Latest Thinking

Many organizations mistakenly believe they do not have enough money or resources to implement a lubrication excellence program. In this video, Noria’s Alex Meza explains three ways to overcome this common misconception and why the problem is often not a lack of resources but rather how they are allocated. Learn how you can obtain buy-in →

Varnish is a common problem in machines that operate at high temperatures. It occurs when oil cooks to the surface of machinery components. In this video, Noria’s Jasson Brook explains why varnish can be difficult to remove and how you can prevent it in your machines. Take the next step. Learn the typical sequence of →

Documenting routine tasks such as regreasing bearings or changing the oil in gearboxes is an essential part of an effective lubrication program, but very few plants actually do it. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains the importance of recording these procedures used by your lubrication technicians and offers some key considerations for creating →

Oil filters are a wealth of information. They can provide important clues about the health of your machines and your oil. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains how you can analyze your oil filters and what you should be looking for to ensure better machine reliability. Take the next step. Learn the 12 questions →

Often overlooked by plant personnel, a microscope is a simple tool that can help you understand what is happening inside your machine. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains how even an inexpensive microscope will enable you to analyze the shape of wear debris and diagnose machine health. Discover how to identify the different →

High-speed applications like fans, blowers and pillow-block bearings often use the wrong lubricant, especially when they involve greased components. These high-speed applications also tend to run hotter, which causes the lubricant and the component to break down quicker. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains how you can control this excess heat by selecting the →

To help ensure your oil samples are as accurate as possible, it is important to flush your sampling equipment. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains which sampling hardware and accessories should be flushed as well as when and how much flushing is required in order to send representative oil samples to the laboratory. →

Lubricant manufacturers typically provide the viscosity for their products at 40 and 100 degrees C. The amount of change in the viscosity in relation to the temperature is known as the lubricant’s viscosity index. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains why the viscosity index is important, which types of lubricants tend to have a →

How often should you regrease your bearings? A number of variables must be considered, including the temperature, speed and load. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains why the type of element in use should not be overlooked and how this can influence the relubrication frequency. Take the next step. If you are uncertain →

Water contamination can affect machines in a variety of ways, including leading to a chemical breakdown of the oil or lubricant. This is known as hydrolysis. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains the effects hydrolysis can have on your oil as well as how to determine if your lubricant is prone to hydrolyze. Take →

When oil aeration occurs, air bubbles can become suspended throughout a hydraulic or circulating system, darkening the oil or making it appear cloudy. Air entrainment can also lead to other issues such as foaming, cavitation and an increased oxidation rate. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains how you can reduce air entrainment and →

Wire ropes and cables are used in a number of different applications, but they can be difficult to lubricate. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash discusses two important factors you should consider when selecting a lubricant for these unique components in order to reduce friction and prevent rust and corrosion. Take the next step. If →

Although beta ratios and micron ratings are typically the first considerations when assessing an oil filter, perhaps the most crucial attribute of any filter is its dirt-holding capacity. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains which types of filters can hold more dirt and why this is important, as well as how you can →

Sometimes a single oil sampling port just isnt’ enough. Oil analysis can reveal the health of your lubricant and machines, but in complex pieces of equipment, a single sampling point is often not sufficient to determine what’s wrong with your machine. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains the differences between primary and secondary sampling ports →

Antifreeze is one of the most common contaminants in motor oil. It can find its way into the oil in a variety of ways and lead to increased viscosity, mechanical wear and acidity. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash details the bad side effects that antifreeze contamination can cause once it gets inside your →

New machinery is sometimes subjected to a break-in process. While there is considerable debate about if and how this should be done, one important consideration is the type of break-in fluid to use. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains how certain break-in fluids can reduce wear and help make the machine more efficient. Take →

Sight glasses are like small windows into your machines. They provide a quick visual indication of what is going on inside your equipment. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains the many advantages of bull’s-eye sight glasses and how they can confirm that your oil level is correct. Take the next step. Learn essential →

When choosing a motor oil for your vehicle, do you know what to look for or do you just buy the brand and viscosity grade that you want? In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash explains what the different symbols, letters and numbers on a quart of oil mean so you can be sure to select →

