Maintenance Technology June 2017 - 27

MRO ISSUES

could probably also use 320 or 150. If a site were to have 40
gearboxes using 220 and five using 320, it would probably make
sense to investigate the possibility of using 220 for all of them.
When it comes to pumps, one manufacturer of ANSI units
recommends ISO 46 and another recommends ISO 68, yet their
pumps are functionally the same. The truth is, either product
could be used. The OEMs' different recommendations are just
different opinions as to what is optimum.
There's no need to go overboard with technical consolidations.
A good way to begin is with low-use products. If your site uses 30
different lubricants, chances are, some of them are only used in a
few places and should be considered candidates for consolidation.

Moving forward
If you and others at your site are uncomfortable making lubricant-consolidation decisions, enlist the help of a consultant or a
technical resource from your lubricant supplier. "Any deviations
from OEM recommendations," Potteiger cautioned, "should be
considered from a systematic perspective and approved by the
OEM and/or the lubricant manufacturer."
Although lubricant consolidation is usually not the biggest
opportunity for improvement in a precision-lubrication
program, Potteiger said it offers substantial value. By eliminating redundancies and low-volume items, you can store less
and buy fewer products in larger amounts, an approach that

often reduces the price. A site can also consolidate products to
a single source, which streamlines purchasing and increases
leverage with the supplier. Finally, if you are considering
updating your lubricant storage and handling facilities,
lubricant consolidation will keep you from buying equipment
you may not need.
Remember that the best way to feel confident about consolidating your lubricants is to become educated. Multiple sources
offer training in accordance with ICML (International Council
for Machinery Lubrication) certification guidelines. MT
For additional details on this topic and other lubrication best
practices, visit descase.com.
Editor's Note: Additional issues related to lubricant-consolidation
efforts are covered in Ken Bannister's June 2017 article on
recycling and disposing of old oil on p. 38.

LEARN MORE

For more information, see:

American Petroleum Institute (api.org)
National Lubricating Grease Institute (nlgi.org)
International Council of Machinery Lubrication (icmlonline.com)
Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (stle.org)

Global AM Pillar Lead
MOLSONCOORS BREWING COMPANY
June 22, 1 pm CST
Hank Ward
Sponsored by SpheraTM

MRO Data Governance >>> Enduring Asset Performance
Companies involved in rapid growth through mergers and acquisitions grapple with a series of integration
challenges such as multiple unconnected systems, processes and data, a situation that could result in
unplanned downtime and increased MRO expense.
MRO data optimization and governance is foundational to an organization's Asset Management ecosystem. This webinar will
provide expert insight and "lessons learned" via a case study showcasing a large multi-national company's approach to MRO
data optimization.
You will learn about their journey to operational excellence:
* From an enterprise footprint including multiple sites and
SAP instances, data in several languages, and more than
250,000 material records.

* To a high-value milestone in the MRO value chain with
minimal duplication, removal of obsolete items, and
established nomenclature and protocols

Irrespective of whether you are implementing new technology, executing staff / resource reorganizations, or integrating
acquisitions and mergers, the step by step approach outlined in this webinar will enable you to keep your eye on the importance
of "good data" while streamlining your processes. Sign up today!
maintenancetechnology.com/spherawebinar
®2017 Sphera. All Rights Reserved.

JUNE 2017

MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM | 27

http://www.descase.com http://www.api.org http://www.nlgi.org http://www.icmlonline.com http://www.stle.org http://www.maintenancetechnology.com/spherawebinar http://www.MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology June 2017