| Book ReviewLubrication for Industry
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Lubrication for Industry
Hardcover: 256 pages
Contents
Our ReviewThis is a great little book which provides a concise, and informative introduction to Lubrication principles, lubricants and lubrication systems for those who may not be familiar with this area. The preface to this book explains that this book is written for "oilers, lubricators, millwrights, mecahnics, electricians, reliability professionals, planners, maintenance supervisors, maintenance managers, production supervisors, production managers, facility managers, purchasing professionals, operations managers, plant managers, and any person interested in improving availability, reliability and life cycle management of their plant equipment." This is a pretty wide audience, but there is something valuable in this book for all of these people. The first chapter contains a brief history of lubrication - beginning with prehistoric times, and moving through the industrial revolution to the present day. There are a number of fascinating snippets of information in here, not the least of which is the revelation (to me at least) that up until 1923, automobiles required rigorous daily lubircation of upwards of fifty chassis lubrication points. Chapter Two builds the business case for improved lubrication practices. In particular, it refers to the 1966 Jost report in the UK, which considered that, at the time, over 500 million Pounds Sterling could be saved through improved lubrication practices. Chapter Three then outlines the key elements of lubircation theory, friction and wear - setting the scene for future chapters. The various forms of friction are efficiently explained in this chapter. Lubricants, and the various forms that they take, are covered in Chapter Four. Animal/Vegetable oils, Mineral Oils, and Synthetic Oils are all discussed. The chapter also covers the key properties and characteristics of lubricants, including Viscosity, Viscosity Index, Pour Point, Flash Point and more. Oil Standards, including ISO standards, ASTM standards, IP standards and DIN standards are also covered in this chapter, as well as additives, and their characteristics. Similar coverage is also given to greases. This chapter also includes a very valuable section on dispensing grease, and why the seemingly benign greae gun is, indeed, a "lethal weapon" in the hands of an untrained operator.. Chapter Five, titled "How Much and How Often?" explains the way to calculate bearing lubrication requirements. It also discusses the dangers of overlubrication. Chapter Six gives comprehensive coverage of the different types of lubrication delivery systems, from manual systems, to fully automatic systems, and more. For those involved in selecting and installing lubrication systems, this chapter is an invaluable introduction to the options available, and the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Chapter Seven discusses Preventive and Predictive maintenance, but, from a maintenance perspective, is perhaps the least satisfactory chapter in this book. There is relatively superficial coverage of the different forms of oil analysis available, and little guidance given regarding how to interpret the results of this analysis. However there is very valuable discussion of the need to include specific instructions for lubrication of each point if proper lubrication practices are to be followed. Chapter Eight discusses the practicalities of safely handling and storing lubricants, and outlines the value of cleanliness and orderliness in the lubrication storeroom. Finally, Chapter Nine discusses oil filtration, the value of filtering oil, and the various oil cleanliness standards that exist. Overall, this is a concise and valuable text, that would be a suitable reference volume in any Maintenance and Engineering library.
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