There are a variety of options for keeping contaminants out of machines, but one that should not be overlooked is the type of seal being used. Seals not only can keep contaminant ingression in check, but they can also prevent lubricant from leaking out of the machine. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash discusses →

Oil analysis programs can offer a huge return on your investment. They also can easily fail to provide those returns if not managed properly. In this video, Noria’s Bennett Fitch explains how to avoid three of the most common reasons why an oil analysis program fails. Take the next step. Learn which oil sampling methods →

While all oil additives serve a purpose, extreme-pressure (EP) additives in gear oils can be very detrimental and lead to the destruction of copper metals. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash explains when you should avoid using EP additives, how to know if an oil has these additives, and why it is important to →

Contaminants and extreme temperatures can severely affect the life and performance of your lubricants. In this video, Noria’s Mike Brown explains the importance of storing lubricants indoors and away from any type of contamination as well as some of the best methods for keeping lubricants clean, cool and dry. Take the next step. Learn guidelines →

How can maintenance at your facility become more proactive? More than just a buzzword, proactive should be an organization’s philosophy or way of life. In this video, Noria’s Wes Cash details the three key steps that must be followed for proactive maintenance so you can effectively monitor and correct the root causes of equipment failure. →

Water is known to be very damaging to oil and machines. It is often referred to as the second most destructive contaminant. In this video, Noria expert Wes Cash discusses the different states of water in oil so you can recognize its presence and determine where it is coming from and how to remove it. →

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential for evaluating the success of a lubrication program. In this video, Noria’s Alex Meza reveals some of the most common KPIs in industry and how they can be used to monitor the effectiveness of lubrication at your plant. Take the next step. Find out how to implement metrics to →

In condition-based maintenance, there are two general philosophies: predictive maintenance and proactive maintenance. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Noria expert Jim Fitch explains the different strategies, methods and goals for each of these maintenance philosophies so you can choose the right one for your plant. Take the next →

The practice of over-greasing bearings not only is a waste of grease, but it can also drastically shorten bearing life. In this video, Noria’s Mike Brown reveals what you should know to avoid overgreasing so you can keep grease in your bearings and not on the plant floor. Take the next step. Learn the best →

Effective oil analysis doesn’t always have to involve a laboratory. Meaningful information can be obtained with a few quick onsite inspections. In this video, Noria’s Jeremy Wright describes three useful tests that you can perform in the field to evaluate the health of your lubricant. Take the next step. Learn other essential field inspections that →

Energy is often wasted due to the misapplication of lubricants. A common problem is mismatching the lubricant viscosity to the machine’s requirements. Noria expert Wes Cash explains what can happen when too much viscosity is added as well as the dangers of applying too much grease and oil. Take the next step. Learn more about →

Grease color has the ability to provide important information. In this video, Noria’s Bennett Fitch explains that while grease may darken due to harsh operating or environmental conditions, grease manufacturers use color simply to identify the type of grease and to make it more appealing. Take the next step. Find out more about greases and how →

World-class oil analysis programs focus on obtaining quality live zone oil samples. In this video, Noria’s Jim Fitch describes what live-zone sampling involves as well as how it can provide the most representative oil sample and the best understanding of a machine’s health. Take the next step. Learn industry best practices for used oil sampling, →

Before greasing a bearing, there are several things you need to know, such as how much grease to put into the bearing and the output volume of the grease gun. Noria’s Mike Brown explains how to avoid overgreasing by properly calculating the volume of your bearings as well as the average quantity for each pump →

Oil contamination from dirt has been proven to be the No. 1 killer of industrial machinery. In this video, Noria expert Jeremy Wright reveals three quick and easy tips that you can use to improve fluid cleanliness for a more reliable plant. Take the next step. Learn more contamination control strategies to extend machine life →

In oil analysis, additive depletion is often used to estimate the remaining useful life of the oil. Noria expert Jim Fitch explains the two main types of additive depletion and why it is important for additives to deplete in order to save the oil, the machine or both. Take the next step. Learn how to →