Oil Analysis
Oil analysis is an essential element of any lubrication management program. Testing oil samples from your equipment and machinery makes a lot of sense, and it is often part of equipment manufacturers’ warranty requirements. If something goes wrong with the machinery within the warranty period, you need to be prepared to provide detailed maintenance records that include oil analysis results.
Even when oil analysis is not required to validate warranty claims, it makes sense from a fiduciary perspective. Your company has invested significant capital into the equipment that powers its operations. It becomes your responsibility to make sure the company gets the most from this investment in terms of longevity, efficiency, and availability (no unplanned outages).
The oil analysis process – simple, right?
The oil analysis process has three primary steps. On the surface, the process appears straightforward: You specify the tests, take the samples, and use the results to improve operations. Not so fast, there is more to it than meets the eye.
- Samples must be properly collected and labeled. Any lubricant from other sources will skew the results.
- Are you clear on the tests you want and are required to run? The manufacturer and code requirements must be satisfied. Do you need more than one type of test for each piece of equipment?
- Can you convert the results into a root cause analysis and drive corrective actions? The graphic below lists the most common issues found through analysis. But what do you do to fix them?
Do you need to be an expert?
How the Reliability 360 Team Can Help
Our first step is the determine what tests you need to meet your lubrication management program goals. This includes reviewing your equipment manufacturers’ requirements and all standards you have to meet.
Then, we’ll take charge of sample collection. While not quite a CSI-style chain of custody, we make sure the samples are perfect for the testing lab to analyze.
Finally, when the results come in, we’ll sit down with you and help decipher what they mean. Our staff will help you identify the root cause of any poor results so you can fix the issue right the first time.
Contact us today to discuss how our services can remove the headaches from your oil analysis process.