As part of its annual Lube Room Challenge, Machinery Lubrication recently asked its readers to submit exceptional lube rooms that incorporate best-practice features. A number of readers met the challenge and were proud to show how their lubricant storage and handling methods have been transformed. The following entries illustrate how a properly designed lube room marks an important step in the journey toward lubrication excellence.
The philosophy at many plants is that if the hydraulic system is operating the machine, don’t mess with it. Frequently, the only hydraulic maintenance ever performed is changing the filters, checking the oil level and performing oil analysis. I recently consulted with a corrugated box plant where the return filter had not been changed since the plant started up 17 years ago.
It is true that the installation of an extension line will produce a longer path for grease to purge out of a bearing, creating more of an opportunity for grease to clog in the purge line. However, this may not be a significant issue if the grease being expelled maintains its original consistency. The real concern is whether the grease is caking and becoming harder.
A reciprocating compressor is a positive-displacement machine that uses a piston to compress a gas and deliver it at high pressure.
They are often some of the most critical and expensive systems at a production facility, and deserve special attention. Gas transmission pipelines, petrochemical plants, refineries and many other industries all depend on this type of equipment.
There is a misconception in industry that bearings should be lubricated like bushings. Many people are under the impression that if a little lubricant is good, a ton must be better. However, overlubing a bearing can cause the same or more catastrophic problems than underlubing. Although this practice is slowly being eradicated as its ineffectiveness becomes common knowledge, the old ways of overlubing continue to persist in some areas of our workplace.
