Lubrication Fundamentals

A foundational understanding of lubrication enabled reliability. The fundamentals of machinery lubrication necessary for a foundational understanding of lubrication enabled reliability. A basic review of the important functions of a lubricant will be covered, then the course will continue to demonstrate the impact of contamination on machine components.

Course Outline

1 Day

11 Core Modules

How Lubrication Affects Machine Reliability

Financial benefits from achieving lubrication excellence
4 equipment maintenance strategies and when each applies

Lubrication Fundamentals

Six important functions of lubricating oils
How oils and greases are formulated and why it is important
How friction is generated in lubricated machinery
The importance of oil film thickness and critical clearances

Additives, Based Oils and Grease Thickeners

How lubricant properties irreparably change
Seven important physical properties of a base oil
The importance of API's five base oil categories
What causes grease to dry out and 18 ways to prevent it
How to detect the root causes of lubricant oxidation
When to select 1 of the 6 most used synthetic base oils
How to use temperature to determine the right base oil for your machine
How to select grease thickeners for your application

Lubricant Performance Properties

Key additives that enhance lubricant performance
Viscosity grades, measurement and reporting
Why Viscosity Index is important
Oil viscosity changes and how to set monitoring limits
Lubricant performance tests & reporting
How water contamination generates other contaminants
How to control and eliminate aeration problems

Grease Application Methods

How to protect against incompatible grease mixtures
Best practices for the maintenance of grease guns and fittings
Best practices for greasing motor bearings
How to control pressure when greasing bearings
The unique problems caused by over-greasing
3 critical instructions to give your electric motor rebuild shop
Comparing single- and multi-point lubrication options
Best practices for the maintenance of grease guns and fittings
Best practices for ultrasonic/sonic-based greasing

Oil Application Methods

Overview of oil lubrication methods/devices
Protect against problems caused by constant-level oilers
Overview of single-point direct lubrication systems

Contamination Control

Strategies for building reliability through contamination control
The seven most destructive contaminants and how to control them
Specific steps for managing a proactive lubricant maintenance program
The ISO Solid Contaminant Code – understand and track it
10 ways to get more mileage out of portable filter carts
How dirt, metal particles and soot mechanically destroy machine surfaces
Guidelines for controlling machine surface fatigue and extending machine life
The #1 cause of machine wear and how to manage it
4 ways water contamination attacks lubricant additives
Managing the root causes of foam and aeration
Best practices for excluding and removing contaminants
How oil filters are rated
Best practices for water contamination from oil
The unique problems created by varnish

Oil Drains, Flushing, and Reservior Management

How to optimize and extend oil change intervals
Interval vs. condition-based oil changes – pros and cons
Best practices for oil changes
Know how and when to perform a flush
The best procedures for oil draining and refilling

Storing, Handling And Managing Lubricants

How to set up a world-class lube room
How to know when to reject a new oil delivery
Used lubricant storage, handling, and disposal best practices
Bulk lubricant storage do’s and don’ts
Guidelines for storing and handling drums
Lubricant dispensing options and what you must avoid
Lubricant coding and identification systems – what works and what doesn’t
Portable oil transfer and filter carts selection advice
How and where to store oil transfer and filter carts
Understanding and managing lubricant storage life
Keeping grease fresh – best practices for storage

Lubricant Failure

Know the factors which contribute to lubricant failure
Thermal and oxidation process and its effects on lubricants and additives
Identify common wear mechanism caused by debris
Recognize what causes lubricant degradation
Recognize the byproducts of lubricant failure and wear debris

Essential Field Inspections

12 questions your oil filter will answer about your machine
Visual inspections you can get big results from right now
Quick tips for using scent, sound, and touch to inspect lubricants

Snapshot

How Lubrication Affects Machine Reliability

Lubrication Fundamentals

Additives, Based Oils and Grease Thickeners

Lubricant Performance Properties

Grease Application Methods

Oil Application Methods

Contamination Control

Oil Drains, Flushing, and Reservior Management

Storing, Handling and Managing Lubricants

Lubricant Failure

Essential Field Inspections

Your Instructors

Shane Scriven

Practical Lubrication Specialist, Data Scientist, Reliability Engineer, AI/ML

Asset Management Consultant

With 20 years of practical, hands-on experience, Shane combines his knowledge of lubrication with cutting edge technology and holistic asset management approaches to deliver well-rounded solutions.

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Michael Hooper

Tutor, Analyst and Technical Author

Noria Corporation

40 years lubrication & oil analysis expert across multiple continents. Noria Services Training Consultant. Managed labs & LIMS development. Author & presenter on lubrication & analysis.

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Pathway

Asset Schools training courses can be completed individually at any time, but have you considered planning a Learning Pathway? For example:

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Our Clients

The training provided by Asset Schools was exceptional, offering a highly educational experience that enabled us to learn a wealth of new knowledge and skills.

Ali Sahin

Senior Engineer, Reliability

Rio Tinto

Asset Schools give peace of mind that the investment in our Maintenance and Reliability professionals will provide a great return to both them and the business.

Gwyn Garland

Senior Manager

Asset Health Newmont

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