If you work in the manufacturing industry and you would like to maintain your machinery well, particle analysis is one the most important tests that you can perform. Testing the size and amount of foreign matter in a given oil sample can easily help identify whether or not your machine is likely to malfunction due to lubricant issues in the near future. Scientists or technicians will extract, classify, and visually test wear debris and other foreign contaminants to see how they pertain to the well-being of your machine. Particle analysis is used as a non-intrusive method of examining parts of a machine that rely heavily on oil. By examining particles found in the machine's lubricant, you will be able to determine information about the machine's condition. Because they are used to grease and cool down each moving part, lubricants pass each surface of your machine. When they visit these parts, they collect shavings, dirt, and solid contaminants and return them to other parts of the machine. When you collect a sample of the oil, you are testing a compound that has made contact with each lubricated surface of the equipment. Raw data may be deduced by examining the shapes of particles, their size distribution, their consistency, and their composition. The attributes of these particles are amazingly specific and their accuracy in predicting the future behavior of your machine is astonishing. For example, if, during testing, metallic debris is found, this debris can prove that not only is wear taking place, but you may also have corrosion or rust forming within your equipment. It is important to review your results with both the technician that conducted your test and a qualified maintenance mechanic that can diagnose future issues based on the results. Particle analysis is a brilliant shortcut that is used to save time and manpower. In order to evaluate your machine in a similar manner without this form of testing, you would have to disassemble it to find out if there is internal damage. This simple exam predicts equipment failure catastrophes before they happen. The manufacturing industry has realized the inherent value of wear particle analysis and has been incorporating it more in the last decade than it has in the past 50 years that the process has been in use. The test has saved millions of dollars in replacement parts and major maintenance overhauls, and it limits the amount of downtime that you may encounter if your machine falls into disrepair. Learn more about particle analysis by using the resources at http://www.spectrosci.com/company/.
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