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Modification recommendations: These recommendations take into account the hardware attached
to a machine and any additional recommended hardware that can minimize the labor, downtime, and
potential contamination associated with lubrication-related tasks. Hardware modifications also might
include oil sampling valves that avoid the need to shut down a production line. Grease-line
extensions can allow for easy access to components that might otherwise be inaccessible without a
shutdown.
Procedure assignments: Lubrication procedures are developed for each machine component based
on data collected during the walkdown. Oil sumps will be reviewed with respect to size, existing
modifications, and scope requirements to assign appropriate procedures.
Quality verification and approval: Once the lubrication design is complete, the lubrication
program project manager should verify the components in the lubrication design conform to industry
best practices and the items specified in the project scope. The project manager and consultant
should identify equipment requiring additional consideration because of any specialized operating
concerns, environmental concerns, or other known factors. These items will be reviewed further to
develop a specific lubrication maintenance plan for each relevant asset.
“Research shows that filling a bearing to about one-third of
capacity is optimum for controlling a bearing’ s operating
temperature.”
Once consensus is reached and the project manager approves the design, the next step is to
determine lubrication routes based on the number of components, quantity of tasks, and the required
intervals. Additional site-specific route requirements might be required. These might include, but
aren’t limited to, the production line, plant areas, required lubricant, and operational considerations
such as washdown or lock out/tag out requirements.
Phase IV — Sustainability
Like most programs, the RCL program is never complete. It’s a living organism that’s constantly
changing, growing, and shrinking. New equipment is installed and old equipment removed. Key
personnel retire, and new people step into their positions. Continuous monitoring and improvements
are required to maintain the program at an optimal level. Sustaining the program might include a
follow-up analysis as a method of benchmarking the implementation progress. Phase IV also could
include a combination of Phase II and Phase III that addresses the plant’s current program needs and
additional deliverables.