Supply Chain Crisis: Ensure That You Have the Right Lubricants on Hand

With many disruptions in the supply chain in the recent past, it is becoming commonplace for lubricants to have longer lead times, and in some cases, lubricants may not be available at all.

- Wes Cash

Factor: R4M

In these times, it becomes increasingly important to optimize the lubricants we are using, our inventory levels and a host of other programmatic issues that lead to the increased usage and depletion of the lubricant. By making a few adjustments to our processes, we can help ensure that we have the appropriate lubricant on hand and plenty of lead time to backfill our supply when needed.

One of the first items that can be tackled is determining if the proper relubrication intervals and volumes are being followed. This tends to be a bigger issue when dealing with greases than with oils. It is common for bearings and other grease-lubricated components to get relubricated every week or two. When you multiply this across a plant with several hundred to several thousand bearings, it can equate to a large volume of lubricant. If you were to determine proper regreasing frequencies, you might find that the component you are adding grease to every week doesn't actually need to be greased but every couple of months or more. Not only does greasing too frequently result in the overuse of lubricant, but there is a large labor requirement for this as well.

Optimize Volume

As mentioned, frequency is one side of the coin; volume is the other. It is common practice to "grease it until you see it," resulting in the damaging of seals and the overuse of the lubricant. By determining the proper regrease volume, we can help minimize this. Using the right volume of grease not only saves lubricants, but the equipment will operate at a lower temperature, and seals will be maintained in better working order.