JUNE - 20218 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSIN MY OPINIONIncreased competition from the global marketplace continues to challenge operations and maintenance departments to find a better way. Supervisors, Managers, and Executives all have an ear to the ground and are looking for ways to reduce the bottom line. Due to this involvement of upper management, total cost of ownership (TCO) metrics are applied to maximize value, provide checks and balances, and ensure the immediate benefits are aligned with long term gains. As maintenance programs examine TCO projects, a decision for a maintenance program will begin to develop. Whether it be predictive, preventative, or run-to-failure, it is imperative to make decisions based on a collective dataset, which includes all pertinent information. As it pertains to industrial fluids, one factor that heavily effects TCO of a lubricant or metalworking fluid is filtration.When developing a filtration program, it is necessary to understand contaminants, filtrate, equipment tolerances, and operational conditions. The contaminant can take the form of fluid, miscible or immiscible, or as a solid particle, macro or micro. Identifying proper filtration would be a trial and error process and could end catastrophically without first gaining an understanding on the contaminant. Once in place, a filtration program can focus on TCO metrics which include scrap rate, tooling consumption, and fluid life. Other potential metrics may include increased operator acceptance and a decrease in unplanned downtime. Considering the above metrics, U.S. Lubricants has extensive experience in guiding customers on proper fluid and filtration recommendations. From helping customers achieve equipment savings relating to hydraulic systems to optimizing productivity in metal forming and metal cutting operations. Developing a Good Filtration ProgramBy Joe Leistikow, Technical Manager & Andrew Martin, Industrial Product Engineer, U.S. Lubricants, a division of U.S. Venture, Inc.Andrew Martin
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