Condition Monitoring
LE Xamine® Oil Analysis
Safely Extends Oil Drain Intervals, equipment life, Identifies minor problems
LE Xtract® Oil Sight Glasses
Pumps, Gearboxes, Storage Tanks, Fluid-lubricated machinery
Premium Lubricants For Reliability-Centered Maintenance Savings
Proper lubrication of machinery is the single most significant contributor to the long, problem free life of your machinery. It is estimated that 75% of all bearing failures are due to lubrication issues. Whether these failures are caused by contamination or just the wrong lubricant, the value of proper lubrication cannot be overstated.
You cannot manage what you don’t measure. Contamination, fuel dilution, additive depletion, viscosity and high wear counts all affect the performance and longevity of your equipment. We offer expertise and tools to help you set goals, ensure the use of the correct monitoring tools for your application and accurate interpretation of results for maximum ROI.
All lubricants are a combination of base oil and multiple chemical additives designed to eliminate, minimize or delay the negative effects of contaminants on the base oil. As the oil functions inside your assets, the additives that protect the base oil are depleted over time, sacrificed to the continued life of the molecular structure of that base oil. Once the additives have been depleted beyond their function, contaminants will begin to compromise the stability of the base oil. The depletion of additives may be accelerated under high operating temperatures, exposure to moisture and/or particulates. Left unchecked, the degradation of that base oil will compromise it’s performance in the equipment, resulting in under-performance and, ultimately, costly equipment failure.
Monitoring the condition of the fluids that protect your equipment is the cornerstone a a world class reliability-centered maintenance program.
Analysis of lubricating oil, greases and hydraulic fluids gives a fast and accurate picture of what is happening inside power generators, gearboxes, compressors, hydraulic systems and other critical machines. It also yields vital information on the condition of the oil itself. Effective monitoring of lube oil allows maintenance to be scheduled efficiently, minimizing the risk of damage to expensive plants and avoiding unscheduled downtime.
Predicting Machine Failure with Condition Monitoring
Real Experiences in Reliability-Centered Maintenance Savings
It’s been widely reported that 80% (or more!) of wear and tear on your expensive machinery is due entirely to the presence of microscopic particulates in the lubricants that enable operation. And the damage, once done, is irreversible.
These microscopic particulates can be as small as 0.0001 micron (one example is smog) and range up to 10,000 microns (examples include rain, gravel and beach sand).
The human eye is capable of seeing only those particulates over 10-20 microns in size and when you consider that a human hair is difficult to see at 40 – 100 microns in size, you’re left to conclude that there is a lot of damage going on that you cannot even see with the naked eye.
In fact, compare the size of those microscopic particulates with the clearances between the components in the servo valves, bearings, vane pumps and gear pumps. If a mere 0.5 to 5 micron clearance exists for the lubricant film thickness to protect those components from wear and tear, then even the smallest of microscopic particulates becomes an obvious threat to the performance of your expensive machinery.
If you can’t see it, how can you predict imminent machine failure? The foundation of any successful lubricant reliability program is laid with a comprehensive condition monitoring program. A combination of regular fluid analysis combined with additional monitoring tools including sight glasses, desiccant breathers and specialized monitoring equipment like Fluitec’s Ruler can bring those otherwise invisible particulates into stark focus, arming you with the information you need to keep lubricants clean, cool and dry and your expensive equipment up and running.
With consistent, accurate monitoring of the condition of your oil – whether in an engine, gearbox, circulating system or mainline power generation turbine – implementation of a condition monitoring program will help you improve your bottom line with less lubricant to purchase, fewer parts to keep in inventory, less used lubricant to dispose of, less labor required for repairs and significantly reduce equipment downtime.
Fluitec - Measure. Consult. Treat.
The Ruler® V™ Lubrication Monitoring by Fluitec
The RULER® V™ is an advanced diagnostic tool designed to provide you with comprehensive insights into the antioxidant health of your lubricants. Think of it as a clear window into the condition of your fluids, allowing you to make informed decisions that protect your equipment and keep your operations running smoothly.
Unlike devices that attach directly to your equipment, the RULER® V™ is a laboratory instrument used to test samples of your lubricants. Here’s how it works:
First, you’ll collect a sample of the lubricant from your heavy equipment or industrial machinery. This sample is then analyzed using the RULER® V™ instrument, which measures the remaining levels of antioxidants in the fluid. Antioxidants are essential for preventing oxidation and degradation, so understanding their levels is critical for maintaining lubricant effectiveness.
The RULER® V™ provides you with detailed data on the condition of your lubricant, showing how much of its protective qualities remain. This information helps you determine whether the lubricant is still fit for use or if it needs to be replaced to avoid costly wear and tear on your equipment.
By incorporating the RULER® V™ into your condition monitoring program, you can regularly test your lubricants, monitor their condition over time, and predict when they might fail. This proactive approach allows you to plan maintenance activities more effectively, extending the life of your equipment and minimizing downtime.
The RULER® V™ is more than just a testing tool—it’s a critical part of ensuring the reliability and efficiency of your operations.
MPC Color – Handheld Visual Spectrophotometer by Fluitec
The MPC Color™ is a cutting-edge handheld spectrophotometer designed to provide rapid, on-site assessment of your oil’s varnish potential. Varnish build-up in your equipment can lead to serious operational issues, but with the MPC Color™, you can stay ahead of these problems by detecting and addressing varnish risks before they escalate.
Using the Membrane Patch Colorimetry (MPC™) test, this device allows you to quickly and cost-effectively evaluate the condition of your lubricants. The MPC Color™ offers real-time analysis, enabling you to make immediate decisions about maintenance and oil replacement. Whether you’re in the field or in a plant, this portable tool gives you the power of advanced laboratory testing in a convenient, handheld format.
The MPC Color™ captures data with impressive precision, storing results in both text and audio formats for easy analysis. This means you can quickly review and interpret the data, ensuring that your equipment remains in peak condition without the need for costly downtime.
With the MPC Color™, you’re equipped with a scientifically robust tool that brings laboratory-level accuracy to your site. It’s not just about measuring varnish potential—it’s about maintaining the health of your machinery, optimizing performance, and preventing unexpected failures. The MPC Color™ makes this process simple, effective, and accessible, all in one compact, powerful device.
Lubricants - Small Cost, Huge Returns
Lubrication Management Programs Protect Your Assets and Save You Money:
Although lubricants make up a mere 3% of the typical maintenance budget; using ineffective products, techniques and applications can have a significant impact on the lubrication-related costs that make up 40% of that budget. A Lubrication Management Program designed by the Technical Consultants at Lubrication Technologies, Inc. can help you target those areas where you see red.
- Your equipment and components will last longer, run more efficiently and more reliably, and you won’t replace equipment or components prematurely
- Your labor force will spend less time on routine lubrication-related maintenance and no time on lubricant-related equipment failures
- You’ll reduce over-all lubricant consumption as well as waste
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