Keywords
Citation
(1999), "BP monitors the country's leading machine tool operators", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 51 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1999.01851fad.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
BP monitors the country's leading machine tool operators
New products and materials
BP monitors the country's leading machine tool operators
Keywords: BP, Machine tools
BP Industrial Lubricants' lndic-8 oil based condition monitoring programme is playing a crucial role in reducing oil consumption and maintenance time for the UK's leading machine tool operators such as Alstom Energy.
The installations, weighing up to 400 tonnes, are capable of machining work pieces which themselves are around 200 tonnes. The equipment maybe big, but these machines are designed to work to very fine tolerances.
Three years ago Alstom decided to use lndic-8 to help identify potential problem areas in pumps, valves and other parts of the hydraulic and hydrostatic units, which form the essential power and control systems for the machines.
Maintenance supervisor Jim Seward commented, "Condition monitoring allows us to establish a base line and then track the machines' condition enabling us to identity when any abnormal activity occurs. BP indic-8 gives us advanced warning of any problems, allowing us to rectify them before they develop into what could otherwise be a very expensive breakdown".
BP Industrial Lubricants' specialists provide a regular report based on lubricant samples submitted for each machine. If any potential problems are identified, the reports are classified as red and immediately sent to the company by fax.
As well as saving downtime, condition monitoring has also allowed Alstom to extend the service life of their hydraulic fluid. "The oil sampling programme also tells us about the condition of the oil itself, so we can safely manage its service life", said Jim Seward. Now that they are using BP premium grade Bartran hydraulic oil, they only need to change oil every three to four years, a considerable improvement over the previous six monthly oil change cycle.
For further information contact Jo Dale or Richard Chapman, Wyatt PR, 72 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B168SP. Tel: +44 (0) 121454 8181; Fax: +44 (0) 121455 9785; E-mail: jdale@wyatt-inter.co.uk