When the gears stop turning
Fourth Quarter 2007
Other technologies
The type of gear oil selected for a specific application can have a significant effect on operational costs, but what are the consequences of choosing oil that does not perform?
One consequence is unscheduled downtime. Operators need to use every strategy they can to maintain operational efficiency and minimise overall costs. Factoring in high performance lubrication to address the issue of unscheduled downtime can help maximise productivity.
Water contamination is one of the most common problems in the management of gearboxes. Just 1% of water in the gearbox can reduce bearing life by 90%, but this does not have to be the case.
Shell Lubricants SA's Peter Thorpe comments, "The threat of water contamination is inescapable in any industrial environment where process water, cleaning practices, leaking heat exchangers, condensation and the weather are all potential factors that allow water into the system."
According to Thorpe, even though water is an unavoidable operational risk, most of the damage it can cause is avoidable, through a combination of good maintenance practices and careful selection of high quality gear oil that quickly disperses water.
Shell Lubricants has revitalised its range of mineral and synthetic industrial gear oils to meet the demands of modern machinery. Shell Omala, Shell Omala HD and Shell Tivela S gear oils have been specially formulated to limit the dangers of water contamination, prolong gear life and reduce unscheduled downtime, all of which can help industrial companies reduce their overall operating costs and improve profitability.
A purchasing decision based purely on lower cost per litre could lead to greater overall costs. "Operators should take an overall view on cost savings and use high quality gear oils to help maximise productivity," concludes Thorpe.
For more information contact Andrew Evans, Shell SA, +27 (0)11 996 7264, [email protected], www.shell.com
Further reading:
First recyclable plastic bicycle frame
igus
Other technologies
Industrial polymer developer and manufacturer, igus has unveiled the first injection-moulded polymer bicycle frame designed for advanced bikes, marking a major milestone in sustainable mobility
Read more...
Vibration test system supports international space industry
TANDM Technologies
Other technologies
Dragonfly Aerospace has launched EOS SAT-1, one of seven satellites in the world’s first agricultural-focused constellation. With optimisation of resources being a key component for Dragonfly, it called on TANDM to assist in creating and heavily expanding its environmental testing capabilities by providing a vibration test system that allowed it to perform in-house vibration and shock testing.
Read more...
RS PRO a key partner for planned maintenance
RS South Africa
Other technologies
RS PRO, the own-brand of RS, offers a comprehensive selection of over 80 000 products spanning all industries and technologies.
Read more...
Addressing water conservation challenges
Other technologies
A recent report by the University of California underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies to improve water conservation efforts. David Strain, director at Technidrive, and an expert on integrated automation systems, explains why quarrying thickeners have emerged as a promising solution.
Read more...
Oil quality sensors for lubrication management
Other technologies
In an era where operational efficiency and machine health are critical, oil quality sensors are indispensable tools for successful lubrication management.
Read more...
New lubrication-free rod ends
igus
Other technologies
The constant need for relubrication of metallic bearing points on rod ends in industrial applications is a time-consuming and expensive exercise and poses a real contamination risk. As a result, igus has developed maintenance-free polymer-hybrid spherical bearings which are a safer and more cost-effective alternative.
Read more...
Millions of tons of grease and oil in our waterways and environment
igus
Other technologies
Shocking statistics reveal that approximately 50% of lubricants used on industrial machines and equipment eventually makes their way into the environment, where just one litre of used oil has the capacity to poison about a million litres of water.
Read more...
Versatile lubricants for all applications
Other technologies
Good lubrication reduces friction, which in turn increases the lifespan of mechanical components. Commercial products that are used in intensive applications like wire ropes at mining and mining processing facilities are not always considered for other less intensive uses.
Read more...
Articulated forklift truck revolutionises warehouse operations
Other technologies
With the warehouse industry requiring ever-greater efficiencies, Toyota Material Handling has introduced an articulated forklift truck that revolutionises warehouse operations and promises heightened agility, unmatched precision, and elevated safety standards.
Read more...
Smart lubrication management solutions for agriculture
SKF South Africa
Other technologies
The developments in agricultural equipment to meet the increasing demand for higher efficiencies, performance, reliability, and reduced emissions are resulting in tolerances becoming finer and finer.SKF has developed a sophisticated range of lubricants and application systems that address these requirements.
Read more...
printer friendly version