Efficient Plant April 2018 - 27

feature | lubrication strategies
are incorrectly engineered or by using
non-standard grease guns that can deliver
substantially different shot sizes due to their
internal design. Virtually no two grease
guns are alike in their grease displacement;
a single shot in one grease gun can amount
to five or more shots in a different-style
gun. Yet, a PM (preventive maintenance)
task may ask for two shots of grease, which
results in over-greasing.
Furthermore, a good-hearted maintainer
may contribute to the problem by choosing
to add an extra shot or two in the mistaken belief that more grease is better. If you
witness oceans of grease surrounding or
dripping from a bearing, it's a clear indication that the "more is better" assumption is
in play.
Ideally, greased bearing cavities should
be filled to less than 50% of their capacity
to effectively lubricate the bearing. Filling
a bearing cavity completely with grease
creates a condition known as fluid friction,
or churning, in which the bearing requires
considerably more input energy to move the
lubricant out of the way so that the bearing
can operate as designed. As a result, the
internal friction causes the lubricant and the
bearing temperature to spike, prematurely
and simultaneously reducing the lives of the
bearing and lubricant.
Similarly, over-filling an oil reservoir can
create a lubricant-churning condition, creating heat and foam that can quickly deplete
the anti-foam and anti-oxidant additive and
reduce protective ability.
The solution? Ensure all grease guns in
the plant deliver the same amount of grease
displacement. Work with a lubricationdelivery-system specialist to engineer your
application system approach and interval
requirements.

CLEAN MATTERS
The third consideration on our list is neither
myth nor misconception. Cleanliness is,

APRIL 2018

without a doubt, next to godliness.
When it comes to bearing health and
lubrication, the old cleanliness adage is a
mantra worth following. Bearing surface
areas and lubrication systems are not dirt
tolerant.
Poor work practices and dirty lubricant-storage/handling equipment and
areas are responsible for many prema-

ture bearing failures. Develop a cleaning
regimen as part of any PM task. Ensure the
lubricant reservoirs and lubricant delivery
devices are always kept scrupulously clean.
Introduce and sustain a machine-cleanliness program that is designed to quickly
identify leaks and moisture invasion and
prevent dirt from contaminating the lubricant. When dirt contaminates a lubricant, it

INCREASE EQUIPMENT
RELIABILITY
THAT'S WHAT WE DO...

At Inpro/Seal®, we are dedicated to providing equipment reliability solutions through
engineering excellence, superior sealing technology and unmatched customer support.
Our custom engineered sealing solutions increase MTBR and significantly reduce
maintenance costs through permanent bearing protection and process sealing
technologies on a variety of rotating equipment. Our unique product line includes:
Inpro/Seal Bearing Isolators, Smart Shaft Grounding, AM Solutions Shaft
Seals and Sentinel Floating Brush Seals.
To learn more about increasing equipment reliability, visit www.inpro-seal.com.

EXPERT ENGINEERING. PROVEN RESULTS.

See us at Reliable Plant 2018 - Booth 101
EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM |

27
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Efficient Plant April 2018
