ReliabilityX

Category: CILS

  • Mastering Lubrication Excellence: Building a World-Class Lubrication Program

    Mastering Lubrication Excellence: Building a World-Class Lubrication Program

    In the industrial landscape, the humble lubricant might seem inconspicuous, but it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of machinery, reducing friction, and extending the life of critical assets. Achieving lubrication excellence isn’t just a matter of choosing the right oil; it’s about developing a comprehensive program that encompasses the best practices, advanced technologies, and a culture of precision. In this blog, we will explore the methods to build a world-class lubrication program that’s the cornerstone of operational success.

    Understanding the Importance of Lubrication Excellence

    A world-class lubrication program is more than just routine maintenance; it’s a strategic asset management practice that goes beyond oil changes. It focuses on achieving peak operational performance, reducing equipment wear, and minimizing unplanned downtime.

    1. Leadership Commitment

    Creating a world-class lubrication program begins with leadership commitment. Top management must understand the importance of lubrication excellence and provide the necessary resources and support.

    1. Skills and Training

    Lubrication excellence requires a skilled workforce. Invest in training programs to educate personnel on lubrication best practices, equipment specifics, and the handling of lubricants.

    1. Lubricant Selection

    Selecting the right lubricants is crucial. Each machine and application may require specific types of lubricants. Consult with lubricant experts to make informed choices.

    1. Lubricant Storage and Handling

    Proper storage and handling of lubricants are essential to prevent contamination and degradation. Implement strict protocols to ensure lubricants remain in optimal condition.

    1. Contamination Control

    Develop contamination control strategies to minimize foreign particles, water, and debris in lubricants. Proper filtration and seal management are critical components.

    1. Lubrication Schedules

    Set up regular lubrication schedules based on manufacturer recommendations and real-time condition monitoring. Ensure that equipment is lubricated at the right time and with the right amount of lubricant.

    1. Lubrication Technologies

    Incorporate advanced lubrication technologies such as automatic lubrication systems, remote monitoring, and condition-based lubrication to optimize lubrication processes.

    1. Lubrication Inspections

    Conduct routine inspections to check for signs of over-lubrication, under-lubrication, contamination, or wear. Address issues promptly to avoid costly breakdowns.

    1. Record Keeping

    Maintain meticulous records of lubrication activities, including lubricant type, quantity, and equipment lubricated. This data is invaluable for tracking performance and making improvements.

    1. Root Cause Analysis

    When lubrication issues arise, conduct root cause analysis to determine the underlying problem and implement corrective actions.

    1. Continuous Improvement

    A world-class lubrication program is a journey of continuous improvement. Encourage employees to provide feedback and engage in process refinement.

    1. Lubrication Culture

    Create a culture where everyone values the role of lubrication in equipment reliability. Engage employees in lubrication best practices and provide incentives for excellence.

    1. Data-Driven Decisions

    Leverage data analytics and condition monitoring systems to make informed lubrication decisions. Real-time data provides insights for predictive maintenance.

    1. Environmental Responsibility

    Consider the environmental impact of lubricants. Choose environmentally friendly lubricants and recycling programs for used lubricants.

    In conclusion, a world-class lubrication program is the backbone of operational efficiency and asset longevity. It’s a comprehensive strategy that encompasses best practices, advanced technologies, and a culture of precision. Organizations that prioritize lubrication excellence are better equipped to achieve operational success, reduce downtime, and extend the life of critical assets. Lubrication isn’t just an oil change; it’s a strategic asset management practice that ensures the smooth operation of machinery, reduces friction, and minimizes equipment wear. By following these methods, organizations can develop a world-class lubrication program that forms the foundation of operational excellence.

     

  • 7 Steps of Clean, Inspect, & Lubricate

    7 Steps of Clean, Inspect, & Lubricate

    Through daily inspections, cleaning, and lubrication practices we can measure, prevent, and restore deterioration to our equipment. The expectation is that a team is put together made up of maintenance, operations, and leadership employees to roll out strategy beginning with one piece of equipment. They will implement the following 7 steps:

    • Initial Cleaning
    • Eliminate sources of dirt and hard to clean & inspect areas
    • Create and maintain cleaning, inspection and lubrication standards
    • General Inspection
    • Operator Inspection
    • Activities standardized
    • Team Development and Operator Driven Reliability

    Step 1: Initial Cleaning

    1. Planning for initial cleaning
    2. Initial cleaning and defect identification preparation and planning (Log for tracking defects tied to work orders)
    3. Initial cleaning activities
    4. Defect identification logging through work order creation and promotion of continuous defect identification
    5. Introduction of first temporary standard
    6. Continuous follow up on completion of work orders related to found defects

    Step 2: Eliminate sources of dirt and hard to clean & inspect areas

    1. Analyze sources of dirt and hard to clean areas
    2. Implement solutions, update cleaning standard, monitor results
    3. Improve difficult to inspect areas

    Step 3. Create and maintain cleaning, inspection and lubrication standards

    1. Create and maintain cleaning and inspection standards
    2. Study the lubrication system
    3. Simplify the lubrication system
    4. Create a visible lubrication system
    5. Introduce a lubrication schedule
    6. Train the operators
    7. Monitor results

    Step 4. General Inspection

    1. Have leaders study the equipment
    2. Train the operators
    3. Apply everything learned about the equipment and solve problems
    4. Promote visual management
    5. Define inspection standards
    6. Check results

    Step 5. Operator Inspection

    1. Integrate cleaning and lubrication standards with General Inspection and introduce basic points
    2. Prepare checklists for full implementation by all shifts, all operators
    3. Implement Visual Management at operational level
    4. Promote communication and start Team Performance Control System (Metrics to measure how well the implementation going and meetings to analyze successes and opportunities)
    5. Check results from past to today

