Best Practices in Lubrication of Plant Machinery
18 - 19 MARCH 2027
COURSE INTRODUCTION
Effective lubrication is essential to the availability and reliability of plant machinery. Correct lubricant selection, application and care help reduce friction and wear in pumps, motors, gears and other moving components. This two-day programme explains lubrication principles and the practical measures needed to maintain lubricant effectiveness throughout its service life. Participants explore best practices in application systems, bearing and machinery lubrication, contamination control, storage, handling and disposal, supported by discussion of workplace challenges with Elangovan.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:
- Explain friction and wear mechanisms and their effect on machinery reliability.
- Identify lubricant functions, properties, additives and failure mechanisms.
- Compare lubrication application systems and practices that prevent in-service contamination.
- Apply lubrication best practices to rotating machinery and components such as gears, couplings, chains and wire ropes.
- Determine appropriate bearing lubricant type, quantity and replenishment intervals.
- Improve lubricant procurement, storage and handling practices.
- Use lubricant condition monitoring as part of a proactive machinery maintenance strategy.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This programme is suitable for maintenance and mechanical engineers, reliability personnel, technicians, supervisors, lubrication practitioners and plant operations teams responsible for the lubrication, maintenance and condition monitoring of plant machinery.
COURSE CONTENT
- Session 1: Friction, wear and lubrication fundamentals - friction and wear mechanisms, the lubrication process, and the effects of speed and load on machinery availability and reliability.
- Session 2: Lubricant selection and performance - lubricant functions, properties and failure mechanisms; oil versus grease; selection guidelines; additives; lubricant tests and their objectives.
- Session 3: Lubricant application methods - all-loss and reuse systems, oilers, greasing programmes, centralised lubrication, replenishment rates and lubrication intervals.
- Session 4: Lubrication system best practices - storage and working reservoirs, lubricant line sizing and materials, level instrumentation, filters, strainers and filter carts.
- Session 5: Anti-friction bearing lubrication - oil and grease considerations, viscosity requirements, lubricant delivery systems and grease replenishment intervals.
- Session 6: Lubrication of machinery elements - threaded fasteners, torque tightening and lubricant selection; valve stems, springs, electrical switches and contacts, and pneumatic components.
- Session 7: Lubrication of plant equipment - gearboxes, couplings, wire ropes and chains; motor installation and over-greasing risks; motor-bearing condition monitoring; pump bearing-housing sealing and cooling.
- Session 8: Managing the lubrication function - purchasing, lubricant consolidation and storage; control of in-service contamination and removal of water and solids; oil sampling, testing and monitoring; wear-particle detection and interpretation to identify machinery faults and abnormal wear.
