Five Common Mistakes Made when Developing an Inspection Route
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA|January - February 2023
Developing and implementing inspection routes is a key part of a successful lubrication program.
Bennett Fitch
Five Common Mistakes Made when Developing an Inspection Route

Factor: H5M

Inspection routes are complex, and the reality is that just because they are being performed doesn't mean they are being performed correctly. Let's look at an example: 

Larry Smith is a lube tech. He has a few years of experience in this role but no formal training. His inspection route for today includes 64 machines spread throughout four different areas of the plant a task that should take Larry four to six hours to complete. Larry is given simple instructions to "inspect"; it is also assumed that he will take corrective actions when needed.

At each inspection, Larry relies on his intuition. He looks at sight glasses (where available) to determine the oil level, and when necessary, he tops up the oil. He also looks for abnormal conditions, fixing the things he can (like a hatch left open), and noting unusual conditions that he can't address immediately (spent breathers, loose bolts on machine footing, leaky drain ports, gauge issues, etc.). Many of the machines that Larry inspects are not equipped with sight glasses, greatly limiting the scope of Larry's inspection abilities and leaving him only able to make general observations.

How does Larry's inspection route compare to your inspection routes? Are you relying on your intuition and experience alone to know what to look for? Do your machines lack the hardware to allow for good inspections? Here are some mistakes that, when fixed, will greatly improve the effectiveness of Larry's work.

5 Common Mistakes made when Developing an Inspection Route

1 Not Giving Inspections Enough Importance

Bu hikaye MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA dergisinin January - February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA dergisinin January - February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Secrets For Implementing A Clean lubricant Program
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

The Secrets For Implementing A Clean lubricant Program

If you could find an investment that guaranteed a return 40 times greater than your initial investment, you probably wouldn't pass it up.

time-read
4 dak  |
March - April 2024
MAINTAIN? REPAIR? REPLACE?
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

MAINTAIN? REPAIR? REPLACE?

When considering the life of any asset, the question arises: what types of interventions should be planned to keep it operating or to restore operation in the event of its failure?

time-read
4 dak  |
March - April 2024
Engineering Reports Should Be Like Bad Movies
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

Engineering Reports Should Be Like Bad Movies

I'm frequently asked to review engineering reports, and I'm continually baffled by how many engineers want to take their readers on a journey instead of getting to the point.

time-read
7 dak  |
March - April 2024
WHY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AREN'T ENOUGH TO MITIGATE LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

WHY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AREN'T ENOUGH TO MITIGATE LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION

There are few problems more insidious or damaging to large industrial machinery than contaminated lubricant.

time-read
4 dak  |
March - April 2024
LUBRICATION CONTAMINATION PREVENTION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

LUBRICATION CONTAMINATION PREVENTION

How many articles have you read, or seminars listened to, that tout the value of contamination control? If you are like me, they number in the hundreds—if not thousands. One thing about these articles and seminars that bothers me is the word “control”.

time-read
6 dak  |
March - April 2024
LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION PREVENTION AND MITIGATION: A Guide For Maintenance Professionals
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

LUBRICANT CONTAMINATION PREVENTION AND MITIGATION: A Guide For Maintenance Professionals

Lubricants are essential for the smooth and efficient operation of many types of machinery, from engines and turbines to gears and bearings.

time-read
5 dak  |
March - April 2024
TASK-BASED TRAINING | INSPECTING A SINGLE-POINT LUBRICATOR
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

TASK-BASED TRAINING | INSPECTING A SINGLE-POINT LUBRICATOR

A single-point lubricator is a device engineered to attach to a single unit to regularly and automatically deliver a small amount of clean grease or lubricating oil to a specific area.

time-read
3 dak  |
March - April 2024
TOP LEADERSHIP FOCUSES FOR IMPROVED RELIABILITY AND COST REDUCTION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

TOP LEADERSHIP FOCUSES FOR IMPROVED RELIABILITY AND COST REDUCTION

Here’s a scenario that may sound eerily familiar – you have a new reliability initiative.

time-read
4 dak  |
March - April 2024
4 KEY ELEMENTS FOR INTERPRETING AN OIL ANALYSIS REPORT
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

4 KEY ELEMENTS FOR INTERPRETING AN OIL ANALYSIS REPORT

Years ago, a customer came into my office, visibly upset. He had just received his second oil analysis report for one of his Caterpillar gas engines.

time-read
4 dak  |
March - April 2024
ASTM ENHANCEMENTS TO MICROSCOPIC PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION
MACHINERY LUBRICATION INDIA

ASTM ENHANCEMENTS TO MICROSCOPIC PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION

In 1982, Daniel Anderson published his influential book, \"Wear Particle Atlas\", which describes, sizes, and classifies particles found in oil.

time-read
4 dak  |
March - April 2024