube should be used for each sample taken. A company recently hired me to train their samplers. The company used the drop tube method to collect their oil samples so…
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Lubrication: Not Too Much and Not Too Little
Lubrication: Not Too Much and Not Too Little Did you know that the two most common failures for bearings are over lubrication and under lubrication? If a bearing is over lubricated, the bearing can be pushed excessively by the lubricant causing additional wear of the bearing. If the bearing is under lubricated it will rub…
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