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:
Next-generation motor management solution
Schneider Electric South Africa
News & events Other technologies
Schneider Electric has launched its TeSys Tera motor management solution in the West African market, combining advanced motor protection, digital connectivity and real-time diagnostics for manufacturing, mining and water applications.
Read more...
From concept to execution, unlocking renewable energy
Other technologies
Businesses already understand the benefits of renewable energy, however, as renewable energy solutions become more sophisticated, successful implementation requires a structured decision-making process that aligns technology choices with business objectives.
Read more...
Smarter, more secure electricity networks
Other technologies
As South Africa accelerates the rollout of smart prepaid electricity metering, innovative enclosure technology from PPS is helping utilities improve network security, reduce electricity theft and protect critical electrical infrastructure.
Read more...
Siemens launches SIMATIC AX WinCC Unified Elements
Pneumatic systems & components Other technologies
New engineering tool speeds automation application development, reducing the time required to bring industrial projects to market and empowering automation engineers to build, manage version control, and deploy visualisation engineering projects
Read more...
Decoupling software from hardware for future-proofed process automation
Schneider Electric South Africa
Other technologies
Legacy systems continue to perform admirably; the dilemma is that systems like PLCs, DCS (distributed control systems), SCADA and field devices were designed for deterministic, long-term operations.
Read more...
Duplex worm gears for precision backlash adjustment
Other technologies
KHK USA has introduced duplex worm gears that allow precise backlash adjustment through simple axial movement of the worm shaft, eliminating the need for gearbox housing alterations during assembly or maintenance.
Read more...
Corrosion solution for engine hot testing
Other technologies
Engine internals are at risk for corrosion from water used during hot engine testing and fill and flush activities. Corrosion affects the engine’s like-new appearance and threatens its integrity.
Read more...
Hygienic ultrasonic flow sensor
ifm - South Africa
Other technologies
The SU Puresonic Hygienic ultrasonic sensor from ifm detects flows of conductive and non-conductive media with high precision.
Read more...
Fault analysis for lifting equipment
Other technologies
Ensuring the sustained performance of capital equipment such as crane rails, ropes, hoist rails, gantry rails, and runway beams, which guide lifting equipment and support heavy loads, is essential for safety, reliability, and efficient operation.
Read more...
Bringing true mobile welding capability to SA agriculture
Other technologies
Bolt and Engineering Distributors has launched the new Fronius Ignis Battery. This is a next-generation, battery-powered welding system engineered for mobility, reliability and performance in off-grid agricultural environments.
Read more...
printer friendly version