    Step 6: Area Activities Standardization

    1. Assess current operational standards and update them
    2. Apply 5S to work area
    3. Identify basic losses relating to equipment
    4. Systematically eliminate defects by applying Problem Solving Tools
    5. Develop a Weekly Team Performance Control System (Meeting to create action item lists, assigning people and dates for completion of tasks, and follow up and review. Also, create visible metrics to show area operations your progress)

    Step 7: Team Development and Operator Driven Reliability

    A. Integration & Management

    1. Integrate activities and Safety, Quality, and Maintenance Controls
    2. Apply suggestion system
    3. Manage the area’s material flow
    4. Develop a high value added Data Collection System
    5. Achieve 100% conformity to improve MTBF, MTTR, and other associated losses
    6. Develop a Daily Team Performance Control System (Daily Morning meeting to discuss performance, list top 3 factors needing problem solving tools applied, and follow up on outstanding tasks needed to be complete.)

    B. Analysis of Losses

    1. Analyze area costs and losses
    2. Apply Problem Solving tools to highest priority losses
    3. Identify and analyze hidden losses
    4. Identify countermeasures to eradicate hidden losses
    5. Acknowledge the area improvement targets, plan for improvement, and follow up actions
  • Clean to Inspect for Best in Class Operator Care

    Clean to Inspect for Best in Class Operator Care

    Cleaning is an important first step in Operator Care and reliability gains because:

    • Insufficient cleaning causes losses and
    • The cleaning activity itself exposes hidden defects

    Dirt in rotating parts, sliding parts, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical and control systems, sensors, etc. causes malfunctions, reduce function, failure by wear, clogging, resistance, speed losses, etc. are different types of defects. Defects are anything that is abnormal from the expected ideal condition. Insufficient cleaning causes forced deterioration. All these losses are solved through a thorough cleaning of equipment and countermeasures to keep the equipment clean.

    Defect Identification while cleaning

    Since the key reason for cleaning is to identify abnormalities while cleaning, it is important to understand how to do this. Abnormalities will be found both while cleaning and ideally while the line is running since many abnormalities are undetected when the equipment is down. Anyone can find an abnormality through the use of their senses (touch, smell, see, hearing). Individuals on the team should become like human sensors. This thorough approach increases the chances of detecting hidden abnormalities such as abnormal vibration, noise, odor and overheating just to mention some. (Notice all of these can only be detected during equipment operations)

    Today, many defects are hidden because the equipment is dirty. Equipment inspections fail to expose these “hidden” defects. By cleaning the equipment thoroughly, we expose every defect. The key concept is: Cleaning is Inspection. When we clean, we touch every part of the equipment and therefore inspect every part of the equipment. The analogy that is often used to describe this idea is that of washing your car. When you wash your car by hand, you see every dent & scratch.

    This “inspection by cleaning” process is part of the daily work while operating the equipment. This skill is developed, practiced, and improved and it becomes part of daily work and is used throughout the entire plant.

    Teams should expect to reduce losses as a result of their Operator Care activity. Daily equipment loss data provides the picture of current and ongoing losses. Priority can be put first on that part of the equipment that experiences the most losses.

    Ongoing, daily data can then be used to:

    • Assess loss elimination progress
    • Review failures as they occur
    • Focus the daily cleaning and inspection activities

    Daily data should include things such as: Number of touches (the amount of times a person has to physically do something to keep the equipment running as designed), Number of minor stops, breakdowns, etc.

    As they review the data, teams should ask themselves the following questions:

    • Should our activities have prevented the loss?
    • Was the loss caused by insufficient cleaning?
    • Was there a problem we should have detected while cleaning, but failed to see?
    • Are we cleaning and inspecting the right areas?
    • If we found a problem did, we fix it in time, or was it fixed incorrectly?
    • Is the cleaning we are doing having no effect on the operation of the equipment?
    • Are we cleaning items more frequently than needed to maintain ideal?

    From this assessment, the team should adjust their work.

    They may need to:

    • Focus their cleaning to inspect in critical areas
    • Adjust how they are handling the problems they find
    • Obtain some training on how to detect the type of problems that are causing the losses they have

    Cleaning sounds easy but here are a few things to think about before you start cleaning:

      1. Preparation:

    Most deep cleaning will require the operation to be down which means preparation is critical. The boundaries of the Operator Care activity need to be clear; before pictures should be taken, cleaning supplies(rags, cleaning solution) and tools should be available; safety maps and risk prediction forms should be available, MSDS’s should be reviewed for the cleaning solutions to be used.

      1. Cleaning techniques:

    First of all, the most contaminated areas must be cleaned thoroughly. Following some tips to be considered during cleaning:

      1. Clean from top to bottom, center to outside in order to keep already clean areas clean.
      2. Touch every part of the equipment
      3. Lids and safety panels must be opened and internal parts of the machine inspected, cleaned, and checked for looseness of bolts, screws, nuts, photo-eyes, etc.
      4. Clean all auxiliary parts of the machine
      5. All objects near the machine that are not necessary must be eliminated.
      6. Closing out the cleaning activities:

    3. After the team has completed the cleaning activity it is important that before they leave the area they:

      1. Check the area for tools, trash, etc.
      2. Capture after pictures
      3. Put supplies away
      4. Perform a test run

    4. Turnover of cleaning activities to line operations:

    At the end of a cleaning session, it is important to make sure that the equipment is ready for operation. A summary of the teams’ activities should be provided to the oncoming team in case issues arise later. Cleaning activities should not cause any type of loss to the line.

    1. The Cleaning should take place at the end of the shift with the goal of setting the next shift up for success.

    And finally, keep a record of how much time your team is cleaning. All cleaning time is a loss; ideal is 0. Any progress to eliminate effort loss on keeping the machine clean should be captured.