In the digital age, the success of any modern organization lies in its ability to keep up with the increasingly rapid technological evolution. Although it flew under the radar of digitization measures in the last decades, lubrication management is now being recognized by industries as a critical area in asset management and maintenance.
Nowadays, efficient lubrication management is nearly impossible to achieve without innovative technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), smart systems, IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, sophisticated analytics, augmented reality, and more. However, these tools are only as good as the people who use them. Thus, it becomes more crucial to have a properly trained team to handle these technologies to ensure that your organization can get the most out of them and drive results that ultimately lead to your bottom line.
This post will explore the most common technological innovations that teams today can use to achieve efficient lubrication management. It will also discuss the essential strategies to upskill and train teams to empower them to use these innovative tools.
Technologies for Efficient Lubrication Management
Advanced technologies used in lubrication management mainly target common problem areas, which include lubrication monitoring, scheduling, and analysis. The technologies listed below target these common problem areas to ensure that machinery is properly lubricated to reduce downtime, extend equipment life, and minimize maintenance costs.
1. Lubrication Management Software
These include systems such as CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System),
LMS (Lubrication Management Software), and EAM (Enterprise Asset Management). These platforms ensure efficient lubrication management by automating lubrication schedules, tracking inventory, and monitoring asset health. Solutions like Redlist can also provide real-time insights, predictive analytics, and asset-specific lubrication management.
2. Cloud-Based Platforms
These are software or applications that allow lubrication data to be stored and accessed from anywhere using internet connections. These platforms enable maintenance teams to collaborate remotely. Cloud-connected mobile apps also allow users to log lubrication data in real-time, receive alerts, and access asset data in the field, thus increasing efficiency and reducing manual errors.
3. Sensors and IoT Devices
These include sensors that monitor machine conditions and automated lubrication systems that control lubrication. IoT-enabled sensors help predict equipment failure and ensure effective lubrication through real-time monitoring of data such as temperature, vibration, and oil contamination levels. Smart lubrication systems use sensors to automatically apply the right amount of lubricant at the right time, preventing under- or over-lubrication.
4. AI and Machine Learning
These technologies are most useful in predictive maintenance (PdM) and prescriptive analytics. AI can be used to analyze sensor data and, through algorithms, predict equipment failure and suggest optimal lubrication schedules. AI can also recommend specific actions to take, ensuring that the right type and amount of lubricant is applied based on real-time conditions. PdM can also benefit from machine learning models that can learn from past equipment failures to refine lubrication practices over time.
5. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Barcode Technology
These technologies assist in asset tracking and automatic data entry. By assigning RFIDs and barcodes to lubrication tasks, inventory items, equipment, etc., maintenance teams can quickly scan to submit or access information. Such information can be the lubrication history of equipment or stock levels of a spare part. These technologies can also help eliminate manual data entry errors through automatically logging lubrication activities.
6. Digital Twin Technology
This technology involves creating virtual replicas of a machine, equipment, or asset. These replicas or twins serve as models for monitoring and simulating lubrication needs. Maintenance teams can conduct lubrication trials and tests on these digital twins to gather data that will help optimize lubrication performance in the real world.
7. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
AR helps improve the accuracy and speed of lubrication tasks by providing a detailed view of instructions and schematics overlaid onto real-world assets. VR improves training by providing immersive experiences without the need to use live assets.
8. Big Data and Analytics
These technologies improve the success of lubrication and maintenance decisions through data-driven insights, benchmarking, and performance optimization. Analyzing large amounts of data can identify trends that help in improving lubrication practices and forecast future needs. Big data also helps assess and fine-tune lubrication strategies by comparing current performance against industry benchmarks.
9. Robotics and Automation
These technologies take the place of human workers in lubricating machine parts to ensure consistency and reduce errors. They are particularly useful for high-risk or hazardous environments and hard-to-reach areas. Technologies like cobots (collaborative robots) can work alongside human employees, freeing them from risky or repetitive tasks so that they can focus on tasks that require human intuition or creativity.
Upskilling and Training for Efficient Lubrication Management
As lubrication management becomes more technologically driven, organizations must focus on equipping their teams with the right skills to leverage advanced tools and strategies. Implementing technologically advanced solutions will not magically solve your lubrication problems. Ultimately, you need to build a strong foundation to optimize these solutions. That foundation is proper upskilling and training of employees, the ultimate users of these technologies. Here are a few recommendations when upskilling and training employees for efficient lubrication management:
Understand the Basics
When upskilling for effective lubrication practices, covering the foundational knowledge is critical. Technologies can only help you so much. You set your team up for failure if you immediately focus on sophisticated tools without the basic knowledge of lubrication principles such as viscosity, types of lubricants, and their applications. Training should also include the effects of improper lubrication and how common issues such as friction, wear, contamination, and heat buildup arise.
Assess Current Skills and Competency
Look into your team’s current understanding of lubrication management and digital tools. Identify gaps that need to be addressed. If necessary, you can group employees according to their skill level and competency. You can then tailor your training program accordingly. Also, when creating these customized training programs, focus on both technical skills (like using lubrication management software) and theoretical knowledge (such as lubrication fundamentals).
Prioritize Hands-On and Demonstrations
Often, technology training programs focus too much on explaining how the systems work, leaving little room for users to experience them hands-on. Most users learn better by applying the use of the system in their day-to-day work duties. Introduce the devices and tools early while explaining their functionalities. Host live demonstrations of the software, followed by interactive practice sessions to build confidence in its use. Encourage feedback from your employees so that issues can be addressed before the actual launch of the tool.
Incorporate Best Practices
Technological innovations work best when aligned with industry-standard practices. It is easier to integrate and adopt new technologies if lubrication procedures are consistent and follow established protocols. You must first establish clear guidelines on lubrication practices before you can use software to ensure compliance and consistency across the team. Incorporate relevant standards like ISO (International Standards Organisation) and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) recommendations, ensuring the team understands how to apply these within the digital platform.
Encourage Continuous Learning and Adoption
Technologies never stop advancing. Instead, these advancements will become even more rapid over time. As such, employees must never stop learning and upskilling to ensure that they, and by extension, the organization, keep up with the latest advancements in lubrication technology. Encourage this by providing the necessary resources and conducting programs that foster a supportive and collaborative working culture.
Efficient Lubrication Management with Redlist
In today’s maintenance landscape, which is driven by digital tools and technological innovations, proper employee upskilling and training have never been more important. It helps to have powerful lubrication management software like Redlist to help your team fully embrace and adopt new tools and practices.
Redlist is equipped with features like a user-friendly interface, customizable and scalable functionalities, cloud and mobile capabilities, and advanced analytics. Hence, Redlist can jumpstart your upskilling and training journey and provide long-term support for the continuous improvement of your lubrication management program.
コメント