Hello,


I've been tasked with finding a new oil analysis lab for my company. Our current lab is more an automotive type lab. What we want to do is become more predictive in our program. Most of our equipment is gearboxes, although some critical equipment uses hydraulic oils in reservoirs and bearing housings. With the increased cost of oil, some of our company goals are extended oil drains, as well as predicting failures before they happen.

Unfortunately, this will be the only technology used for the time being. Eventfully we will be adding ultrasound and infrared analysis.

I would appreciate any ideas, stories (horror or otherwise), and pitfalls.

Thanking you guys in advance,

J.sypien

I have had very good experience with Wear Check. You might want to read some of their articles they have on their website to. They have some very informative articles that cover how to set up a good UOA program and what the results mean. http://www.wearcheck.com/literature/ Just click on the technical documents link for a full list of their articles.

Extending drain intervals is one great advantage of having a good UOA program. It can help to cut maintenance cost along with extending equipment life. Don't go overboard with extending drain intervals at the start. I do it in 15-20% steps. For example, if you currently do a oil change at 1000 hours on a piece of equipment you would do your first UOA at 1000 hours. If it comes back ok, go to 1200 hours and resample. Keep extending by 15-20% until you reach the limit and then set your drain interval at one step lower.

Example:
1000 hour test First test, OK
1200 hour test test, OK
1400 hour test test, OK
etc...
2200 hour test test, OK
2400 hour test test, shows fluid should be changed.

In this example I would run the oil changes to 2000 or 2200 hours. Continue to take samples at set times through the oil's life though to check for failure indicators. The price of doing 5 or 10 UOA's over a fluids life to check for failure indicators is cheap if compared to the cost of changing out large quantities of fluid and in preventing failures.

If you are using a high quality lubricant manufacturer you may find you get UOA's for free with the product. Check with your supplier.

We work with Herguth Lab. Check out their web site www.herguth.com. They are a full service lab and will set up test packages to fit your needs.

Pete

U want lab in which country.

In the US, I know these as the best:


www.analystsinc.com
Analysts, Inc.
800-222-0071


http://www.herguth.com/
Herguth Laboratories
101 Corporate Place
Vallejo, CA 94590
707 554 4611

Clark Laboratories, LLC
Jefferson Hills PA
(412) 387-1001 X 177

http://www.pltlab.com/
Petro Lubricants testing laboratories
Lafayette, NJ 07848
Phone 973-579-3448