Fluid Management – Sustainable maintenance of fluids
Fluid management refers to the entirety of services relating to liquid working media. This includes analyzing (monitoring) and conditioning operating media, as well as recording and evaluating consumption. The term refers in particular to:
Hydraulic oils from work machines
Cooling lubricants
(Source: WIKIPEDIA https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluidmanagement (09.01.23)
Fluid management in relation to hydraulic oils – then and now
Fluid management for hydraulic oils is an important part of machine and system maintenance and is unfortunately still often neglected or carried out improperly.
During my training as a toolmaker in the punching and forming technology department (it was a few days ago :-)), the task of the trainees in the first year of training was to “maintain” the machines, usually on Mondays. For the most part, these were simple lathes, milling machines and other cutting machines, including CNC-controlled machines.
We were “allowed” to clean and lubricate the guides and check and refill the central lubrication system. We also changed a filter from time to time. It was important that we used the right oil. I can’t guarantee that this was always adhered to 100%, after all it was a Monday and when you’re 17 or 18 you have other things to worry about at 7:00 in the morning… At the time, this activity really annoyed me, even though I made the most of the time for detailed discussions with colleagues.
Today, some 20 years later, I see things differently and sometimes miss the commitment of those responsible in a wide variety of areas and companies. The machines and systems are more complex, more expensive, partially automated down to the last corner and yet there is a lack of awareness and understanding of this issue.
In contrast to back then, I now enjoy supporting companies with these tasks. We therefore update this website from time to time with information on a wide range of topics relating to oil care.
Overview of fluid care
If we assume that the machine and system manufacturer has implemented a holistic, well-thought-out concept for oil supply, filtration and lubrication, the main topics are as follows:
- Selection of the correct hydraulic oil (usually specified by the manufacturer)
- Regularly check and top up the oil
- Periodic inspection and replacement of filter elements if necessary
- The cleanliness of the (external) area of the hydraulics should be regularly checked and ensured to prevent dirt from being introduced when filling the oil or changing the filter
- Seals on rotary feedthroughs, cylinders, wipers, etc. must be checked regularly and replaced if necessary. This is often the cause of excessive dirt entering the system
- It may make sense to change the oil regularly, but it must be ensured that the entire system is also flushed. Otherwise the residual dirt in the system will contaminate the fresh medium within a few hours.
- Depending on the machine and application, there are additional points that must be observed
- Don’t forget, leaks must be repaired and stopped immediately
If these basic points are observed and, in the best case, documented, there will at least be no major surprises or machine downtimes.
An analog or digital maintenance log is suitable for documentation. This may even be intended by the manufacturer.
Useful addition(s)
In addition to the “classic” oil care, there are, depending on the application, useful additions which I would like to list here:
- Regular inspection of oil quality and purity in cooperation with an oil laboratory (e.g. https://de. oelcheck.com/ )
- Retrofitting an off-line filter
- Retrofitting of sensors, e.g. particle monitor, humidity sensor, oil quality sensor, temperature sensor, etc.
- Filling the system using a filter unit (prevents dirt from entering during filling)
- If there are persistent problems with the oil quality and purity, it may make sense to change the oil type, but this should be done in cooperation with the manufacturer. There are many products and promises on the market…
Off-line filters and status sensors
Numerous manufacturers offer bypass filters and oil condition sensors, and you can also find a small selection here:
Bypass filter: http://schuhmacher-tech.de/produkte/hydraulikfilterfilter-filterelemente/nebenstromfilter/
Sensors: http://schuhmacher-tech.de/produkte/fluidmanagement-oelzustandssensoren/
simplicity is the key – practical and simple
Shooting sparrows with cannons is certainly not the right approach.
We are fundamentally in favor of a simple and practical solution. It doesn’t help anyone to install sensors and filters, just that you’ve done something and have a good “feeling”.
If there is a problem with oil cleanliness and oil quality, the first and most important thing to do is to investigate the cause. The remedying of these causes then begins with appropriate solutions.
And this can vary greatly from system to system.
Do you have any special topics that I can support you with? Feel free to contact me, I will be happy to help you!
Lars Benk: Profile of a field-tested expert
Basic training: Tool mechanic, specializing in stamping and forming technology.
Further training: State-certified technician with a focus on mechanical engineering.
Additional qualification: Degree in technical business administration, combining technical know-how with business expertise.
Professional experience: More than a decade of active work in the field of hydraulics.
Specialization: Certified specialist in oil analysis (MLA II – Machine Lubrication Specialist), with a specific focus on the maintenance and optimization of machines through professional lubricant analysis. Certified specialist for hydraulic fluids – specialist knowledge for optimal hydraulic systems.
