Lubrication DesignReliability Centered Lubrication (RCL) is an approach to lubrication that is focused on designing a program for lubrication and oil analysis 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.
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 walk down 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.
Implementation - This is the most important stage in the entire process. Even with a well designed lubrication program, a solid ROI cannot be experienced without a solid implementation plan. The implementation phase is the process by which 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.
With many facilities losing nearly 10% of the maintenance budget due to poor lubrication practices and oil analysis program that fail to add value, Reliability Centered Lubrication is a process that can have results in multiple areas:
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. |
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The RCL process can be broken down into several components:
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.