Lubrication Design

Reliability Centered Lubrication (RCL) is an approach to lubrication that is focused on designing a program for lubrication and oil analysis by taking into account operational conditions, best practices, and modifications required to both machine and facility. RCL uses industry standard calculations to determine appropriate lubricant recommendations, including lube type, re-grease volumes, and re-lube intervals. Furthermore, the RCL process uses failure modes analysis to establish appropriate oil analysis test slates and test intervals.

The RCL process can be broken down into several components:

  • Lubrication Program Assessment
  • Equipment Walkdown
  • Lube Design and Recommendations
  • Design Verification and Approval
  • Implementation

Lubrication Program Assessment - The Lubrication Program Assessment consists of a benchmarking exercise.  This exercise is performed in order to identify gaps between where a facility currently operates compared to World Class and Best Practices. 

Equipment Walkdown - The walkdown is an exercise by which a consultant looks at every lubricated machine in a plant or facility.  A lubricated machine is a machine that has at least one component where grease, oil, or hydraulic fluid is used to lubricate or transmit power to other components.  During the walk down exercise, information is gathered that will be used to help determine steps required for best practice lubrication.

Lube Design and Recommendations - The lube design portion is where all engineering calculations take place.  Where possible, these calculations will be automated to ensure consistency among designed programs: calculations for grease quantities and intervals, make lubricant recommendations, modification assignments, lube procedures assigned to equipment.

Design Verification and Approval - At this stage, the development work has been completed. The Lubrication Program Project Manager will verify the design work and approve the project prior to implementation.  This is also the step where any equipment requiring special consideration will undergo a design process with the Project Manager.

Implementation - This is the most important stage in the entire process. Even with a well-designed lubrication program, a solid Return on Investment cannot be experienced without a solid implementation plan.

The implementation phase is where the entire designed lubrication program is put into practice onsite.  During the implementation phase, a lubrication consultant experienced in plant operations and maintenance can be onsite to help with the tasks involved.

  • Lube route development within TEAM™
  • Sample Route Creation in TEAM™
  • Training and Mentoring
  • Remote Analysis Set Up
  • Lube Room Design Option
  • Parts Procurement Support
  • Optional Specific Job Plan Creation in Procedure Module

With many facilities losing nearly 10% of the maintenance budget due to poor lubrication practices and oil analysis programs that fail to add value, Reliability Centered Lubrication is a process that can have results in multiple areas:

  • Less lubricant stored onsite
  • Optimized time spent in front of machine
  • Less lubricant purchases

Allied Reliability has developed a process for designing and implementing high quality RCL programs. With established standards and procedures in place, RCL is the best choice for plant lubrication and oil analysis.



Continuous improvement and refinement are critical to long term success.
Find out how the Proactive Work Flow Model can help you succeed.

 To learn more on how Allied can help your plant drive world class results,
please contact us at langhornejason@alliedreliability.com

 
Loading...

 

Download a free copy of these industry leading reports by clicking below!

PdM Secrets Revealed:


Are You Doing Too Much PM?:


Lean Manufacturing and
Reliability Concepts
: